The center will have two million sf by 2003, making it one ofthe 10 largest exhibition halls in the United States. The value ofReed's deal with Orange County wasn't disclosed. But Reed ischarging $27.50 per sf to 1,450 exhibitors who already have signedup for the annual event, open only to the retail golfingindustry.

Reed, county and convention center officials couldn't be reachedat GlobeSt.com's publication deadline to learn leasing details. Butarea retail brokers intimate with the PGA show tell GlobeSt.com oncondition of anonymity Reed expects to lease out at least 710,000sf with an estimated aggregate rent value of $19 million.

Although the 1,450 exhibitor count to date is down from lastyear's 1,535 exhibitors, the leasing activity comes at a time whenmetro Orlando's hospitality industry has been looking for a revenuespark since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks coincided with anational economic recession to scare off guests.