From Dec. 3-6, general service contractor Alliance Nationwide Exposition will launch Orlando Winterfest 2020 at Orange County Convention Center. Held in partnership with International Drive Business Improvement District and iHeartMedia, Orlando Winterfest will be the first holiday gift show of the year, after previously scheduled events have either been canceled or postponed into 2021 due to COVID-19. According to event officials, this event will provide the time and space for companies that haven’t had a way to network with their customers face-to-face to make the sales they desperately need this year.

Alliance Nationwide Exposition officials say the company is committed to bringing back live events. “After safely holding the first exposition held in the United States post-quarantine, the Together Again Expo in July with over 1,400 attendees, we were looking for the next opportunity to serve our community,” says Mark Yuska, owner and president of Alliance Nationwide Exposition.

Noting that regional and non-corporate events would be among the first to return, they set out to create Winterfest, a large-scale consumer event utilizing many of the talents from the trade show industry while introducing new consumer partners.

“We have all faced a year like no other,” said says Luann Brooks, executive director at the I-Drive Business Improvement District (a collection of businesses around the convention center area). “Our businesses have pushed through with strength and hope as I have never seen before, [and] we are thrilled to have something new and exciting for us all to look forward to this holiday season.”

The event’s holiday market will include more than 1,000 vendors, creating an expansive gift shopping experience. In addition to shopping, there will be family-friendly activities, festive food and beverage options, live music and entertainment. Orange County Convention Center will be decorated for the holidays with festive photo opportunities showcasing designer sets, trees and wreaths throughout.

“Alliance has found a lot of pent-up demand among the consumer vendors,” says Yuska. “Many of these vendors rely on festivals and markets to sell their products and services, and with many of the holiday markets being cancelled in 2020, Winterfest will provide the perfect environment to safely sell inventory to the public.”

Event partner iHeartMedia will bring publicity and media marketing by utilizing its network of live broadcast stations, billboards, social media and digital services to the inaugural holiday festival. Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster. Based on marketing projections, they’re expecting as many as 10,000 people over the four-day show.

“The OCCC is proud to host Orlando Winterfest 2020, which will bring our community together for a festive holiday consumer event,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “After safely hosting several events and consumer shows, and implementing our Recovery and Resiliency Plan, we are confident that Winterfest will provide an enjoyable holiday experience for all to enjoy.”  

Guest and team member safety will be the main priority, according to event officials. Alliance Nationwide Exposition staff as well as the convention center will ensure all state and local safety guidelines will be followed. Winterfest guests can expect larger and one-way aisles, touchless ticketing and entry, as well as hand sanitization spaces throughout the space.

Winterfest will also adhere to the GBAC Star Ratings, the highest standard for health and safety. OCCC received its GBAC accreditation in May of this year. Since then, the facility has successfully hosted more events than any other convention center in the country, and has done so while keeping its staff and guests safe and healthy.

Find more information about Winterfest here.