Austin Convention Center Getting Back To Hosting Events

The Austin Convention Center. Courtesy Photo

Convention and event centers are designed to generate economic activity by hosting events that support local business and spur job creation. In 2021, after reducing overall cost, investing in comprehensive cleaning programs, and creating space to back community support operations, such as emergency shelters and a community food bank prep site, the Austin Convention Center Department and staff made the transition back to hosting conferences, large-scale events and meetings.

Early in 2021, under the notification of being a possible Alternate Care Site for COVID-19 hospital patient overflow, the Austin Convention Center (ACC) was prepped and staged but never activated. In March, the department was given authorization to operate at 25% with mask requirements and social distancing obligations. Events returned in April for the Palmer Events Center (PEC) and in May for ACC.

June 30, 2021, Trisha Tatro was selected as the new Director of the Austin Convention Center Department, announced by Rodney Gonzales, the Assistant City Manager for the City of Austin. Tatro had served as interim director since Feb. 2020. On July 1, ACC and PEC were authorized to open at full capacity while continuing to adhere to all City of Austin, Travis County, State of Texas, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations.

“The hallmark of any great convention center is the ability to effectively pivot and change directions,” said Tatro. “I commend our staff for quickly adjusting back to hosting events and providing for the needs of our clients and event operators. This is what we do best. There is little question that the road to economic recovery, development, and growth involves the meeting and convention industry. In the months ahead, we are focused on bringing back meetings, conventions, festivals, and expos to our buildings. We are focused on our current and physical needs to grow, and will continue to partner with the travel, hotel, and tourism industries to surpass expectations and predictions.”

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS – ENHANCING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE

The Austin Convention Center Department’s capital improvement plan focuses on future growth needs and modernizing facilities. This includes the redevelopment of the Austin Convention Center to remain competitive in securing regional and national events, implementing modern and world-class sanitation technologies, and completing the construction of the Austin Convention Center Department Warehouse and Marshalling Yard.

Under construction and estimated to be completed in 2022, the new 70,000 square foot off-site building will serve as a marshaling yard and warehouse capable of providing parking for up to 112 trucks and tractor-trailers along with spaces for employees and vehicle parking. Built to alleviate downtown event traffic and address the need for off-site storage, the facility is being constructed to meet LEED® Silver certification. The facility can be adapted and equipped to be an emergency shelter, water distribution point, and will be capable of hosting emergency operation activities. The facility includes the commissioning of a visual arts project that will be visible as part of the City of Austin Art in Public Places (AIPP) program.

COMING BACK – 2021 AND BEYOND

During the last six months of 2021, ACCD successfully hosted 28 events at the Austin Convention Center and 45 events at the Palmer Events Center. ACC booked 73 groups, with 46 being new groups, and successfully negotiated COVID-19 impacted groups by rescheduling and retaining rentals. ACC negotiated an additional 102 groups for future years.

PEC booked 109 total events for 2021-2022, 25 of which were new events, and held 13 during the pandemic. PEC rebooked 13 total events impacted by COVID-19. Both ACC and PEC continually partner with clients to retain existing business and gain new business for 2022 and beyond.

For more information on the convention center, visit www.austinconventioncenter.com.