Major spike in attendance for Electric Daisy Carnival Orlando (PHOTOS) – The Business Journals

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A popular electronic music festival that has brought $130 million in revenue in previous years has seen a huge boost in attendance.
While it’s too early to know all the important numbers related to the growth of Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), one giant number is in. Last weekend, Nov. 10-12, attendance grew by 178% as compared with 2022. 
Last year, Insomniac Events — the company that produces EDC — reported 108,000 people showed up for the electronic music festival that attracts people of all ages and backgrounds to Tinker Field for three days of DJs and dancing. This year, Insomniac reports 300,000 attendees. 
Day 1 of EDC got off to a big start, with shows on five stages.
Merritt Island resident Ashlie Kerr, who attended the event for the first time this year, said the crowds didn’t feel overwhelming. 
“It felt just right, because there were still spots for me to go if I didn’t want to be in the thick of it, but also if you like that then you could get closer to the stage. The lines for things were long, but that’s expected with a festival,” she said. “I was pleased with them ensuring our safety. [They had] free water stations to keep us hydrated and emergency aid tents in case of medical issues.” 
In recent years, EDC contributed about $74.8 million in wages. The hiring spans the gamut, from security and janitorial to food and beverage service, performers, stylists and more. 
Something new in 2023 was the addition of Volta Beauty, an on-site salon for sparkly and festive hair and makeup. In the past, several independent companies provided these services, but now, Insomniac has launched its own brand. Volta Beauty launched in June of this year and this was the eighth event at which it appeared. 
Half of the stylists — called “artists” — are hired locally. Some local stylists end up traveling to other Insomniac festivals to work there. The lines outside the salon are long and somewhat slow-moving, but it’s still considered a welcome amenity that festivalgoers look forward to. 
Wherever you look at EDC, you see smiling faces. Attendees comment that it’s the most positive music festival they know of.
“Not only was the lineup fire, the amenities kept me busy the entire weekend,” said Kerr. “From the diverse food options to the carnival rides and everything in between, all around it was a very impressive event and I would recommend everyone go at least once in their life.” 
On Nov. 14, Orlando announced it has once again — for the 10th consecutive year — achieved a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index. The index measures how inclusive municipal laws, policies and services are of LGBTQ+ residents and visitors utilizing 49 different criteria including non-discrimination laws and municipal employment policies, inclusiveness of city services, law enforcement and municipal leadership on matters of equality. 
EDC exemplified this welcoming spirit. 
“The ‘All are welcome here’ banner is not lip service,” said Orlando resident Kate Galindo. “We need more spaces like this for folks to come as they are and be not only safe but celebrated. Kudos to the organizers and staff for creating a Mecca that includes and honors everyone.”
In the coming weeks, more data on EDC’s economic impact will be released. The production company uses Rockport Analytics to gather and assess information about the festival. 
But the full measure of the festival’s impact — which in 2022 was about $130 million spent on food, drinks, hotel rooms, transportation and more — cannot be gauged. Food trucks line up on Church Street outside the festival’s entry. Cycle rickshaws transport people to and from their parked cars. Neighborhood residents sell parking on their properties. The ripple effect of the festival is felt for miles.
“You have to realize how great the impact is — from Kissimmee to Sanford. Hoteliers call me every year to make sure we’ve booked it again,” Chief Venues Officer Allen Johnson of Orlando Venues said. 
Fireworks and laser light displays are part of EDC festivities every year.
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