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The 297 room AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center at The
University of Texas at Austin Deploys the Latest Technologies
and Environmental Sensibilities
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AUSTIN, Texas -- January 20, 2009 - The new AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center at The University of Texas at Austin provides functionalities and technological features unavailable at any academic-based site of its type in the nation.
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AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center
1900 University Avenue, Austin, Texas 78705
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Educational conferences such as symposia, large executive programs and professional conferences convene in a sophisticated learning environment capable of fulfilling the most complex education and conferencing needs: 
  • 40,000 square feet of dedicated meeting space: a 300-seat tiered amphitheater, 800-seat divisible ballroom (10,000 sq. ft.), three 90-seat tiered classrooms, four 65-seat tiered classrooms, five conference rooms (one 1,900 sq.-ft.), and 12 breakout rooms; 
  • AT&T�s application of current technology to the particular needs of educational meetings brings an unprecedented ability to �plug in� to technology throughout the facility, from guest rooms to lobbies to meeting spaces, including all seven tiered classrooms with personal data ports and power connections wired for each seat; 
  • and superior quality dining and catering experiences in varied settings including dedicated conferee dining plus three restaurants, presented with platinum service and a conscience for sustainability. 
The only meeting center in downtown Austin fully approved by the International Association of Conference Centers, the facility is at the south gateway to the campus. The center offers inspiring views of The University of Texas at Austin Tower and the Texas State Capitol.
Convening and sleeping in the shadows of these two great symbols, conferees can feel the extension of promise and power in the university�s slogan, �What starts here, changes the world.�

The conference experience is enhanced by:

  • 297 stylish and energy-conscious guest rooms, including 21 suites, offer high-speed Internet connections and voice-over Internet protocol (IP) telephones; 
  • a full range of dining pleasures with platinum service: an upscale restaurant, a casual café, a coffee/light fare bar, an inviting cocktail lounge with video entertainment, a poolside snack bar, and guest room dining; 
  • underground, attached garage parking, valet and limited transportation service; 
  • and guest amenities including a fitness center, swimming pool, and a serene central courtyard filled with native Texas plants. 
From the concrete that formed its structure to the soap at the wash basin, this facility has been constructed with an environmental sensibility. The AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center is built to the U.S. Green Building Council�s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification standards. 

The University of Texas at Austin and its manager Flik Conference Center Management have implemented many sustainable features in design and construction, accommodations, dining and facility maintenance.
 

DURING CONSTRUCTION
  • Exterior limestone and brick purchased locally to reduce fuel use and pollution 
  • Concrete structure is 20 percent fly ash, a remnant of burning coal obtained from a nearby power plant, which would otherwise have become landfill 
  • Exterior skin has insulation outside the wall structure to reduce energy leakage 
  • Low-emissivity glass windows limit heat radiation 
  • Indoor air quality controlled for low emissions of odors from building materials and furnishings 
  • Extensive recycling program resulting in over 75 percent of construction waste being recycled 
AROUND THE FACILITY
  • Courtyard has native plants from the five ecological regions of Texas, using drip irrigation 
  • Parking garage has two-stage lighting based on motion sensor and occupancy, offers reserved parking for hybrid and high-efficiency vehicles 
  • Two mature live oak trees were reclaimed from the construction site of Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium and now call the center grounds home 
  • Compact fluorescent lighting which uses considerably less energy is installed throughout the facility, including guest rooms 
  • Extensive use of recycled paper products 
  • Dumpster with cardboard compactor to reduce landfill volume 
  • Extensive use of Green Seal, biodegradable cleaning products 
IN THE CONFERENCE AREAS
  • All systems and devices are of energy saver design and built for energy efficiency 
  • Wall panels, ceiling tiles and other treatments incorporate recycled materials wherever possible are noted for the high degree of sound-dampening qualities to reduce �noise bleed� between meeting rooms 
  • Filtered water with glasses in lieu of bottled water 
  • Recycling containers 
IN THE GUEST ROOMS
  • Thermostat regulates temperature by signal that detects guest presence 
  • Cleaning methods emphasize biodegradable products in reusable containers 
  • Reusable glasses and mugs in guest rooms 
  • Towel and sheet re-use program 
  • �Green� Aveda bathroom amenities 
  • Low-flow plumbing in guest bathrooms 
IN THE DINING AREAS
  • Organic, local and farmed-fresh foods 
  • Milk is RBGH FREE 
  • Chicken is antibiotic and hormone free 
  • Eggs are cage free 
  • Beef is raised on 100% grain-based diet 
  • Fish is never frozen 

As the official communications partner of the center, AT&T has deployed the latest technology to provide a superior infrastructure, enriching the communications and learning experience for continuing education students and guests and connecting the worlds of academia and commerce.

The AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center at The University of Texas at Austin provides a world-class residential learning environment with advanced technology and sophisticated hospitality. To learn more about the features of the meeting space, dining facilities, and guest rooms, visit http://www.meetattexas.com .

Flik Conference Center Management

FLIK International Corp, a member of the Compass Group family, was founded in 1971 by Rüdiger and Julie Flik. FLIK�s operations expanded from the Private School & College Market to include Corporate Dining and Conference Center Management. FLIK is headquartered in Rye Brook, New York and serves over 230 clients with over 4,000 employees.

Furthering Compass Group�s mission of being specialists in each market segment, FLIK chose to strengthen the brand by creating separate sectors. With culinary heritage as the base, the FLIK brand now encompasses an education sector, business and industry sector and the conference center sector, all focusing specifically on growing those sectors.

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Contact:

Sue Ellen Jackson, 
Marketing and Communications
512-345-5259

Rhonda Weldon, 
Employee and Campus Services
512-471-4472
 

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Also See: The University of North Carolina Selects Destination Hotels & Resorts to Manage the Carolina Inn and Rizzo Conference Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina / July 2008
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