Business as Usual After Hurricane Charley
Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 8/30/2004
When Hurricane Charley hit land 100 miles south of Tampa, Fla., on Aug. 13 with 145-mph winds and 10-foot waves, Southeastern U.S. tradeshow facilities were prepared for the worst — but escaped serious damage.
Most venues in the hurricane's path — around Orlando and on the Carolina coasts — shut down operations Friday. They reported little to no damage and stated that all upcoming events were continuing as scheduled.
Charley left the Myrtle Beach Convention Center with landscaping damage and roof leaks, according to General Manager Paul Edwards. The facility, along with South Carolina's Charleston Area Convention Center Complex, served as emergency operations centers throughout the storm.
Edwards said those attending a U.S. Navy shipmates' reunion, a hearing care conference and a dance class in the center's meeting rooms Friday evening proceeded with their business throughout the storm. "They hung in there even after the power went out," he said.
The start of the Hot Summer Boat Show at the Orange County Convention Center was moved from Friday to Saturday due to the storm. Premiere Orlando, a near-250,000 net square foot beauty tradeshow, moved in as scheduled at the OCCC for an Aug. 22 opening.
Danielle Courtenay, vice president of public relations for the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the city's hotels and motels assisted distressed residents, offering special room rates to those without power, some waiving their no-pet policies. "They just have been tremendously responsive," Courtenay said.
