Everything you need to know about trade show displays, booth design, union labor, and move-in logistics at the OCCC in Orlando, FL.

If you’ve been assigned booth space at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando for the first time, congratulations. You’re about to exhibit at one of the most prestigious trade show venues in the world. But with that prestige comes a level of complexity that first-time exhibitors often underestimate.

Whether you’re launching a sleek 10×10 Orlando exhibit rental setup or going big with a fully custom island display, the OCCC operates on a scale that requires careful preparation, an understanding of specific venue rules and contractor relationships, and ideally an experienced local Orlando trade show company guiding you through every step.

Understanding the Scale of the OCCC

The Orange County Convention Center is not just large, it’s massive by any measure. Understanding its footprint helps you appreciate why advance planning for your exhibition booth in Orlando, FL is non-negotiable.

  • 7M+ sq ft total building space
  • 2.1M+ sq ft of exhibition space
  • 2 buildings: North & South
  • Top 3 largest convention centers in the US

The venue regularly hosts shows with thousands of exhibitors and tens of thousands of attendees making it one of the most traffic-rich environments in the trade show industry. Overhead hanging signs, large-format directional graphics, and digital wayfinding are all critical elements of any Orlando trade show display strategy at the OCCC. The North and South buildings each serve different show profiles, and move-in logistics, dock access, and service contractor setups can vary between them. Work with an Orlando exhibit rental company that has hands-on experience across both buildings.

The Exhibitor Service Kit (ESK): Your Most Important Document

Weeks before every OCCC show, you’ll receive an Exhibitor Service Kit (ESK) — a comprehensive package of information, order forms, and deadlines from the show organizer and its official service contractors. Missing the ESK or ignoring its deadlines is one of the most costly mistakes a first-time exhibitor can make.

What the ESK Covers

  • Booth space assignment and exact dimensions

  • Show rules and exhibit regulations (height limits, aisle setbacks, hanging sign approvals)

  • Ordering forms for all official services (carpet, electrical, rigging, AV, internet)

  • Move-in and move-out schedules by booth size

  • Union labor rules specific to that show

  • Early-bird pricing deadlines for every service category

Pro Tip: Missing early-bird ordering deadlines can add 25–40% to your service costs. Put every ESK deadline on your calendar the moment it arrives. Your Orlando trade show booth design partner can help you decode which services you actually need.

Reading the ESK thoroughly is non-negotiable. Your Orlando exhibit rental company can help interpret the technical specs and advise on which items you need to order directly vs. which are handled as part of your rental package.

Official General Service Contractors at the OCCC

Most major shows at the OCCC use an Official General Service Contractor (GSC) — companies like Freeman, GES, or Encore — who serve as the primary coordination point for all exhibitor services. The GSC is not optional; they are the official, union-sanctioned vendor for a defined scope of services at the show.

Services Typically Ordered Through the GSC

  • Carpet and flooring installation

  • Booth furnishings from the official inventory (tables, chairs, counters)

  • Electrical services and power drops

  • Rigging for hanging signs and overhead banners

  • Material handling (drayage) for freight and booth properties

  • Labor for installation and dismantling (I&D)

Knowing the difference between what you must order through the GSC vs. what your custom exhibit company in Orlando handles is crucial for budgeting your total booth investment accurately. Many first-timers are caught off guard by drayage fees — a charge for moving your freight from the loading dock to your booth space — which is always controlled by the GSC.

Insider Tip: Renting custom exhibits in Orlando from a local company often reduces or eliminates shipping and drayage costs — one of the biggest hidden expenses for out-of-state exhibitors.

Electrical Planning For Your Orlando Trade Show Display

Power at the OCCC is not self-serve. All electrical services are ordered through the official electrical contractor, and costs can be substantial — particularly for exhibits featuring LED video walls, multiple monitors, interactive kiosks, or illuminated counters.

How to Plan Your Booth’s Electrical Needs

  • Total outlets required — count every device that needs power, including monitors, tablets, lighting, and charging stations

  • Total amperage draw — LED video walls and high-brightness displays pull significantly more power than standard monitors

  • Power drop location — specify precisely where in your booth footprint power needs to enter (usually from a floor or overhead port)

Share your electrical requirements with your Orlando trade show booth design team early in the process so they can plan an efficient internal power distribution layout. A well-designed booth conceals power cables cleanly and positions outlets strategically for the best visitor flow. Ordering electrical late after the early-bird deadline can easily add hundreds of dollars in surcharges to your overall trade show display cost in Orlando, FL.

Union Labor At The OCCC

The OCCC operates under union labor agreements that govern specific aspects of exhibit installation and dismantling. For first-time exhibitors, union rules are often the most confusing — and most costly when misunderstood.

General Union Rules at the OCCC

  • Small inline booths (typically 10×10 or 10×20): Exhibitors can usually set up and dismantle their own displays without union labor

  • Larger exhibits and island booths: Installation generally requires union labor for structural assembly

  • Hanging structures and overhead signs: Always require rigging by union-certified labor

  • Electrical work: Must be performed by the official electrical contractor regardless of booth size

  • Forklifts and heavy equipment: Operator must be union-affiliated

Note: Union rules can vary by show at the OCCC. Your local Orlando trade show company will have show-specific experience and can advise you on exactly which labor tasks you can perform yourself vs. what requires union contractors — saving you from costly on-site surprises.

Choosing a 10×10 Orlando exhibit rental setup is one of the smartest moves for first-time exhibitors. Compact inline displays are easier to self-install, fall within self-serve labor allowances at most shows, and still deliver a polished, professional presence at the OCCC.

Move-In And Move-Out

The OCCC operates under union labor agreements that govern specific aspects of exhibit installation and dismantling. For first-time exhibitors, union rules are often the most confusing — and most costly when misunderstood.

General Union Rules at the OCCC

  • Small inline booths (typically 10×10 or 10×20 trade show booth display rentals): Exhibitors can usually set up and dismantle their own displays without union labor
  • Larger exhibits and island booths: Installation generally requires union labor for structural assembly
  • Hanging structures and overhead signs: Always require rigging by union-certified labor
  • Electrical work: Must be performed by the official electrical contractor regardless of booth size
  • Forklifts and heavy equipment: Operator must be union-affiliated

Note: Union rules can vary by show at the OCCC. Your local Orlando trade show company will have show-specific experience and can advise you on exactly which labor tasks you can perform yourself vs. what requires union contractors — saving you from costly on-site surprises.

Choosing a 10×10 Orlando exhibit rental setup is one of the smartest moves for first-time exhibitors. Compact inline displays are easier to self-install, fall within self-serve labor allowances at most shows, and still deliver a polished, professional presence at the OCCC.

Making Your Booth Stand Out At The OCCC

In a hall with hundreds or thousands of competing exhibitors, differentiation is everything. Your exhibition booth in Orlando, FL needs to work hard — attracting attention from a distance, communicating your value instantly, and drawing visitors in before they’ve even stopped walking.

What High-Performing Trade Show Displays in Orlando, FL Do Differently

  • Overhead signage: Identifiable from 100+ feet away, hanging signs dramatically increase your booth’s visibility in a crowded OCCC hall
  • Large-format backwall graphics: Bold, on-brand imagery that communicates your key message in under three seconds
  • Strategic lighting: Backlit graphics, spotlighting on products, and LED accent lighting dramatically elevate perceived quality
  • Open, welcoming layout: Remove barriers — invite visitors in rather than presenting a counter that keeps them at arm’s length
  • Interactive elements: Touchscreens, product demos, and live presentations create dwell time and memorable experiences
  • Consistent brand story: From booth graphics to staff uniforms to handout materials — every element should reinforce a single clear message

Design Tip: Trade show booth design in Orlando, FL for the OCCC specifically should account for ceiling height, aisle traffic flow patterns, and the lighting conditions in your assigned hall section details that a local exhibit partner with OCCC experience will factor in automatically.

Whether you’re looking for custom exhibits in Orlando built to your exact brand specifications, or a turnkey 10×10 exhibit rental in Orlando for a first appearance, working with an experienced local company that knows the OCCC is your strongest competitive advantage.

The OCCC environment rewards exhibitors who plan ahead. Booths that look custom-built, communicate clearly, and create an inviting atmosphere consistently outperform those that treat the display as an afterthought. Your Orlando convention center exhibit is your brand’s face to thousands of potential customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to rent an exhibition booth in Orlando, FL?

Costs vary depending on booth size, customization, graphics, flooring, AV requirements, and labor. A basic 10×10 Orlando exhibit rental may start around a few thousand dollars, while large custom island exhibits can reach significantly higher budgets once labor, rigging, and show services are included.

Small inline booths can often be self-installed, but larger structures, hanging signs, electrical work, and heavy equipment handling usually require union labor. Rules vary by show organizer and contractor agreements.

The ESK contains all official ordering forms, deadlines, regulations, labor rules, and logistical instructions for your event. Missing ESK deadlines can lead to major cost increases and operational issues during move-in.

Yes. Exhibitors can bring their own booth structures and graphics, provided they comply with show regulations and venue guidelines. However, many exhibitors prefer Orlando trade show display rentals to simplify logistics and reduce shipping expenses.

Inline booths share side walls with neighboring exhibitors and open to one aisle, while island exhibits are surrounded by aisles on all four sides and allow for more open, immersive booth designs with higher visibility.

As early as possible after receiving your ESK. Ordering before early-bird deadlines can save substantial costs and ensures availability for complex power requirements.

Large graphics, elevated signage, strategic lighting, interactive experiences, and an open booth layout all help improve visibility and attendee engagement in crowded exhibit halls.

Look for a company with direct OCCC experience, in-house design and production capabilities, transparent pricing, local installation support, and knowledge of venue-specific labor and logistics procedures.