Food and Beverage
13.1 Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages may not be brought into the facility by any person or outside service. The PEC catering is exclusive to the in-house food and beverage management company (ACC Catering). Additional Event Staff or an LPO may be required for event functions serving alcohol.
The sales and service of all alcohol in the facility is regulated by the Texas Alcoholic and Beverage Commission (TABC). It is the PEC’s responsibility to abide by and administer such rules. All alcoholic beverages must be dispensed by TABC trained facility personnel only.
Pursuant to Texas State law, it is illegal to serve alcoholic beverages to a minor less than twenty-one (21) years of age. Legal and valid identification will be requested of any individual who appears to be thirty (30) years of age or younger.
PEC personnel have the right to refuse service to any patron for any reason.
Alcohol may not be taken out of the facility.
13.2 Concession Services (Permanent and Portable)
Concessions, alcoholic beverages, and catering services are exclusive to the in-house food and beverage management company (ACC Catering) Arrangements for catering services must be made through your assigned Catering Manager.
The PEC has the right to open and maintain concession stands for any event at the facility. The PEC has exclusive contracts with certain food and beverage providers.
Portable concessions and bars may be located in other areas of the facility. Portable concession and bar areas require power; therefore, specific placement is recommended in the following areas. Please coordinate this placement directly with your Catering Manager.
PEC requires a thirty-by-thirty-foot (30’ x 30’) concession area to service five hundred (500) attendees if no other food options are available; a thirty -foot by sixty- foot (30’x 60’) area is required to service one thousand plus (1000+) attendees. This space is for the equipment only; additional space is needed for seating.
Exhibit floor plans must indicate the thirty-by-thirty-foot (30’ x 30’) areas for concession equipment in each hall. Additional space is required to accommodate seating.
Portable concession stands require access to four (4) floor pockets for power requirements or may require a location near a 208-volt power source.
PEC permanent concession locations may not be blocked at any time.
13.3 Catering Inventory & Prep Space
Equipment is maintained to accommodate simultaneous events and is assigned on a first-come first-served basis. In the event that additional equipment needs to be rented to accommodate service: i.e. additional glassware, china, table linens, tables, tents, reefer trucks or portable kitchens, the client will be billed for rental of equipment and labor to set the equipment needed to meet event requirements.
Plated Meal Services may require additional space within exhibit halls when accommodating groups larger than 1000 guests. Please speak with your Catering Manager for more details.
13.4 Food Show Requirements
Exhibitors distributing food and/or beverage at events must obtain a food permit from the City of Austin Health Department and comply with all rules and regulations. Please coordinate this type of activity directly with your Catering Sales Manager/ACC Catering. Download the Exhibitor Guidelines and Regulations for Food and Beverage document.
No open flame cooking of any type is allowed in exhibit/booth space
Exhibits involving food preparation must provide a clean-up area or use those provided by the Client. Exhibitors are responsible for providing or renting a sink as a washing area.
The following is a list of requirements for food displays:
- a. Chafing dishes are to be designed with a shelf for the fuel or the chafing dish is to be placed on a sheet pan.
- b. Only wicked sternos are permitted in the building.
- c. Devices producing open flames, including sternos, are not allowed in exhibit areas.
- d. A fire watch may be required. The Client is responsible for such expenses incurred.
- e. All heat sources must be at least four feet (4’) from the public aisle way.
13.5 Novelty Items
A novelty item is any non-food or beverage item for sale such as books, programs, photography, t-shirts, coffee cups, cozies, records, tapes, or souvenirs commemorating a specific event or program, such as a concert, conference, or convention.
The Director reserves the right to determine which items are considered merchandise or novelty.
Exhibitors may give away free items to event attendees.
13.6 Permits
Clients with exhibitors distributing food and/or beverage at events open to the public must obtain a food permit from the City of Austin Health Department and comply with all rules and regulations. Special permits are required for event activities such as exhibits involving cooking, pyrotechnics, tents, multi-level or covered exhibits and other potentially hazardous situations. Each situation must be individually approved by the PEC and the regulatory agency.
13.7 Sample Sizes
The PEC retains the exclusive right to provide, control and retain all food and beverage services for events. Samples are limited to three ounces (3oz.) of beverage (non-alcoholic) and a one ounce (1 oz.) food portion. The Client is responsible for informing exhibitors of all the sample size food and beverage requirements and is also responsible for enforcement. Written authorization is required for distribution of sample size food and/or beverage products.
Exhibitors giving away and/or selling food and non-alcoholic beverage products must obtain a permit and pay appropriate fees required by the City of Austin Health Department as well as applicable sales tax to the state of Texas. No Exhibitor may sell food or beverage for on-site consumption.
The Client and the client’s exhibitors are fully responsible for any and all liabilities resulting from consumption of their products.
Exhibitors requesting to distribute beer, wine or other alcoholic beverages must contact the in-house food and beverage management company (ACC Catering).
Please reference the Exhibitor Guidelines and Regulations for Food and Beverage document for more information.
13.8 Services
Catering services are available to Clients. Arrangements for catering services must be made through your assigned Catering Manager.
For a list of services, current pricing and menu items, please refer to the Catering page.