The Ocean Center hosted 104 events in 2025.
Visitors can interact and even swim with dolphins at Marineland Dolphin Adventure. Photo provided by Marineland Dolphin Adventure
seating( replacing some arena seats that have been present since opening day). Funding comes from the Tourist Development Tax on overnight stays.
While the Ocean Center continues to host conventions, expositions and competition events, in July 2025 the Volusia County Council signed an agreement with Danny Wimmer Presents, a booking firm and producer of“ destination music festivals,” to revitalize the Ocean Center as a“ must-play” venue for touring acts.
Danny Wimmer Presents also is the producer of Welcome to Rockville, which moved to Daytona International Speedway in 2021 and is“ North America’ s largest rock music festival,” said Lori Campbell Baker, Executive Director of the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. This year’ s event will feature more than 160 bands.
In August 2025, Danny Wimmer Presents and the speedway signed a 10-year agreement to keep the annual Welcome to Rockville festival at the track through 2035.
Rock fans will have many accommodations to choose from: Additions over the past decade, Campbell Baker said, include the Hard Rock Hotel
Florida’ s Historic Coast“ has experienced strong tourism growth” as“ travelers increasingly seek destinations that offer history, culinary experiences, nature and walkable communities
Daytona Beach, the Daytona Grande Oceanfront Resort, the Max Beach Resort, The DAYTONA and the Renaissance Daytona Beach Oceanfront.
Meanwhile,“ West Volusia has undergone a quiet but significant transformation over the last decade,” said Georgia Turner, Executive Director of the West Volusia
Tourism Advertising Authority.“ Focus has shifted toward‘ Old Florida’ charm, ecotourism( such as the manatee haven of Blue Spring State Park) and specialized trail systems that connect its historic towns.” Flagler Beach tourism is“ seeing more demand for authentic, outdoor and nature-based experiences,” said Amy Lukasik, Executive Director of the Flagler County Tourism Development Office.
Propelled by expanded non-stop commercial air service in Jacksonville and new accommodations, Florida’ s Historic Coast“ has experienced strong tourism growth” as“ travelers increasingly seek destinations that offer history, culinary experiences, nature and walkable communities,” said Susan Phillips, President and CEO of the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & the Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau.
Weekly farmer ' s market in downtown Ormond Beach
| 26 | EVOLVE MAGAZINE | Evolve2Succeed. com