Trade Show News

Austin's AT&T Hotel and Conference Center is undergoing a $30 million refresh of its 85,000-plus square feet of meeting space, adding a junior ballroom and updated A/V technology. The JW Marriott Austin recently completed a $30 million renovation of its guest rooms and meeting spaces. Additionally, new hotels like Sixth & Blanco and the Bohème Hotel are scheduled to open in 2026, offering more event and meeting spaces.

The Austin Chamber of Commerce has opened nominations for its annual Austin Gives Awards, with a deadline of June 5th. These awards celebrate businesses that demonstrate generosity and community involvement, fostering a positive business environment in Central Texas.

The Downtown Austin Alliance is hosting its annual "Future of Downtown" event on May 12, 2026, to recognize individuals and projects that have significantly contributed to the downtown community. This initiative highlights efforts to enhance downtown's vibrancy and culture, which can indirectly support the business environment for conventions.

An overhaul of Austin's short-term rental regulations has led to increased compliance and a surge in hotel occupancy tax revenue, with collections rising to $11.6 million in 2025. New enforcement tools and a digital licensing platform launching in 2026 are improving the regulatory landscape.

An overhaul of Austin's short-term rental (STR) regulations, implemented in September 2025, has resulted in a significant increase in hotel occupancy tax revenue, with collections reaching $11.6 million in 2025 and $10.6 million so far in 2026. New enforcement tools, including compliance software, have identified thousands of unlicensed properties.

The Visit Austin Foundation is hosting several events in 2026, including the Austin Tourism Insider Training Program from February to June, aimed at supporting hospitality employees. They will also host the "Thanks FORE Giving Topgolf Tournament" on November 19, 2026, a fundraising event benefiting the Visit Austin Foundation and Austin Sports Commission.

Dr. Eric A. Johnson serves as an Assistant City Manager for the City of Austin, overseeing departments including the Austin Convention Center and Austin Economic Development. He brings over 20 years of experience in urban redevelopment and economic development to his role.

Michael Rogers has been appointed Assistant City Manager for the City of Austin, bringing over 33 years of executive leadership experience. His responsibilities include strategic leadership across key city departments, such as the Convention Center.

Katy Zamesnik serves as Interim Director of the Austin Convention Center Department, overseeing the Convention Center's expansion and consultant contracts. Taje Allen is the Assistant Director, responsible for the daily operations of both the Austin Convention Center and Palmer Events Center.

International Conference Management, Inc. (ICM), a national convention and trade show producer with over 30 years of experience, is headquartered in Austin, Texas. ICM specializes in organizing regional trade shows like Build Expo USA and IMAGE Expo, bringing together industries on a local level.

CHAMPS Trade Shows will return to the Palmer Events Center in Austin from October 13-15, 2026. This event serves as a premier counterculture marketplace, providing an opportunity for attendees to shop, discover, and connect with hundreds of vendors and thousands of brands under one roof.

The Texas Restaurant Association's Texas Restaurant Show will integrate the Texas Bar & Nightclub Convention starting with its 2026 edition, scheduled for July 12-13. This combined event will be held at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, positioning it as a comprehensive hospitality trade show for the Southwest.

PCX Austin, a new pop culture expo celebrating comics, gaming, film, television, cosplay, and collectibles, will debut August 15–16, 2026, at the Fairmont Austin. The event aims to capture Austin's creative spirit with celebrity guests, panel discussions, and a vibrant exhibitor floor.

The LeadingAge Texas Annual Conference & Solutions EXPO is scheduled for May 13–15, 2026, at the Renaissance Austin Hotel. Exhibitor registration for the 2026 Solutions EXPO is now closed, but business members can still attend as non-exhibiting attendees.

CHAMPS, a premier counterculture marketplace, is set to return to the Palmer Events Center in Austin from October 13-15, 2026. The event will feature hundreds of vendors and thousands of brands for buyers and exhibitors.

The Austin Convention Center is undergoing a $1.6 billion redevelopment, known as Unconventional ATX, which will nearly double its rentable space to 620,000 square feet. The project aims to be the world's first zero-carbon-certified convention center and is expected to reopen in early 2029, generating an additional $285 million in yearly economic impact and supporting over 1,600 jobs.

Austin's $1.6 billion convention center redevelopment, set to reopen in 2029, aims to be the world's first zero-carbon certified convention center. The expansion will increase rentable space from 365,000 to 620,000 square feet and includes a $17.7 million investment in public art, transforming the venue into a civic and cultural destination.

The Austin Convention Center is undergoing a major redevelopment project, known as Unconventional ATX, with an anticipated completion by Spring 2029. This project is a key part of Austin's downtown development, enhancing the city's infrastructure for future events.

The Austin Convention Center's comprehensive redevelopment project, which commenced in April 2025, is set to significantly increase its rentable square footage to 620,000 square feet. The facility aims to be the world's first zero-carbon-certified convention center, with completion projected for late 2028 and reopening for the 2029 spring festival season, anticipating an estimated annual economic impact of $700 million.

The Austin Convention Center is currently undergoing a significant redevelopment and expansion project aimed at creating a larger, more efficient, and community-friendly event space in downtown Austin. This ambitious initiative is designed to nearly double the rentable space available for events and is projected to reopen in early 2029.