Atlanta’s Convention Corridor to Undergo Major Transformation
August 16, 2016
GWCCC future campus with headquarters hotel and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Atlanta’s convention and tourism corridor is undergoing a major transformation as part of Georgia World Congress Center Authority’s 2020 Vision strategic plan. Before the end of the decade, the heart of Atlanta’s convention district will see a series of new additions, expansions and renovations to GWCCA’s campus that will revolutionize the way meetings do business in Atlanta.
“2020 Vision is the single biggest thing that has happened to Atlanta’s convention business since the opening of Georgia World Congress Center,” said Mark Vaughan, executive vice president and chief sales officer, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau. “These new additions position the city very well to attract new business and allows us to adapt to expanding convention needs.”
The first phase of 2020 Vision will come to life with the opening of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2017. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a state-of-the-art, retractable-roof sports arena that will double as an event venue, adding the potential for an additional 70–80 events per year. In addition to being the new home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and Major League Soccer expansion team Atlanta United FC, Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in 2018, Super Bowl LIII in 2019 and NCAA Men’s Final Four in 2020.
The 2020 Vision plan also calls for an 800–1,100 room, high-end, high-rise convention center hotel to open adjacent to GWCC building C. The addition of the hotel to the GWCCA campus will add increased meeting space for larger meetings and create more convenience for attendees.
The plan also calls for contiguous exhibit space between buildings B and C at GWCC that will attract groups which have previously outgrown Atlanta. The new space would create a contiguous 1 million sf of exhibit space, adding to the 1.4 million sf currently available.
Finally, Centennial Olympic Park will see a series of renovations to enhance its multiuse event capability as well as make it more pedestrian friendly. A brand new space at Baker Street and Park Place will feature a restaurant and further expand the array of events the park can host.
“Our 2020 Vision plan is all about aligning the GWCCA campus with the future needs of our customers, partners, stakeholders and surrounding community while ensuring the continued economic growth of downtown Atlanta’s thriving hospitality district,” said Frank Poe, executive director of the GWCCA. “Our campus — and organization — continues to evolve as we expect to remain the No. 1 convention, sports and entertainment destination in the world and a major economic driver for the State of Georgia.”