INDUSTRY NEWS

Conventional wisdom

Voters in Austin, TX, have ensured that neither propellerheads nor Waller Creek will overrun Semicon Southwest trade shows after the turn of the century. Citizens of the Texas capital city approved a bond issue in May that will raise $110 million to double the size of the Austin Convention Center. Semicon Southwest exhibitors have filled the 126,000-sq-ft site to the bursting point for the past several Octobers. The size of the waiting list prompted speculation that future shows could move to Dallas.

With the yes vote Austinites also approved construction of a $25-million flood control tunnel that reduces the threat of a flash flood from Waller Creek, which flows by the convention center. The measure calls for an increase in the city's hotel tax from 13% to 15%. The tax increase "brings us more in line with other Texas cities," says Gwen Spain, a spokeswoman for the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau. Spain says a tip of the Stetson goes to Terry Berke, manager of SEMI's Austin office. "He really was one of the people who talked about the need for the expansion and how [SEMI] wanted to be here." The 1997 show attracted 670 exhibitors; 1996 saw 570.

Rick Heim, SEMI's trade show director, is exultant. According to Heim, the enlarged facility will be ready around 2002. "I don't remember who was on the waiting list," he says, "but we'll come damn close to filling [the center] the year it opens. We're thrilled."

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