Ocean Center touts $126 million local economic impact as it marks 40 years
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Lynn Flanders told the Daytona Beach City Commission the Ocean Center generated about $11.3 million in earned revenue last year, hosted 471,000 visitors and produced roughly $126 million in economic impact for Volusia County; capital investments of about $13 million included a new arena floor and seats.
Lynn Flanders, general manager of the Ocean Center, presented the convention center’s 40‑year report to the Daytona Beach City Commission, saying the center’s role is to serve as an economic catalyst for Daytona Beach and Volusia County.
Flanders said the Ocean Center’s earned revenue last year was about $11,300,000, with roughly 471,000 people attending events and 77,000 event‑driven lodging nights. She told commissioners the center’s portion of tourist development tax revenue is about $16,900,000 from a county total of roughly $34,000,000 and that events at the Ocean Center drove an estimated $126,000,000 in local economic impact and $159,000,000 statewide. For 2025 the center ran 104 events despite a three‑month arena renovation and invested an estimated $13,000,000 in capital projects including a new arena floor, new arena seating, painting and landscaping.
Flanders highlighted a return of major attractions (Full Throttle on Feb. 14) and a renewed slate of community programs such as monthly “diving board” sessions and special July 1 programming for America 250 kickoff events on the center’s second‑floor extension.
She emphasized that the Ocean Center is funded from tourist development tax (TDT) revenues rather than the city general fund. Commissioners thanked Flanders and noted the facility’s role in filling hotel rooms and supporting local businesses.
The City Commission did not take any formal action on the presentation; the report serves as an informational update and context for the city’s tourism and economic development planning.