ATLANTA (Dec. 3, 2001) - With the completion of the Phase IV expansion expected in the summer of 2002, the Georgia World Congress Center Authority has a busy year ahead.

     The early part of 2002 will be packed with exciting sporting events and mega tradeshows. Here is a quick rundown of what's up next for the GWCC, the Georgia Dome and Centennial Olympic Park.

Monster Jam will invade the Georgia Dome Jan. 12. Monster Jam is considered to be the Super Bowl of MotorSports. You don't want to miss this mega-monster truck extravaganza that is currently sweeping the nation. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and tickets may be purchased from sfx.com, ticketmaster.com, the Georgia Dome Box Office or charged by-phone at 404.223.9200.

     The International Poultry Exposition will be held Jan. 16-18. This tradeshow features the latest technology and equipment used in the production, and processing of poultry and eggs. Every segment of the poultry and egg industry is represented at this show: feed milling, live production, hatchery, processing, further processing, packaging, marketing and all support activities. In 2001, about 22,300 industry decision-makers from around the world attended the show. This year's show is expected to be all that and more.

     From Feb. 8-11, the Georgia World Congress Center will host the largest annual construction industry show in the world. The International Builders' Show invites you to see the latest in building technologies and to network with nearly 73,000 construction company owners, managers and lead staff from 95 countries. Thousands of new products and technologies will be on display by the world's foremost suppliers.

     If you are a basketball fan, then the Georgia Dome is the place to be for March Madness. The Men's SEC Basketball Tournament will be held at the Dome March 7-10.

The NCAA Final Four takes to the Dome March 30 and April 1. And if that's not enough, the Dome serves as host to a variety of college basketball events in the years to come, including the NCAA Women's Final Four in 2003; the SEC Men's Tournament in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008; the NCAA South Regional in 2004; the NCAA Men's Final Four in 2007 and the ACC Men's Tournament in 2009 .

The 2002 American Craft Council Craft Show will take place at the GWCC for its 12th annual show March 17 and 18. This show is the most prestigious gathering of craft artists in the southeast and has become one of the most sought after venues to show off today's crafts. This event will feature more than 200 contemporary craft artists.

     With the spring, comes ParkFest 2002 at Centennial Olympic Park April 20-21. Kicking off the Park's warm weather season of outdoor festivals and fun, ParkFest features headline entertainment, an artist market, children's activities and roving performers. The free, two-day festival will conclude each evening with a dramatic fireworks show, complete with special effects set against the beautiful downtown skyline.

     The very popular "On the Bricks" free, concert series returns to Centennial Olympic Park each Friday from May 24 to Aug.16 (except for July 5 due to the Independence Day festivities at the Park July 4). Mad Booking will once again produce the concerts, and the event will be presented in conjunction with WSTR-Star 94 FM and Centennial Olympic Park .

     Looking further into the summer months, SUPERCOMM will become the first tradeshow to fill the new Phase IV exhibit halls in June. Two months later, the International Woodworking Machinery & Furniture Supply Fair (IWF) will be the first show in the completed expansion of the Georgia World Congress Center.