Alameda County Fairgrounds Offers Businesses a Different Kind of Venue for Events

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

If it is June, it is time for the Alameda County Fair to come to town, with its carnival rides, horse races, great food and exhibits. Beyond the fair, however, the Fairgrounds has much to offer businesses year-round with a variety of venue choices for corporate events. With its ten buildings of over 131,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space, and 267 acres of park-like grounds, your next corporate event can be something truly out of the ordinary.

"We offer a great venue for trainings, seminars, catered events, conferences and trade shows," says the Fairgrounds Events and Marketing Manager April Mitchell. "Our buildings are surrounded by lush park-like scenery and provide a wonderful change to the traditional expo or conference center."

There are a wide variety of venues to choose from to fit the specific needs of your event. Multiple picnic facilities in beautifully shaded areas can accommodate outdoor eating for groups from 50 to 5,000 guests. The Pleasanton Amphitheater which plays host throughout the year to music concerts, entertainment and special events, has a seating capacity of 3,000. The newly renovated Palm Pavilion includes over 5,000 square feet of entertainment space, which has hosted numerous corporate meetings, fundraisers and weddings. The pavilion overlooks a nine-hole golf course with a professional 75-tee driving range. The Satellite Wagering Facility totals 30,000 square feet, equipped with over 100 television screens and state-of-the-art audio visual equipment. Lighted parking facilities, patrolled by uniformed gate guards, allow for more than 12,000 total vehicles.

To help organize your event, the Fairground's Special Events organization provides a full-service, affordable option. Event services include event planning, expertise, supervision, and advertising services. Because the Fairgrounds is non-profit and independent, businesses have more choices for event production allowing for effective budget management.

"Our staff accommodates every need from meeting "break-out" spaces to audio visual equipment to high-end catered meals in the Palm Pavilion by the golf course," explains Mitchell. The Fairgrounds' onsite professional catering company, Ovations, provides catering and concession services, company picnics, elegant special events and custom menu planning. Event Support Services include everything from venue decorating assistance and signage and banner production to technology services and ticket takers.

Many businesses throughout the Bay Area have taken advantage of the Fairgrounds event offerings. Examples of the many corporate events held at the Fairgrounds include Ford Motor Training Session, U.S. Food Service Trade Show, De Silva Gates 75th Anniversary Employee Party, and the Home Builders Association Trade Show.

Future improvements are in the works for 2008 says Mitchell. "The association is currently in the process of implementing an all-new, all-grounds network infrastructure for enhanced features to the Fairgrounds' security, public address, and Internet offerings."

For further information, contact April Mitchell at (925) 426-7600 or email april@alamedacountyfair.com. You can also access the Fairground's website at www.alamedacountyfair.com for a description of facilities.

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