ATLANTA (Dec. 20) - The Georgia World Congress Center Authority will kick off 2002 with a bang. The month of January will be filled with popular trade shows, special events and extravagant receptions at the GWCC.

    The Atlanta Boat Show sails into Halls A, B and C of the Congress Center on Jan. 2-6. This public event showcases houseboats, sailboats, runabouts, cruisers, pontoons, canoes, kayaks and personal watercraft. There will be many accessory booths for products such as fishing equipment, electronics and outdoor travel destinations. Tickets cost $8 for adults and $3 for children 6-12. Children 5 and younger are admitted free to the Atlanta Boat Show.

    Mayor-elect Shirley Franklin will hold her Inaugural Ball at the Georgia World Congress Center in Halls D and E on Jan. 5. The GWCC is proud to host this premier event that will set the stage for a new era in Atlanta. This is a ticketed event. For more information, please contact the Shirley Franklin Inaugural Office at 404-659-7666.

    The 2002 Trumpet Awards will be held Jan. 7 in the Thomas P. Murphy Ballroom of the GWCC. The 10th Anniversary of this Turner Broadcasting event will honor African-American achievers in such fields as education, politics and entertainment. This is a private, ticketed event. For more information about the Trumpet Awards, please call 404-827-1718.

    The Georgia Dome will host the SFX Motor Sports Monster Jam on Jan. 12. This event, considered by many as the Super Bowl of Motor sports, will feature Monster Trucks, Quad Wars and Pro Stadium Trucks. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. This is a public event. Tickets cost $20 (gold circle), $15 (regular adults) and $10 (children). Tickets may be purchased at the Georgia Dome Box Office, sfx.com, Ticketmaster.com or charged by phone at 404-223-9200.

    The International Poultry Exposition is a mega trade show that will take over the Georgia World Congress Center Jan. 16-18. This event, which represents every segment of the poultry and egg industry, will take place in Halls A - H. Learn about feed milling, live production, hatchery, processing, packaging, marketing and all support activities at the International Poultry Exposition.

    The 2002 Healthcare Information Management Systems Society Conference and Exhibition will be held in the Thomas P. Murphy Ballroom, the Sidney J. Marcus Auditorium and several meetings rooms Jan. 27-31. This event features the newest developments and innovations in the healthcare industry. More than 600 exhibitors will demonstrate state-of-the-art technology and more than 150 education sessions will be held.

For more information, call 877-914-4677.