ATLANTA (Feb. 6, 2002) - With six more weeks of winter, the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) is preparing for several major events that bring national attention to Atlanta.

The months of February and March will be busy with conventions, meetings and the road to the Final Four.

February gets off to a quick start as the Georgia World Congress Center hosts the 2002 International Builders' Show Feb. 8-11. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) will celebrate its 58th annual convention and exposition in Halls A-H of the Congress Center. This event is the largest of its kind and it attracts more than 70,000 attendees from all across the globe.

On Feb. 18-20, the Congress Center will host the VNU Expositions Training 2002 Conference & Expo. This event is the largest international event covering training, e-learning and business presentations that address human performance at work. The convention will be held in Halls E and F.

Following the Training Conference & Expo is the Southern Council of Optometrists Conference Feb. 21-23. This three-day educational conference for optometrists and their staffs will take place in Halls A-B.

The Georgia Dome is home to Clear Channel Entertainment's Motor Sports SUPERCROSS Feb. 23. Top riders compete for titles on a manmade dirt racetrack built especially for the motorcycles on the Dome floor. This is a public event. Tickets may be purchased at the Georgia Dome Box Office, ticketmaster.com or charged by phone at 404.223.9200.

Centennial Olympic Park will host the 11th Annual Run for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Feb. 23 in the North Park area. The race will include a 10K Peachtree Road Race Qualifier at 8 a.m., a 2K Family Fun Run/Walk at 8:05 a.m., and a 5K Run/Walk at 9:15 a.m.

On March 16-17, the American Craft Council will hold its 13th Annual Craft Show at the Georgia World Congress Center. This event will feature more than 250 contemporary craft artists from across the country. The ACC Craft Show will be held in Hall B. This is a public event. Tickets cost $7 for one day and $12 for both days.

The Hinman Dental Meeting will take over Halls A - C of the Georgia World Congress Center March 22-24. Attendees will be able to get the latest products and services in the dental profession from more 400 exhibitors. In addition to numerous education seminars, the Hinman Dental Meeting will also have a number of special events for its attendees.

March Madness invades the Georgia Dome for basketball fans from across the country. The SEC Men's Basketball Tournament will be held March 7-10. Visit www.gadome.com to purchase your tickets for this event. As spring warms up Atlanta, things heat up at the Georgia Dome again for the NCAA Final Four March 30 - April 1. College basketball teams will duke it out for the national title to a sell-out crowd. In conjunction with this event, the Georgia World Congress Center will host NCAA Hoops City March 29 - April 1.