It would be a pleasure to visit the Moscone Center in San Francisco, which is the biggest exhibition center in the city. Some of the world's most renowned exhibitions and conventions are hosted in the Center. There are three air-conditioned halls, named as the North Hall, South Hall and the West Exhibition Hall. The first two are underground and the third one facing the main street. The venue has been named after George Moscone, the former city mayor who was killed in 1978.

the Moscone Center hosts small corporate meetings as well as large conventions and banquets such as MacWorld Expo, Game Developers Conference and American Bar Association's annual meeting, to name a few. The center is open only during special events so it is recommended to visitors to call and visit the place.

The San Francisco convention center is run by a large solar electricity system, which was installed in 2004. the center is built with environmental friendly materials and the authorities have undertaken a great initiative to make the area pollution-free with a lot of greenery.

Located close to the South Market area, the area is well-connected to the downtown and other central locations. It is a nice place to visit with family and friends because there are a number of attractions such as shopping centers, hotels and nice restaurants near by. You can reach the place by the Amtrak rail and bus services, private car or taxicab. After a casual visit to the Moscone Center, you can explore dining options such as Bong Su for Vietnamese cuisine, XYZ for exotic American delicacies or Thirsty Bear for Spanish dishes and drinks.

San Francisco's largest convention and exhibition complex, Moscone Center was initially built in 1981 and has witnessed great historical events like the 1984 Democratic National Convention, WonderCon (an annual comic book, science fiction and motion picture convention) and MacWorld Expo (the most distinguished exposition at the center).

Consisting of three buildings, Moscone Center was originally built as one single hall - Moscone South, named after San Francisco former mayor George Moscone. The whole complex was completed with the expansion of Moscone North in 1992 and Moscone West in 2003. The expansion added an extra 600,000 square feet to its original 300,000 square feet of exhibit space.

When it comes to the newest building, Moscone West is an exhibition center as part of the Moscone Center. With a separate entrance on 4th Street between Howard and Mission Streets, the Moscone West is located at 800 Howard Street (between 4th Street and Holland Ct). Its location offers easy access to downtown San Francisco and major public transportation such as BART and Muni Metro.

Moscone West has three levels. The first level features a 96,660-square-foot exhibit hall and a 27,540-square-foot lobby. The second level is made up of 19 meeting rooms and a 28,261-square-foot lobby. The third level comprises 19 meeting rooms, a 56,294-square-foot ballroom and a 28,261-square-foot lobby.

For exact capacity figures and room capacity, check this page:

Moscone West Floor Plans

http://www.moscone.com/mtgplanners/floorplans/west.shtml

Note: Moscone Center doesn't rent individual meeting rooms. These rooms are offered for use only along with rental of major exhibit halls. If you are an exhibitor or a participant onsite, you may get in touch with show office about availability for meeting space during their show. Or check with the event's sponsoring organization about room availability.

This newest building hosts many large events each year. Now, most of the conventions and trade shows at the center are held at Moscone West. The upcoming events taking place at this building include:

- Google I/O 2011 (May 10 - 11, 2011) - bringing thousands of developers together for deep technical content, centered on building the next generation of web, mobile and enterprise applications with Google and open web technologies

- INTA 133rd Annual Meeting (May 14 - 18, 2011) - the trademark community's principle event for networking, continuing legal education and committee as well as client meetings

- Citrix Synergy 2011 (May 24 - 26, 2011) - the international conference where virtual computing takes center stage

- Apple WWDC 2011 (June 6 - 10, 2011) - a preview of the future of iOS and Mac OS X

- America's Health Insurance Plans Institute 2011 (June 15 - 17, 2011)

- Corporate Event (June 22 - 23, 2011)

- NAFCU 44th Annual Conference & Exhibition (June 29 - July 2)

You can explore more info about upcoming events at the center on this page:

Upcoming Events at Moscone Center

http://www.moscone.com/site/do/event/list

Note: There is no wheelchair rental available at the Moscone Center. If you need a wheelchair when taking part in an event, you need to contact the event's sponsoring organization and let them know. However, the center offers designated handicapped pick-up and drop-off area during events.

In addition, meeting room floors are non-slip, level and accessible to persons in wheelchairs. For the sake of convenience, there are also wheelchair lifts available to use with all raised podiums or head tables.

Initially built in 1982, Moscone Center was named after the slain former mayor. Known for hosting a few large professional gatherings, the iconic complex is the largest convention and exhibition complex in San Francisco.

Conventions, trade shows and events presented in grand style are what the Moscone Center is famous for. In spite of the scope and scale of your event, this versatile venue is more than capable of meeting your requirements. If you are visiting the city soon, don't pass up an opportunity to visit this venue, as you might be lucky enough to stumble upon a trade fare or an exhibition that might interest you.

Moscone Center is located in the downtown district of San Francisco, also known as the SOMA district. This is the South of Market area, spanning from the Embarcadero to 11th Street, between Market and Townsend.

The entire complex is made up of three buildings including Moscone North and Moscone South underneath Yerba Buena Gardens and Moscone West across 4th Street. The specific addresses for them are:

- Moscone North / Moscone South: 747 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 - 3118

- Moscone West: 800 Howard Street (4th Street / Holland Ct), San Francisco, CA 94103 - 3118

To understand the complex's location and structure better, take a glance at the following maps of Moscone Center and its surrounding area.

Area Maps of Moscone Center

http://www.moscone.com/directions/maps.shtml

Route Map of Moscone Center

http://sanfrancisco.citysearch.com/profile/map/869303/san_francisco_ca/moscone_center.html

Map of Hotels near Moscone Center

http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocalMaps-g60713-d1419804-Moscone_Center-Area.html

Located in the urban heart of the downtown district in San Francisco, the Moscone Center is easily accessible by either public transit or self driving. If you prefer to drive to the location, pick up the following directions to the center to make your journey a breeze.

1) From San Francisco International Airport

For visitors driving from San Francisco International Airport, it is advisable to head northwest and keep right at the fork. Take the ramp to US-101 N. Follow the signs for US-101 N / San Francisco and remain right at the fork to merge onto US-101 N. After driving on US-101 N, make a slight right onto I-80 E. Then get off I-80 E for 4th Street via exit 2. Bear left onto Bryant Street and take the first left onto Third Street. While on Third Street, turn left onto Howard Street.

2) From North on I-101

Driving visitors from the north via I-101 are suggested to take I-80 East and then take the 4th Street exit. When on the 4th Street, make a left on Bryant Street. Then take a left on Third Street and a left on Howard Street.

3) Via the Golden Gate Bridge

For visitors who come to the center via the Golden Gate Bridge, it is necessary to take the Lombard Street exit to Van Ness Avenue and bear right on Van Ness. Go south about 2 miles to Grove and turn left on Grove Street. Then drive on to Market Street. After getting to the Market Street, pass through the street and travel south on 8th Street to Folsom. Afterwards, make a left on Folsom, a left on Third Street and a left on Howard Street.

4) By way of the Bay Bridge

If you come to the Moscone Center via the Bay Bridge, take the Fremont Street exit to Howard Street. Then make a left on Howard.

Note: Once you are situated on Howard Street, you will find Moscone Center on the 700 block of Howard Street. Moscone South will be on your left and Moscone North will be on your right. Situated at 4th and Howard Streets, Moscone West has a separate entrance on 4th Street between Howard and Mission Street.

For those who would like to take advantage of public transit, there are several modes of transportation that can take them to the center.

1) The most convenient modes are BART (offering fast, convenient service) and Muni Metro (serving light rail service) throughout the city. To access Moscone North and South, take BART or Muni to Montgomery Station. If going to Moscone West, take BART or Muni to Powell Station.

If you get off at the Powell Street Station, exit to 4th and Market Street. Make a right on 4th Street. Then walk two blocks south and turn left on Howard Street.

2) Caltrain is also an option, offering a frequent service that can get you into the nearby area at 4th & Townsend Streets. After disembarking at the Caltrain Station at 4th & Townsend Streets, catch the #15, #30 or #45 line cross the 4th Street from the station. Get off at the Third and Folsom. Walk one block north and make a left on Howard Street.

3) If you arrive in San Francisco by ferryboat at the Ferry Building, get out of the building onto Embarcadero Boulevard. Walk through the street to a streetcar platform. Make sure to be in front of the Ferry Building. Then take the F-line streetcar to Third Street. After getting off the car, walk down two blocks. The complex is on your right, on either side of Howard Street.

To explore all Bay Area transit agencies and travel info about weather, traffic conditions and parking, call (415) 817-1717 or visit this page:

The Bay Area Travel Guide

http://511.org/

Data shows that almost 17 million visitors come to San Francisco every year. Many of them come to for business at the Moscone Center. It's one of the premier convention facilities throughout the United States. With more than 700,000 sq ft of meeting area, Moscone Center is a great magnet for various types of conferences, expos and events. MacWorld Expo is one of the most well-known expositions at the convention center. Other large professional gatherings hosted at the center include RSA Conference, JavaOne and public gated events like WonderCon.

The convention and exhibition complex now includes three buildings: Moscone North, Moscone South and Moscone West exhibition hall. Moscone Center has been always on the cutting edge in facilities, services and attendees. There's no surprise that it's the best and largest meeting and exhibition facility in San Francisco.

The complex boasts convenient location in the South of Market area, providing easy access to a variety of hotels and restaurants in downtown San Francisco. Dining options are plentiful at the Moscone Center, including both on-site catering and off-site restaurants and eateries. You're sure to enjoy yourself both in and out of your conference at the convention center.

- Savor SMG

As the official partner of the Moscone Center, it's one of the best large-scale catering and event services companies based in the city. The company keeps on offering great experience and world-class foods at the Moscone Center. Their chefs can work with event planners to create perfect menus within your budget. The menu may focus on local specialties and famous global cuisines alike.

No matter you're seeking breakfast, lunch, diner or just relaxing refreshment, Savor SMG can make the most favorable menu to meet your needs and budgets. Both buffet selections and plates options are available for three meals. For refreshment breaks, numerous tasty munchies and beverages are offered. If you're preparing for receptions, several options are provided, including cold hors d'oeuvres, hot hors d'oeuvres and specialty platter etc. For more catering info, please visit its official website.

Menus for Savor SMG

http://test.savorsmgsf.com/Site/MENUS.aspx

- Restaurant Lulu

Located at 816 Folsom Street between 4th and 5th Streets, Restaurant Lulu is one of the favorite dining spots near Moscone Center. It's just one block away from the Moscone Center. The restaurant features a seasonal menu that displays yummy foods from the wood-fired oven, grill and rotisserie. Most visitors are drawn to the restaurant by its family-style and festival atmosphere in comfortable surroundings.

Restaurant Lulu displays various yummy dishes on its menus. You're invited to taste the oysters & shellfish, pasta & pizza, oak fired rotisserie and many others. There's also a separate bar at Restaurant Lulu, serving more than 70 selections by the glass. The wine menu includes many rare and hard-to-find wines from all over the world. The restaurant also has two private event rooms. They are perfect for private dining, big parties and even meetings.

Menus at Restaurant Lulu

http://www.restaurantlulu.com/LuLu_Dinner.html

- Thirsty Bear Restaurant and Brewery

It's about 0.14 mile from the Moscone Center and continues to be the best brewpub in the area. It's located at 661 Howard Street. Thirsty Bear features a special menu based on contemporary and seasonal products for traditional Spanish taps. All foods at Thirsty Bear are made to look beautiful and taste good.

The Brewery has beers for everyone. A wonderful menu is offered, including separate menus for lunch, diner, dessert and drinks. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. It serves guests from 11:30 am to 10 pm, Monday through Thursday and from 11:30 am to 11 pm on Friday. It's open from noon to 11 pm on Saturday and from 5 pm to 10 pm on Sunday. Reservations can be made online via OpenTable.com or by phone at 415-974-0905.

Homepage of Thirsty Bear Restaurant and Brewery

http://www.thirstybear.com

- Ame Restaurant

Situated at 689 Mission Street in the St. Regis Hotel, Ame Restaurant is within a short distance of Moscone Center. It's one of the top restaurants in San Francisco, offering a relaxing and elegant dining experience for coming guests. Guests will be introduced to the superior intimate, L-shaped dining room, which is decorated with striking surroundings and rich mesquite wood floors.

Ame's seasonal menu is filled with refined blending of local seasonal ingredients with flavors from Southern France, Northern Italy and Japan. The dining room at Ame is only open for dinner from 6 pm to 9:30 pm from Monday to Thursday. On Mondays and Saturdays, guests can enjoy dinner from 5:30 pm to 10 pm. The Bar and Lounge is open for longer time. From Sunday to Thursday, the bar serves customers from 12 pm to 12 am and it's available from 12 pm to 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays. For more restaurant info, please contact Ame at 415-284-4040.

Ame Restaurant

http://www.amerestaurant.com/home.html

- Amber India

Located in the heart of downtown San Francisco, Amber India restaurant is just approximately 0.19 miles from Moscone Center. You can find it at 25 Yerba Buena Lane. Amber India Restaurant offers the best Indian Food outside India and serves an array of appetizing Indian dishes with a San Francisco flavor. The restaurant is widely recognized as one of the top Indian restaurants within the Bay Area.

Lunch and dinner are served at the restaurant. The lunch time is from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm on weekdays and from 12 pm to 3 pm on weekends. Dinner is served between 5 pm and 10 pm, Sunday through Thursday and dinner time is from 5 pm to 10:30 pm on Friday and Saturday. In addition to lunch and dinner menus, Amber India also offers signature cocktails and a diverse selection of wines. For more info on the restaurant, please call 415-777-0500 or email to amberindiasf@gmail.com.

Menus at Amber India

http://www.amber-india.com/SanFrancisco/?menu

- Chez Papa Resto

Located at 414 Jessie Street on 4 Mint Plaza, Chez Papa Resto is just 0.38 miles from the convention center. The restaurant has been consistently voted as one of the Top 100 restaurants in the Bay Area. Delicious seasonal menus, impressive wines and a lively full bar enhance your dining experience without doubt. Make sure to taste the exceptional French Provencal cuisine of Executive Chef Steven Rojas.

Lunch is served from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm on Weekdays and from 11:30 am to 3 pm on Saturday. The restaurant offers dinner from 5:30 pm to 10 pm, Monday through Thursday and from 5:30 pm to 11 pm on Friday & Saturday. Reservations are accepted two months in advance. You can either make your reservations online through Open Table Network or by calling 415-546-4134.

Online Reservations

http://www.opentable.com/chez-papa-resto-at-mint-plaza-reservations-san-francisco

- Maya Restaurant

It can be found at 303 2nd Street between Harrison & Folsom Streets. Maya Restaurant features modern Mexican foods and drinks. It's voted as one of the Top 100 restaurants in the area. Various dining options are available, from prix-fixe and a la carte menus to bar menu and cocktail list. Dinner and lunch are served at the restaurant.

From Tuesday to Saturday, dinner is served from 5:30 pm to 10 pm and from 5:30 pm to 9 pm on Sunday & Monday. You can enjoy lunch from 11:30 am to 2 pm from Monday to Friday. The bar is open from 4:30 pm until close, Monday through Sunday. If you have any problems, please call 415-543-2928 or fax to 415-543-6679.

Homepage of Maya Restaurant

http://www.mayasf.com

More Restaurants near Moscone Center

http://www.urbanspoon.com/ps/6/9683/SF-Bay/Landmarks/The-Moscone-Center.html

Moscone Center is the largest exhibition and convention center in San Francisco. It derives its name from George Moscone, the former mayor of the city. The Center constitutes of 3 halls. The 3 floors exhibition hall known as Moscone West, the other two halls known as Moscone South and Moscone North are situated in the underground, below Yerba Buena Gardens.

Moscone Center provides all the state of the art facilities for the meetings, conventions and trade shows. The halls are facilitated with audio visual equipment. They provide speakers that are mounted on the ceilings for easy hearing, LCD Projectors, IMAG, computers, UHF microphones, seamless switchers, presentation management applications and 50 and 43 inches of plasma screen. They also have separate digital room where presentations can be made properly.

During the events, the catering section is handled by Savor SMG which is one of the leading catering companies in San Francisco. They provide sumptuous spreads for business lunch, coffee and pop corn corners and sheet cakes as in between snacks. Moscone Center also provides direct dial telephones for the guests. Their technical center can aid in content hosting and different application software. The center also provides press room, Internet cafe, email stations, mobile web, VPN corporate and private network connectivity, streaming video uplink and LAN for the purpose of sales.

Other facilities provided by Moscone Center include WIFI connection, convention television, broadcasting within the booth, medical care during emergency, Xerox center. The security system is tight and if you lose anything, you can collect the object from the center within 1 and 1/2 months. An event manager is available who will help you to arrange the entire event according to your requirements.

Some of the upcoming events in the Moscone Center include VM World 2010, APPNATION 2010, DevCon, CDA 2010, Intel, Oracle OPenWorld 2010, Oracle, JavaOne and American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition. Green Meetings are also held in Moscone Center.

Moscone Center in Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscone_Center

Facilities provided at Moscone Center

http://www.moscone.com/mtgplanners/facsvcs/audiovisual.shtml

Events held in Moscone Center

http://www.moscone.com/site/do/event/list

Green Meetings at Moscone Center

http://www.moscone.com/mtgplanners/green_meetings.html

Welcome to San Francisco's gigantic and the largest exhibition center - the Moscone Convention Center housing three sprawling halls, two of which have been constructed underground. The underground exhibition halls built below the Yerba Buena Gardens are named Moscone South and Moscone North, whereas the three-storied hall across the 4th Street is known as Moscone West.

Moscone Convention Center Info on Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscone_Center

Put up in the year of 1981, at the bustling South Market area of downtown San Francisco, the Center was built in honor of the slain mayor George Moscone. It has been claimed to be constructed out of the ruins of a fierce battle fought by the low-income group of people against the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency which was bent on seizing the area around 1970s to 80s.

Moscone Convention Center Info on Sftravel.com

http://www.sftravel.com/mosconeconventioncenter.html

Today the Moscone Center boasts of hosting and organizing some of the biggest fairs and gatherings of San Francisco's society. Whether it is the famous MacWorld Expo, the revered American Geophysical Union's fall meeting, the honorable RSA Conference or the public events such as WonderCon and the Democratic National Convention, the Center organizes a fascinating gathering on its grounds.

The Moscone Center South houses 650,000 square feet of area encompassing a primary exhibit as well as a meeting space. The Esplanade Ballroom of 126,000 square feet embraces a grand ballroom or banquet hall divided into 10 sections and meeting room adjacent to it. It has unique features like large spaces devoid of columns over an area of 250,000 square feet.

The Moscone Center also takes pride in being instrumental in putting up a gargantuan solar electricity system on its roof with the initiative of Powerlight Corporation - a landmark contribution in the progress towards obtaining energy from sources that are pollution-free. The strategic location of the Center is also worth mentioning considering its proximity to myriad hotels, restaurants and shopping malls of the city.

Moscone Convention Center Events

http://www.moscone.com/site/do/event/list

Moscone Convention Center Directions

http://www.moscone.com/directions/index.shtml

Moscone Convention Center Facilities

http://www.moscone.com/mtgplanners/facsvcs/audiovisual.shtml

If you are looking for perfect guest-friendly hotels in San Francisco, there are plenty of them near the famous Moscone Convention Center, an area full of life and bubbling with energy at all times.

Hotel W San Francisco located at Third Street and within a walking distance from the Moscone Center offers a perfect guest-friendly atmosphere with indoor pool, spa services, fitness center and facilities to bring your pooch in too. About 16 miles from the Moscone Center, the Mosser is another mind blowing accommodation option in San Francisco providing all sorts of amenities for promising a comfortable stay to every guest. Room rates starting from $149, the hotel possesses a luxurious Victorian decor and elegant rooms, as well as superb dining opportunities at the Annabelle's Bar and Bistro.

Pamper yourself and rejuvenate your mind at the plush Palomar hotel, presenting a unique guest-friendly ambience and bestowing all sorts of hedonistic pleasures on its visitors. Indulge in some refreshing in-room spa services and revitalize your body and soul with their massage, facial and body treatments using the best of Kerstin Florian Products by masseurs who will transport you to a different world altogether.

The San Francisco Marriott Marquis Hotel at Fourth Street welcomes visitors of Moscone center to its grandiose services and alluring rooms, well-equipped with all amenities to cater to your desires to the core. Comfortable bedding, trendy decor, 32" LCD Televisions, majestic suites and out of the world cuisines at the restaurant make this an enticing lodging option near Moscone Center.

Check in at the Four Seasons San Francisco Moscone Center Hotel and enjoy your vacation like never before amidst facilities that overwhelm you to your heart's content. Hair salon, Sauna services, health spa, bathroom phone, mini bar, exquisite rooms, cribs for your little bundle of joy - the hotel creates a perfect guest-friendly atmosphere within its small niche.

Mosser Hotel Info at Priceline.com

http://travela.priceline.com/hotel/hotelOverviewGuide.do?static=Y&jsk=2103010a9903010a20100

Hotel Palomar In-room Spa

http://www.hotelpalomar-sf.com/palsf_inroomspa.html

Guest Friendly Hotels near Moscone Center at Priceline.com

http://travela.priceline.com/hotel/POI-Moscone_Center_San_Francisco_California_United_States-78195805.html

Marrott Marquis Hotel Overview

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/travel/sfodt-san-francisco-marriott-marquis/

Four Seasons Hotel Overview

http://www.hotels.com/ho195370/four-seasons-san-francisco-san-francisco-united-states/

Guest Friendly Hotels Near Moscone Center at hotels.com

http://www.hotels.com/de1407964/hotels-near-moscone-convention-center-union-square-convention-center-united-states/

Already established as a successful and effective venue to host conventions, exhibitions and other events, Moscone Center is the largest convention and exhibition complex in San Francisco. It consists of three buildings, including Moscone North and Moscone South (two underground halls underneath Yerba Buena Gardens) as well as Moscone West (a three-level exhibition hall).

The complex is known for hosting several large professional gatherings, like the Macworld Expo, RSA Conference and American Bar Association's annual meeting and public gated events like WonderCon. With more than 740,000 square feet of exhibit space and up to 106 meeting rooms, the center can accommodate trade shows, events and conventions of all kinds.

Visitors to San Francisco should keep a close eye on the regular happenings at the Moscone Center, as you might be able to visit an exhibition of a convention or trade show which is of interest to you. Now, a variety of ongoing and upcoming conventions and trade shows are occurring at the Moscone Center.

1) Heart Rhythm 2011 - 32nd Annual Scientific Sessions: May 3 - 7, 2011

The Heart Rhythm Society's 32 Annual Scientific Sessions is kicking off at Moscone Center. Through science, discovery, innovation and an accent on technology, this annual convention will celebrate the successful collaboration between physicians, scientists, allied professionals and more. For more info about the Heart Rhythm 2011, visit this page:

Heart Rhythm 2011 - 32nd Annual Scientific Sessions

http://www.hrsonline.org/Sessions/index.cfm?

2) Professional Business Women of California (PBWC) Young Women's Summit: May 10, 2011

All younger women are welcome to attend the PBWC Summit. At the summit, you will learn how to recognize and leverage your internal strength and to connect with women who can help you achieve your goals from groundbreaking and forward-thinking organizations like Girls for a Change.

3) U.S. Travel Association International Pow Wow: May 21 - 25, 2011

As the travel industry's principal international marketplace, the Pow Wow is not a typical trade show. In these three days, there are over 1,000 U.S. travel organizations from all over the USA and nearly 1,500 international or domestic buyers from over 70 countries, conducting business negotiations. You can find details about this trade show on this page:

U.S. Travel Association International Pow Wow

http://powwowonline.com/flex/pwol.html

4) Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2011

Are you interested in electronic products? Join the Apple WWDC at Moscone Center. The convention showcases the up-to-date innovations and the newest technologies in iOS and Mac OS X. At that time, more than 1000 Apple engineers are available to give you instruction on technical sessions and hands-on labs. To learn more about WWDC, check this page:

Apple Worldwide Developers Conference

http://developer.apple.com/wwdc/about/

5) McKesson Pharmacy Strategies Conference: June 29 - July 3, 2011

Visit the Moscone Center to share in the success of independent pharmacy. McKesson Conference features an impressive lineup of events centered on bringing independent pharmacies together to share the best practices and create strategies for future success.

McKesson Trade Show

http://mckessontradeshow.com/

6) NAFCU's 44th Annual Conference and Exhibition: June 29 - July 2

Join NAFCU's 44th Annual Conference and Exhibition to learn the latest methods to make your credit union more successful. The convention features the annual exhibition with the up-to-date product solutions, new marketing and membership growth trends and much more.

7) Semicon West 2011: July 12 - 14, 2011

Whether you want to learn about the latest developments in semiconductor manufacturing, dig into new opportunities in LEDs or printed electronics or simply connect with hundreds of leading experts and technologists, Semicon West all can meet your needs.

Semicon

http://semi.org/en/

8) San Francisco International Gift Fair: August 6 - 9

California's biggest gift show - San Francisco International Gift Fair is moving to Moscone Center in San Francisco this year. This is a wholesale trade show, serving a variety of handmade and general gifts for professional gift and furniture buyers.

The gift fair in 2011 will assemble more than 600 companies from all over the world to present their latest products. There is also an educational program to develop the visitors profit potentials and business strategies. The detailed show hours are:

- August 6 to 8: from 9am to 6pm

- August 9: from 9am to 2pm

San Francisco International Gift Fair

http://www.sfigf.com/Content/344.htm

Actually, there are a wealth of conventions and trade shows taking place at the Moscone Center each month. In addition to the above mentioned events, here is the list of all events at the center in May and July.

- Google I/O 2011 (Date: May 10 - 11, 2011; Location: Moscone West Levels)

- Immunology 2011 (Date: May 13 - 17, 2011; Location: Moscone North)

- INTA 133rd Annual Meeting (Date: May 14 - 18; Location: Moscone North)

- Citrix Systems (Date: May 24 - 26; Location: Moscone Level)

- NCORE 2011 (Date: May 31 - June 4; Location: Moscone South)

- American's Health Insurance Plans Institute 2011 (Date: June 15 - 17; Location: Moscone West)

- Corporate Event (Date: June 22 - 23; Location: Moscone West)

- PCBC Pacific Coast Builders Conference (Date: June 22 - 24; Location: Moscone West)

- The College Board (Date: July 21 - 24; Location: Moscone West)

- 2011 Subway Franchise Convention (Date: July 30 - 31; Location: Moscone West)

Moscone Center is always lists and updates its event information on its website. For the latest info, you can check the event schedule of the center.

Moscone Center Event Schedule

http://www.moscone.com/site/do/event/list

Some special events are also allowed in the Moscone Center. If you want to hold a special event at the center, you can send an email (events@moscone.com) from Monday to Friday between 8am to 5pm for details. Elsewise, it will be forwarded at the opening of the next working day. For catering related matters, visit this page:

http://www.savorsmgsf.com/

Moscone Center is the top convention center in the city of San Francisco. It ranks as the largest convention and exhibition complex in the region. Now the center consists of three main halls. Two of them are underground halls underneath Yerba Buena Gardens. They are named as Moscone North and Moscone South. There's another 3-level Moscone West exhibition hall that is located across the 4th Street.

The whole facility encompasses more than 20 acres of three adjacent blocks and covers 2 million sq ft of building area. Moscone Center has diverse space for various occasions. The three main halls have more than 740,000 sq ft of exhibit space, including 106 meeting rooms and four ballrooms. More than 20,000 hotel rooms are located within walking distance of the convention center, proving optimum convenience for attendees and visitors.

Located in the urban heart of the downtown district, Moscone Center is accessible through multiple directions. If you're planning to drive to the center, parking shall be a piece of cake for you. Many nearby parking garages serve the city-owned facility.

- Fifth & Mission Parking Garage

The parking garage is located adjacent to Moscone West. You can find it at 833 Mission Street just between Fourth & Fifth Streets. Operated by AmpcoSystem Parking, the 8-floor parking facility has 2,585 parking spaces with a total area of 965,600 sq ft. It's open 24 hours per day and seven days a week.

The parking facility has 6 vehicle entry lanes. Three main entrances are located on Mission Street, about 300 feet east of the crossing of Mission and 5th Streets. You can also enter via two other entrances on Minna Street. There is one additional "Monthly Only" entrance, which can be found 3/4 of the way down Minna towards 4th Street.

A total of 8 vehicle exits are available at the garage. Three exits are located on Mission Street. Three can be found on Minna Street, accessing 4th Street South. If you're heading to downtown San Francisco or the Golden Gate Bridge, you can exit the garage on 5th Street. If you want to know how to find the garage, check the directions below.

Directions to Fifth & Mission Parking Garage

http://www.fifthandmission.com/map.htm

The hourly rate at the parking garage is $3.5 per hour and it applies to the first 12 hours. You just need to pay $32 for up to 24 hours. Motorcycle parking is also permitted at the garage with a charge of $6. If you're long-term parkers, purchase a monthly parking. Random monthly parking costs $300 and reserved area monthly parking needs $325. Carpool monthly parking is also available at $150 per month. Motorcycle monthly parking will be charged $70. When it comes to payment options, daily parking can be paid with cash or credit cards. But you must pay monthly parking in cash or by check.

More Rates and Policies

http://www.fifthandmission.com/prices.htm

- Moscone Center Garage

This is not operated by the Moscone Center. It's located at 255 3rd Street, just across the street from Moscone South's Esplanade Ballroom. With 732 parking spaces, the garage also features valet parking services and electric car charging. The garage is open 24 hours a day from Monday to Thursday. You can access the garage from 6 am to 2:30 am on Friday and from 8 am to 2:30 am on Saturday. It's open from 9 am to 9 pm on Sunday.

The parking rate is $3 per hour with the maximum daily parking rate of $27 each day. From 3 pm to 9 am, the hourly rate is $2.5. Evening parking is allowed at the garage at an extra fee of $7. If you enter the garage before 7:30 am and exit after 7 pm, you can enjoy the Early Bird special of $12. The parking garage also accepts monthly parking. You can opt for reserved monthly parking at $400 or unreserved parking at $275. Accepted payments include coins, bills and cards.

- Museum Parc Garage

The parking garage is located at 300 Third Street and it's accessible through the entrance on Third and Folsom Streets. The garage can accommodate 500 parking vehicles and is open to the public from 5:30 am to 11 pm on weekdays. It's accessible from 8 am to 11:30 pm on Saturday and from 8 am to 6 pm on Sunday.

If you'd like to park your vehicles there for a whole day, you just need to pay $15. Two types of monthly parking are offered. You can choose monthly rate of $225 available from Monday to Friday only. Or you can choose the monthly parking rate of $275. For more parking info, please contact the garage at 415-284-9553.

- Hearst Parking Center

Hearst Parking Center is about 2 blocks from Moscone South and Moscone North. You can find it at 45 Third Street and its entrance is located on Stevenson Street. From Monday to Friday, the parking facility is open from 5 am to midnight. It's available from 6 am to midnight on Saturday and from 10 am to 10 pm on Sunday. The parking rate is $2.5 for every 20 minutes. You may be charged $19 for up to 8-hour parking. Parking for a whole day just needs $20. If you still have any concerns, please call 415-341-1410.

- Post Montgomery Center Garage

The parking garage is located at 161 Sutter Street. The operation hours are from 5 am to 7 pm on weekdays and from 7 am to 7 pm on Saturday. It's closed to the public on Sundays and holidays. You can find its entrances off Sutter Street. If you want to reserve a monthly space at the garage, please contact 415-393-1500 for more info on rates and availability.

- Sutter/Stockton Garage

Located at 330 Sutter Street, the garage features 1,865 parking spaces and its height clearance is 6′6″. The garage is open from 7 am to 6 pm on Sundays. It has flat rates on Sundays as well. First hour parking needs $2 and the rate for two-hour parking is $4. You need to pay $5.5 for parking up to 3 hours. The maximum rate is $7.5 and you can park for 11 hours.

From Monday to Saturday, the parking garage is open 24 hours a day. The hourly parking rate is $3 per hour with the maximum daily parking rate of $26. Overnight parking is available at the garage at a charge of $8. The reserved monthly parking rate is $500 while unreserved monthly parking needs $375. The parking facility has spaces for motorcycles. The parking fee is $7. If you need more info on availability and rates, please call 415-982-7275.

Moscone Center Parking Map

http://www.moscone.com/pdf/MosconeParkingMap.pdf

Near every tourist attraction of San Francisco, there are numerous hotels nearby. In this case, Moscone Center San Francisco is no exception. Due to the growing popularity of this tourist attraction, hotels nearby are widely searched on the internet. This center is the largest exhibition and convention complex in San Francisco. It is popular for hosting multiple significant professional gatherings, like the annual meeting of the American Bar Association, JavaOne, the Game Developers Conference and the Macworld Expo.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscone_Center

If you plan to visit this site, you will need to look for an accommodation nearby. You can refer to San Francisco hotels map online and make the best choice. Below mentioned are a few of the finest nearby hotels with their approximate distance in kilometers and direction from the Moscone Center.

W Hotel San Francisco

About 0.1km NE

http://specialoffers.starwoodhotels.com/W_Los_Angeles/so.htm?PS=PS_aa_Socal_Google_los_angeles_w_hotel_041508_NAD_FM

The Westin San Francisco Market Street

About 0.3km NW

http://www.westinstfrancis.com/?ES=Thayer_WI_STFRANCIS_1010_ppc_google_brand2

Intercontinental San Francisco

About 0.3km SW

http://www.intercontinentalsanfrancisco.com

Hotel Palomar-A Kimpton Hotel

About 0.3km NW

http://www.hotelpalomar-sf.com

Hotel Milano

About 0.5km SW

http://www.hotelmilanosf.com

It will always be more convenient to find accommodation in a nearby lodge and save time in traveling to reach the spot. You need to make sure that you make the best choice in terms of the hotel you select. You can consider keeping certain essential things in mind.

Some considerations while selecting a hotel near Moscone Center:

1. Ensure that the hotel is located at a walking distance from the spot.

2. It should also be located near other attractions so that you can make the most of your holiday.

3. The hotel should provide you with some special offers and discounts as their guest.

4. It should provide basic amities and luxuries so that you have a comfortable stay.