Ocean Center Reimagined: 40 Years of Going Beyond

Posted On: April 4, 2025

Volusia County’s Ocean Center is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year with $40 million in facility investments and a reimagining of its vision, mission, and purpose.

Opened in 1985 as an arena/concert hall, the Ocean Center hosted a myriad of high-profile artists, including Journey, AC/DC, Britany Spears, and Elton John. In addition, the event venue served as home to the Daytona Beach Sun Devils Ice Hockey Team, World Championship Wrestling, and the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. After a $76 million expansion in 2009 that brought a new exhibit hall and additional meeting spaces, the Ocean Center shifted gears and focused primarily on conventions, conferences, and sporting events.

In 2024, the Volusia County Council charged the Ocean Center with returning to form, diversifying its event calendar, and offering entertainment opportunities for the entire community. As a result, the Ocean Center is undergoing a transformative reimagining during its 40th anniversary that invests in the future with a new vision and mission and $40 million in capital improvements to modernize and enhance its facilities including:

• New director
• New vision and mission
• New programming
• Refreshed logo and brand colors
• 40th anniversary concert series and Celebrate Volusia event
• New executive chef and menu
• New website and newsletter
• New arena seating
• New LED lighting system
• Enhanced sound system
• New arena basketball court
• New carpet in ballrooms
• New furniture and artwork
• Renovated restrooms, VIP suites, green room, arena flooring, kitchen, and concessions
• Garage renovation
• Interior painting
• Exterior painting
• Landscape enhancements
• Switchgear upgrades for clients’ electrical needs
• Dock fencing to secure entrances
• Wayfinding and parking lot signage
• Moveable partition replacements

“We’re reimagining the Ocean Center with continuous improvement and innovation as we celebrate 40 successful years in Volusia County,” said Ocean Center Director Lynn Flanders. “We look forward to expanding our entertainment options for locals while maintaining a heavy focus on the top-tier conventions and trade shows that attract visitors who spend money at our hotels and restaurants.” 

As Florida’s fifth-largest convention center, the Ocean Center contributes significantly to Volusia County’s economy and its reputation as a vibrant and sought-after destination. The county’s premier destination for events, culture, and economic growth set a new benchmark in 2024, hosting a record-breaking 118 events, attracting over 513,000 guests, and generating 88,000 room nights. The direct impact on the local economy was substantial, resulting in $114.3 million in economic benefit, supporting 980 jobs, and contributing $1.9 million in sales tax.

Located just 400 feet from the Atlantic Ocean, the versatile, world-class venue offers more than 200,000 square feet of event space, including a 42,000-square-foot arena that seats 8,000 guests, a 93,000-square-foot exhibit hall with space for more than 500 booths, a 14,000-square-foot ballroom that can seat 14,000 people, and 32,000 square feet in meeting room space.

Charged with a mandate to “Go Beyond,” the Ocean Center has served as one of East Central Florida’s premier event destinations for the past 40 years and is now poised to set a new standard for service to its clients, customers, and the entire community. With a dedicated staff of 51 full-time employees and 24 contracted caterers, the Ocean Center will continue hosting a dynamic array of events, from national sports tournaments to large-scale trade shows, while also reimagining the future with a return to its entertainment roots in 2025.

 “Our mission is clear: Go Beyond the boundaries of hospitality with innovative approaches that ensure our clients feel valued, inspire our employees, and strengthen the community we proudly serve,” said Flanders. “Our team is the heart of our commitment to excellence, bringing unmatched dedication and professionalism to every event. Their focus on ‘best in class’ service is evident in the positive testimonials we receive from returning clients who consistently commend our staff’s attention to detail, warmth and reliability.”