December 3, 2007. Austin, Texas. - Seventeen events are expected to bring an estimated 78,000 people to the Austin Convention Center this month, creating one of the busiest Decembers in the facility’s history. The calendar includes six Austin Toros home basketball games, the Austin Auto Show, the ten-day Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, the Health Freedom Expo, an MDE Latino Seminar, four food and beverage events and a convention.
The Austin Convention Center opens the month with the Health Freedom Expo, Nov. 30-Dec. 2, and the Austin Dance Convention, December 1-2. Six home Austin Toros basketball games are scheduled in Exhibit Hall 5, Dec. 1, 8, 14, 15, 27, and 28. The Austin Auto Show returns to Exhibit Halls 1-4, Dec. 7-9, showcasing hundreds of 2008 vehicles. The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, which has been an Austin tradition since 1976, offers Austinites a new location at the convention center, for its 32nd annual unique shopping experience, Dec. 14-23.
Food and beverage events at the Austin Convention Center include several holiday festivities: Austin Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) Holiday Party, Dec. 9, City of Austin Communications & Technology Employee Recognition & Holiday Gala, Dec. 14, and Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) Reception, Dec. 16. Conferences scheduled are the IAEE Board Meeting, Dec. 7, and the MDE Latino Seminar, Dec. 16.
The Palmer Events Center joins the convention center in attracting record crowds this December. The four consumer shows are expected to bring over 32,000 through its doors this month. Two returning shows are the Austin Gem and Mineral Show, Nov. 29-Dec. 2, and the Junior League of Austin’s Coats for Kids, Dec. 8. Two new public shows to the PEC are Parent:Wise Austin Magazine’s Burnin’ for Learnin’ Extravaganza, Dec. 2, and the ten-day Keep Austin Bizarre Christmas Bazaar, Dec. 14-24.
The Austin Symphony Orchestra’s New Year’s Pops is once again scheduled at the Palmer Events Center, Dec. 30-31. Other events at the PEC include: Texas State Board of Public Accountancy’s Swearing In Ceremony, Dec. 1, Child Inc. Head Start’s Responsible Parenting Awards, Dec. 11, and H H Aga Khan Regional Council’s Khushiali Celebration, Dec. 15.
Events and their websites, can be accessed from the Austin Convention Center Department’s website, www.austinconventioncenter.com.
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For more information, contact:
Terri McBride, Public Information Officer/P.R. Manager, Austin Convention Center Department
512.404.4020 or terri.mcbride@ci.austin.tx.us