Orange County CC Offers Luggage Check-in

Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 8/16/2004

Tradeshow attendees in Orlando now can get airline boarding passes and check their bags before ever leaving the Orange County Convention Center.

The convention center offers Baggage Airline Guest Services' (BAGS) multi-airline remote check-in system for air travelers' luggage. Travelers can check their bags at a secure location at the convention center two to 12 hours prior to their scheduled departures for American, Continental, Delta and United flights departing from the Orlando airport.

For a $10 per-bag charge, the baggage is transferred to the airport. All BAGS employees receive credentials from the Transportation Security Administration and undergo FBI background checks. BAGS' trucks transport the luggage in locked compartments to the airport, where it undergoes the same security screening process as baggage checked by passengers at airline ticket counters.

OCCC Executive Director Tom Ackert said the benefit is that people can continue with their seminars or browse the show floor longer without rushing to the airport.

"It was a 'no-brainer' for us to contract with them," Ackert said. "Event attendees no longer have to worry about the hassle of handling their baggage, and they can get their boarding passes long before they go to the airport. Show managers are pleased because attendees are able to stay at their events longer, and the airport is happy as baggage and ticketing lines are reduced."