Austin Convention Center Honored with Inaugural Spirit of Hospitality Award
Pictured with the Spirit of Hospitality Award are (left to right) Paul Barnes, ACCD Deputy Director - Chief Operating Officer; Roman Polvinale, General Manager, Austin Convention Center Catering; Carla Steffen, ACCD Deputy Director – Chief Financial Officer; Mark Tester, ACCD Director; and Trisha Tatro, ACCD Assistant Director.
AUSTIN, Texas – The Austin Convention Center Catering team was awarded the Spirit of Hospitality Award, by Levy Restaurant, for its exceptional customer and quality of service.
The 85-member catering and concessions team at the Austin Convention Center and Palmer Center, was honored with the award based on customer surveys and client feedback.
“Making creative culinary concepts come true with superb service, menu and set up offerings really supports our desire to make the convention experience in Austin extraordinary,” said Mark Tester, Director, Austin Convention Center Department.
Led by Roman Polvinale, General Manger, the Austin Convention Center Catering team offers in-house catering services and specializes in Southwest flavors. Levy was recently announced as the food and beverage partner of Austin FC Soccer Park and Stadium and supports convention venues in Arlington, Cleveland, Dallas, Houston, and Los Angeles.
Culinary requests include service for galas, booth and trade shows, business dinners and lunches, convention set-ups, and small to large corporate meetings. Menus are customized to fit the event type and service style including: hor d’oeuvres, cocktails, deserts, reception chef tables, plated meals, hand-crafted TexMex tables, comfort and entrees, salad set-ups, break and breakfast menus.
Food and beverage facts about the Austin Convention Center:
- 1,921,155 meals served in 2019
- 422 culinary events/meetings hosted in 2019
- 30-plus local purveyors are sourced including 12 local food trucks
- Vegetables, meats and spices from producers in Austin
- 43,000 square foot Grand Ballroom can seat 3,000 diners
- 242,145 pounds of food composted
- 30,938 pounds of food donated to homeless shelters
- All services except for plated meals use sustainable disposable ware to contribute towards the Facilities Green Initiatives.
Over 10 million people have attended 6,000+ events, including over 900 conventions, at the LEED® Gold-certified Austin Convention Center since it opened in 1992. Events at both the Convention Center and the Palmer Events Center can be accessed at www.austinconventioncenter.com.
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For more information contact: Derick Hackett, Senior Public Information Specialist 512.404.4021 or derick.hackett@austintexas.gov