Trade Show News

The Austin City Council advanced $2.18 million in new financing and entrepreneurship programs to support small businesses. These programs include a small business interest loan buydown pilot, matching revolving funds for crowdfunded loans, and a small business pitch competition. These initiatives aim to lower borrowing costs and create new opportunities for local entrepreneurs, potentially impacting businesses that participate in trade shows.

Peachtree Group and Merritt Development Group have broken ground on a 480-room dual-branded Embassy Suites by Hilton and Tempo by Hilton hotel in downtown Austin. The 30-story tower, located at 415 Lavaca Street, is scheduled to open in early 2029, aligning with the Austin Convention Center's redevelopment and expansion. This project is expected to capture demand from an expanding convention calendar and growing air connectivity, significantly impacting the city's hospitality demand profile.

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro area added 7,500 employed workers in August compared to a year ago, contributing to statewide job growth. The leisure and hospitality sector, crucial for the trade show industry, saw the second-largest percentage of growth statewide at 2.2%, adding 33,700 jobs.

1 Hotel Austin, the first Texas property from 1 Hotels, has opened within the 74-story Waterline development, offering 252 rooms and over 10,000 square feet of event space. The hotel's Certified Sustainable Gatherings program supports meetings and private events with responsible sourcing and lower-impact menus.

The 252-room 1 Hotel Austin has opened inside Waterline, Texas's tallest tower, marking the sustainability-focused brand's first property in the state. The hotel features 60 suites, a wellness spa, a rooftop pool, and a Japanese-inspired restaurant.

Addison Group is seeking an experienced Trade Show Manager in Austin to lead major trade show initiatives from planning to execution. The role requires over seven years of experience in trade shows, events, or exhibitions, and involves working with internal stakeholders, exhibitors, and vendors to ensure successful events.

As of September 2026, RevenueBase has identified 32 conference and trade show organizers headquartered in Austin, United States. The data tracks 151 professional contacts within these organizations, with 36 having verified work emails. This report provides insight into the local landscape of event planning and trade show management companies.

The Austin City Council approved a $2,550,000 renewal of support for the Austin Infrastructure Academy, which provides workforce training for residents. This academy is vital for projects like the imminent construction of the convention center, connecting Austinites to career opportunities.

The City of Austin has dedicated $2.55 million to the Austin Infrastructure Academy, a workforce training and jobs program, with local leaders promoting it as a way to connect residents with stable construction careers. This initiative is driven by billions of dollars in infrastructure upgrades, including the I-35 expansion, Project Connect rail system, and the Austin Convention Center redevelopment. City staff view this as a "once-in-a-generation" opportunity to build new career pathways.

The City of Austin has dedicated $2.55 million to the Austin Infrastructure Academy, a workforce training and jobs program designed to connect residents with construction careers. This initiative is promoted as a key way to support the billions of dollars invested in infrastructure upgrades, including the Austin Convention Center redevelopment, I-35 expansion, and Project Connect rail system.

Visual Studio Live! Austin, a .NET & AI Developer Conference, is announced for 2027 in Austin, a prominent technology hub. The conference aims to equip developers with practical skills and fresh ideas in .NET, cloud, AI, and the evolving Microsoft ecosystem. The agenda will be announced in December 2026.

The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) announced the full conference schedule for its SOLAR 2026 National Conference, which is returning to Austin, TX. The event is being held in partnership with the Texas Solar Energy Society's 50th Anniversary.

The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) has announced the full conference schedule for its SOLAR 2026 National Conference, which is returning to Austin, Texas. The event, held in partnership with the Texas Solar Energy Society's 50th Anniversary, will take place at the LEED Gold certified Palmer Events Center, which operates on 100% renewable energy.

Paul Andre Huet, CEO of Americas Gold & Silver, will speak at Reuters' Momentum AI Austin 2026 conference on September 25, 2026, in Austin. The panel will address the physical infrastructure required for the global artificial intelligence buildout and the role of critical minerals. The conference runs from September 23 to 25, 2026, at the JW Marriott.

The ACE Convention, Austin's convention for entertainers and event professionals, will take place from November 9-12, 2026, at the Holiday Inn Austin Midtown. The event will feature quality vendors, exciting classes, and a body art showcase for face and body artists, balloon twisters, and decor artists.

The City of Austin ratified a contract for over $2.2 million for structural repairs to the Palmer Events Center Garage. Additionally, a license agreement was authorized for Boldyn Networks US IV, LLC to install a Distributed Antenna System at the Austin Convention Center, Palmer Events Center, and the Warehouse and Marshalling Yard to enhance connectivity.

A year after the Austin Convention Center closed for redevelopment, representatives from Visit Austin and SXSW discussed the city's distributed, campus-style model for events. They shared insights on what worked and what didn't, with the convention center expected to reopen in 2029, and SXSW 2029 slated as its first official event.

Austin Opera is opening its new Sarah and Ernest Butler Performance Center to the public on September 26. The center, located at 5811 Trade Center Drive, includes a conference center and event spaces, making it a new community asset for various gatherings. This facility will host performances, rehearsals, educational offerings, and other local arts organizations.

With the Austin Convention Center closed for rebuilding until 2029, SXSW 2027 will operate as a decentralized campus across downtown Austin. This shift makes hotel location even more critical for attendees, as track hubs, sessions, and music stages will be spread across various venues and major hotels.

The Austin Convention Center redevelopment, a $1.6 billion project, is progressing with concrete floors being poured and structural steel deliveries. A rooftop padel club is planned for the convention center's parking garage, aiming to boost revenue during the facility's closure for renovation until 2029.