Convention & Visitors Bureau Releases New CD

With more than 150 live music venues and nearly 1,900 musical acts in residence, great live music can be heard in Austin 365 days a year.

To showcase this talent, the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau produces compact discs featuring Austin musicians. The newest compilation, "Austin Music, Vol. 5," premiered last week with CD release parties at the Austin Visitor Center and Lucky Lounge. Read More



Annual March Madness Is Here

March Madness brings more than 500,000 visitors eager to enjoy basketball, music, golf and more. Their presence represents an estimated economic impact of more than $50 million for Austin. This year, new events, including a St. Patrick's Day Parade, add to the busy March calendar that already includes South by Southwest and Rodeo Austin.
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Downtown Hotels
Near Completion

White Lodging Services recently held a "topping-off" ceremony for the Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn. The adjoining properties, at the corner of W. Fourth and Trinity streets, open in August.
Pictured at right: Glenn West, ACVB Board Chair; Bob Lander, President and CEO of ACVB; Mayor Will Wynn; Bruce White, Chairman and CEO White Lodging Services; Jon Peck, Senior VP; and Roger Radtke, GM Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott Austin Downtown.


Noteworthy
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New Online Travel Package Launched

Visitor Center Hires Assistant Manager

New Washington Office

The Top 25 Colleges for Latinos

Hispanic magazine
(March 2006)
University of Texas ranks #22
"In terms of sports, science, humanities and research, UT is one of the country's best and students show a fierce pride in their school. Located in the middle of Austin, the heart of Texas' political and art worlds, student life mirrors the city's eclecticism."

Hoedown Lowdown

Daily Mirror
(November 26, 2005)
"Houston and Dallas may lay claim to being the heart of Texas, but after my short stay here I'm convinced that the soul of the state resides in Austin."

Texas' Green City

Organic Gardening
(February/March 2006)
"More than a million bats can't be wrong. These fascinating, beneficial creatures are just one reason to visit Austin...Any time of year, there's a lot going on--the South by Southwest Music Festival fills the town with music every March, and there is plenty to do if you are a gardener or garden enthusiast and have some time on your hands."


 

Oasis Back in Business

When the popular Oasis Restaurant burned during a lightening storm last summer, the fire made national headlines. After all, Texans declare the Oasis their favorite place to watch the sun set, thereby legitimizing the restaurant's claim as the "Sunset Capital of Texas."
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March 9-10
Association of Writers
and Writing Programs
2006 AWP Annual Convention
Austin Convention Center
www.awpwriter.org
Est. Attendance 2,000
 
 
March 9-11
University of Interscholastic League
2006 Boys State Basketball Tournament
Frank Erwin Center
www.uil.utexas.edu
Est. Attendance 108,000
 
 
March 10-19
South by Southwest
Austin Convention Center
www.sxsw.com
Est. Attendance 22,000
 
 
March 11-12
2006 Austin Artist Harvest FACET
Palmer Events Center
www.artistsharvest.com
Est. Attendance 5,000
 
 
March 18-19
Vintage Market and Event Company
2006 City-Wide Garage Sale
Palmer Events Center
www.cwgs.com
Est. Attendance 2,500
 
 
March 25
Music Teachers National Association
2006 MTNA National Conference
Austin Convention Center
www.mtna.org
Est. Attendance 2,000
 
 
March 25
2006 Travis County Democratic
Party Convention
Palmer Events Center
www.traviscountydemocrats.org
Est. Attendance 2,000
 
 
March 30-31
Association of Texas
Professional Educators
2006 ATPE Annual Convention
Austin Convention Center
www.atpe.org
Est. Attendance 1,500