The first major conference booked at the new Embassy Suites Hotel and San Marcos Conference Center, now under construction, will be the Texas College & University Facilities Conference slated for Jan. 7-9, 2009.

"We are delighted to have such an important organization make the first major booking," said Mayor Susan Narvaiz. "This will be the first of many wonderful conventions, meetings and celebrations at our beautiful new conference center and hotel."

Ruth Buck, director of Sales for Embassy Suites, made the announcement.

Officials from the city of San Marcos, J.Q. Hammons Hotels and Resorts, Flintco Construction, Broaddus & Associates, Texas State University-San Marcos and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio celebrated the announcement at a recent tour of the new facility.

Nancy Nusbaum of Texas State University-San Marcos and Hector Gonzalez of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio are co-hosts of the TCUF conference.

They say they expect to draw 400 facilities professionals representing universities, health related institutions, community colleges, independent universities, system offices, the coordinating board and industry from across Texas.

The conference will provide an opportunity to learn about facilities planning, design and construction; facilities maintenance and operations and facilities data reporting.

The 10-story Embassy Suites Hotel and San Marcos Conference Center are scheduled to open this fall. A number of smaller events are slated for the end of the year at the new hotel, spa and convention center.

The San Marcos Conference Center is a 77,300-gross-square-foot facility built and owned by the city of San Marcos and managed by John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts. Features include 50,000 net square feet of flexible ballroom and meeting space, full banquet and catering services and high tech audio/visual equipment.

The connecting 10-story, full service Embassy Suites Hotel with 283 suites, developed, owned and managed by John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, will include a spa with massage and treatment rooms, fitness rooms, pool, restaurant, café and bar, business center and meeting rooms, interior water features, 10-story atrium and glass-backed elevators.

City officials say the project will bring economic impact to the city by meeting the demand for a venue to host conferences, trade shows, expos and other events. The project will also capitalize on the proximity of the San Marcos Outlet Mall, one of the most popular shopping destinations in the state, officials said.