Austin Convention Center

What Austin Convention Center does

The Austin Convention Center Department (ACCD) is an enterprise department of the City of Austin, Texas, operating the Austin Convention Center as a public, self-sustaining event venue that does not draw on property taxes. ACCD opened the Neal Kocurek Memorial Austin Convention Center in 1992, expanded it in 2002, and currently operates a 365,000-square-foot facility in downtown Austin across six city blocks (500 E. Cesar Chavez St), supplemented by a sister facility (Palmer Events Center at 900 Barton Springs Road), two parking garages (1,685 spaces total at 201 East 2nd Street and 601 East 5th Street), and a 70,000-square-foot off-site warehouse and marshalling yard at U.S. 183 and TX 71. The facility's primary offerings include five exhibit halls with 247,052 square feet of column-free space, seven ballrooms, 54 meeting rooms, 17 loading docks with levelers, and gigabit-rated connectivity infrastructure (high-density Wi-Fi, redundant Internet capable of bursting to 10 Gbps, single-mode fiber throughout, distributed antenna systems from major carriers, free digital signage, 24-hour network monitoring, and capacity for up to 20,000 simultaneous wireless devices), with exclusive in-house catering delivered through Levy Restaurants under Executive Chef Brad Kelly and exclusive/preferred rigging and AV through Freeman Audio Visual.

Revenue is generated through facility rental, parking (tiered hourly rates up to a $48 daily max), exclusive catering and food service (professional services model), per-transaction wired Internet and telephone services, and supporting utility offerings. Funding is sourced from contractor revenue, facility rental, parking, Hotel Occupancy Tax (a 6.9% base rate plus a 2% expansion HOT approved in 2019), and a voter-approved 5% Rental Car Tax. The customer base spans convention and conference organizers (primary segment), consumer event organizers, sports event organizers, and association/educational groups, with anchor events including SXSW, AFROTECH Conference, the Defense Manufacturing Conference, the TASA Midwinter Conference, and Austin Junior Volleyball tournaments. Distribution runs through a dedicated regional sales team (covering Texas, Midwest, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, West/Central, with sports, diversity, and international specialization), an online proposal request portal, and an Ungerboeck-based exhibitor online ordering portal for electrical, internet, telephone, water, drainage, booth catering, and booth security services.

In April 2025, ACCD closed the facility for the $1.6 billion UnconventionalATX redevelopment, designed by the LMN/Page joint venture and constructed by the JE Dunn/Turner joint venture, which will nearly double rentable square footage to 620,000 square feet (550,000 interior plus 70,000 outdoor), pursue ILFI Zero Carbon certification (the world's first for a convention center), and reopen in 2029. Current ACCD certifications include LEED Gold EB (USGBC) and GBAC STAR, and the department maintains recurring industry recognition including the ConventionSouth Reader's Choice Award (12+ times), Stella Awards, Smart Stars Awards, and Meetings Today Best Convention Center.

Name

Austin Convention Center

Legal name

Austin Convention Center Department

Website

https://austinconventioncenter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Austin Convention Center Department is a City of Austin enterprise department operating a 365,000-square-foot downtown convention center (expanding to 620,000 sq ft in 2029) that rents exhibit halls, ballrooms, and meeting rooms to convention organizers, trade shows, sports tournaments, and consumer events, currently closed for a $1.6 billion redevelopment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Convention Center and Event Venue Services

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers) (THAHAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Conference & Convention Center Catering (THAHAKAB)

Keywords

• Convention center services
• Event venue rental
• Trade show facilities
• Meeting and event spaces
• Catering and hospitality services

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Facility Rental: Revenue from renting exhibit halls, ballrooms, meeting rooms, and event spaces to organizers of conventions, conferences, trade shows, and events. The center offers five exhibit halls with 247,052 square feet of column-free space, seven ballrooms, and 54 meeting rooms.
2. Parking Services: Revenue from two parking garages (2nd Street Garage with 1,000 spaces and 5th Street Garage with 685 spaces) with tiered hourly and daily rates up to $48/day maximum.
3. Catering and Food Service: Exclusive in-house catering through Levy Restaurants, offering food and beverage services for events with Southwest-inspired menus using local ingredients from 30+ area vendors.
4. Technology Services: Revenue from wired internet connections (Standard: 10 Mbps; Premium: 15 Mbps), telephone services, and technical support for exhibitors and event organizers.
5. Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT): As an enterprise department, funding comes from HOT revenues (6.9% earmarked for Convention Center Fund), additional 2% expansion HOT approved in 2019, and Convention Center revenues. Not funded by property taxes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Austin Convention Center rents a 365,000-square-foot downtown Austin venue—comprising five exhibit halls with 247,052 sq ft of column-free space, seven ballrooms, 54 meeting rooms, and 17 loading docks—to organizers of conventions, conferences, trade shows, corporate meetings, exhibitions, and consumer events. The core offering is bundled with on-site support services including wired and wireless internet, digital signage, security, utilities, exclusive catering by Levy Restaurants, rigging and AV via Freeman Audio Visual, parking in two on-site garages, and a 70,000 sq ft off-site warehouse and marshalling yard.

Product overview

Austin Convention Center operates as a unified venue offering core event hosting capabilities through its convention center facility, supplemented by comprehensive support services. The portfolio includes: the main Austin Convention Center (365,000 sq ft expanding to 620,000 sq ft in 2029) with exhibit halls, ballrooms, and meeting rooms; Technology Services (high-density WiFi, 10 Gbps redundant internet, single-mode fiber); Catering by Levy Restaurants; Parking Services (1,685 spaces across two garages); Rigging and AV through Freeman Audio Visual; 24-hour Security; Exhibitor Online Ordering Portal (Ungerboeck); Utilities Services; and a 70,000 sq ft Marshalling Yard/Warehouse. The UnconventionalATX expansion project will nearly double rentable space by 2029.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Austin Convention Center Venue Rental
• Technology Services
• Catering Services
• Parking Garages
• Rigging and Audio Visual Services
• Security Services
• Exhibitor Online Ordering Portal
• Marshalling Yard and Warehouse
• Utilities Services

Quantifiable outcome

• $750 million annual economic impact when expansion complete
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• LMN/Page Joint VentureflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 April 2025Joint venture of LMN Architects and Page Southerland Page serving as lead design firm for the $1.6 billion UnconventionalATX redevelopment project. Both firms are recognized globally for civic and convention space design. Responsible for architectural design emphasizing sustainability, accessibility, and pedestrian-friendly pathways.
• JE Dunn/Turner Joint VentureflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Joint venture of JE Dunn and Turner Construction serving as construction managers for the convention center redevelopment. Both are recognized as leaders in large-scale construction projects. Responsible for overseeing construction activities including diaphragm wall construction, demolition, and new facility build.
• Visit AustincoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial destination marketing and sales organization for City of Austin. Partnership for promoting Austin as a premier convention and tourism destination. Tom Noonan, President & CEO, provides support and public endorsement for convention center projects and initiatives.
• Levy RestaurantscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerChicago-based Levy Restaurants manages exclusive in-house catering at the Austin Convention Center. Led by Executive Chef Brad Kelly, the catering team specializes in Southwest-inspired cuisine using local ingredients from 30+ area vendors. Provides all food and beverage services for events.
• Freeman Audio VisualcoreTechnology or IntegrationExclusive rigging vendor and preferred audio visual vendor for the Austin Convention Center. Provides professional AV equipment and services including rigging capabilities for events requiring audio-visual setup.
• Trail of LightsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAustin community event that the convention center partners with through funding or space provision as part of commitment to sustaining local cultural events.
• Pecan Street FestivalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAustin community festival that the convention center supports through partnership to promote positive activities and cultural events in the city.
• Viva La Vida Fest (Mexic-Arte Museum)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual festival presented by Mexic-Arte Museum that the convention center partners with to support Austin's cultural community and arts programming.
• Austin City LimitsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIconic Austin music institution that the convention center partners with to promote Austin's Live Music Capital identity and cultural events.
• Palmer Events CentercoreOthersSister facility located at 900 Barton Springs Road, operated by the Austin Convention Center Department. Remains open during main center's closure for redevelopment and available for bookings as an alternative venue.
• Austin EnergycoreOthersCity of Austin utility providing GreenChoice program renewable energy (wind turbines) that powers the convention center with 100% renewable energy.
• International Living Future Institute (ILFI)coreOthersOrganization providing Zero Carbon certification for the new convention center, making it the world's first zero-carbon-certified convention center.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Direct peers

• McCormick Place (Chicago): North America's largest convention center; directly comparable to Austin in offering large exhibit halls, ballrooms, and meeting space for trade shows and association conferences.
• Colorado Convention Center (Denver): Recently expanded downtown convention center with a comparable exhibit hall footprint and similar mix of convention, trade show, and association clients as Austin.
• Orange County Convention Center (Orlando): Among the largest convention complexes in the US, hosting mega-events like IAAPA and trade shows; directly comparable to Austin in facility scope, target clients, and convention district model.
• Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center (Dallas): Major Texas-region convention center with comparable exhibit hall and meeting space, often competing with Austin for the same Texas and Southwest association clients.
• Music City Center (Nashville): Modern, LEED-certified convention center in a major US entertainment city; closely comparable to Austin in scale (~2.1M sq ft), music/tech branding, and recently expanded footprint.
• Las Vegas Convention Center: Operated by the LVCVA, it is one of the largest and most active convention venues in the US, hosting major trade shows and expositions — directly comparable in scale and target customer base to Austin Convention Center.
• San Diego Convention Center: Waterfront convention venue hosting major conventions (e.g., Comic-Con) with exhibit halls and ballrooms; directly comparable to Austin in facility type and event mix.
• Georgia World Congress Center (Atlanta): Large downtown convention venue with exhibit halls and ballrooms serving major trade shows and consumer expos; directly comparable in offering and customer segments to Austin.
• Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (New Orleans): Major Gulf Coast convention venue with similar facility design and convention/trade show focus; directly comparable in offering to Austin Convention Center.
• Henry B. González Convention Center (San Antonio): Texas-based convention center competing for regional and Southwest events; comparable in scale (~1.6M sq ft) and customer base to Austin.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@austinconventioncenter
• Xx.com/atxconventions

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Austin Convention Center