By Jim Carchidi
December 31, 2025
Temperatures are dropping this week, but a big beach party is coming to Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) next week when Surf Expo celebrates 50 years in Central Florida, January 7-9.
Surfing history
The surfing and outdoor lifestyle industry event was first held in 1976 at Cocoa Beach’s Cape Colony Inn with 35 companies in attendance. The exhibitor list eventually outgrew available beachside venues and the expo moved to Tupperware Convention Center in Kissimmee before landing at OCCC in 1988. The floorspace and proximity to accommodations and attractions fostered further expansion.
“Our move to the OCCC was a key catalyst in our growth,” show director Roy Turner told The Orlando Real. “And as we celebrate our 50th anniversary this January, we want to thank the OCCC and its dedicated employees for being incredible partners through the years. We look forward each year to visiting the businesses that make Orlando such a special place.”
The Surf Expo exhibit floor has showcased the surf, skate, and outdoor industries with demonstration pools and runway fashion shows.
Skate park ramps were added in 2021 for skateboard demos and contests.
Surf Expo is produced in two separate installments, January and September, to coincide with seasonal product releases. The convention center’s West Concourse will host more than 650 beach and skate industry exhibitors from around the world and past events have included demonstration pools, skate ramps, and runways for daily fashion shows. Kala Brand Music Co. even hosts performances by local bands on the exhibit floor.
Impacts and events
The show is one of the many annual events hosted at OCCC that contributed more than $5 billion to the local economy during the 2024/25 fiscal year. The economic impact is expected to increase with a planned expansion that will add 144,000 square feet of new event space and greater hosting capabilities to the complex.
The January edition of Surf Expo 2026 will include a 50th Anniversary party and networking opportunity for industry representatives at Topgolf Orlando on Wednesday, Jan. 7. The expo will also host the 30th East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame induction ceremony, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 8. Log onto SurfExpo.com for scheduling, exhibitor info, and updates.
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About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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