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Atlanta, Georgia City Guide

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Atlanta Meeting Planning

Downtown Atlanta

Located within a two-hour flight of 80 percent of the U.S. population, Atlanta is one of the most convenient meeting destinations in the country. Just five miles south of downtown, the Hartsfield International Airport welcomes guests from all over the world, seeing over 89 million passengers in 2007. Thanks to the airport's Capital Improvement Program, which saw the opening of a 5th runway in 2008 and plans for a new 12-gate international terminal, guests will find arriving in Atlanta even more comfortable. Once in the city, the quick and efficient Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority light rail system makes reaching attractions and over 8,000 downtown hotel rooms a breeze.

Convenience in terms of transportation is just one reason why Atlanta has become a top choice for planners. Thanks to its experience in hosting events, including the 1996 Olympic Games, the city is now home to a wealth of new and renovated meeting facilities. In fact, Atlanta has 2.1 million gross square feet of exhibit space and five major convention centers.

Headlining the meeting options is the Georgia World Congress CenterGeorgia World Congress Center
Georgia World Congress Center. One of the largest multi-purpose sports and entertainment complexes in the country, this 200-acre campus consists of three versatile exhibit buildings: the Congress Center itself, the 71,250-seat Georgia DomeGeorgia Dome
Georgia Dome, and 21-acre Centennial Olympic Park. Bolstered by a comprehensive set of amenities and a location fewer than eight blocks from over 10,000 hotel rooms, the acclaimed GWCC has hosted such prestigious groups as Meeting Planners International, the National Association of Catering Executives, and the International Special Events Society.

City Park Lake

Traditional meeting options are not the only facilities dominating Atlanta's events scene. In fact, Atlanta's cityscape encompasses a wide variety of captivating unique venues, from historic mansions to brand-new developments. Opened in November 2005, the Georgia AquariumGeorgia Aquarium
Georgia Aquarium is the world's largest aquarium and one of the most popular event spaces in the city. The Woodruff Arts Center, self-proclaimed heart of Atlanta's arts and theater world, offers a striking backdrop for meetings with up to 34,000-square-feet of indoor and outdoor space.

Outdoor events at venues such as the Chastain Park Amphitheater are a no-brainer in Atlanta, thanks to its moderate climate and short winters. Immerse guests in a part of Atlanta's history at the 21-acre Centennial Olympic Park, used during the '96 Olympic Games and now available for private events by permit. For evening affairs, white silk and festive Chinese lanterns set the stage for an elegant outdoor event at the Piedmont Garden Tent. Planners can also move the party inside at the venue's 5,500-square-foot Piedmont Room, decorated with ivory table linens, gold chavari chairs and flickering tea candles.

Midtown Atlanta

A city on the move, Atlanta is sure to keep opening new doors for meetings and events; in fact, its motto proclaims "every day is an opening day." The city has invested more than $6 billion in new development since 2005. Following major revitalization efforts, Midtown Atlanta has become the heart of the city with its green open spaces, modern high-rise condos and flats, chic boutiques and some of the best restaurants and bars in town. Shout, Dolce, Eno, One Midtown Kitchen, and Trois are all fashionable restaurants with private dining space that have recently joined the Atlanta It List. The $2 billion Atlantic Station in Midtown and 110-room boutique Glenn Hotel are also among the new venues dazzling Atlanta's cityscape.

One of seven American cities classified as a globally-impacting city, Atlanta ranks 3rd in the number of Fortune 500 companies headquartered in city boundaries after New York CityNew York City
New York City and Houston. The city and its nearby suburbs are also home to three Fortune 100 companies: The Coca-Cola Company, Home Depot and the United Parcel Service. When all is said and done, 15 of the largest companies in the world are headquartered in Atlanta. The city is also home to prestigious schools Emory University and the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Key Statistics

Atlanta / Additional Info

Midtown Atlanta

Originally an American Indian village called Standing Peachtree, Atlanta can trace its development back to the construction of the Western and Atlantic Railroad in the mid-19th century. During the Civil War, Atlanta was known as the transportation hub of the Southeast. As the city struggled to rebuild itself after Union General William T. Sherman's infamous March to the Sea - which burned nearly 70 percent of its buildings to the ground - Atlanta took on a different nickname: "New South."

Built on a modern economy, the revitalized city became a prominent economical and cultural hub, gaining notoriety for events both small (the first Coca-Cola served) and large (as an organizing center of the Civil Rights Movement). Today, Atlanta is the capital and largest city in Georgia, home to over 500,000 people in the city alone. Its population has been the fastest growing in the nation since 2000, adding about 142,000 people each year for the past six years. A mix of African American, Caucasian, American Indian and Hispanic and Latino races, the city has a racial diversity that's greater than the country as a whole.

Buckhead and Midtown Atlanta

Atlanta's residents inhabit a range of eclectic neighborhoods just as unique as themselves. Whether looking for upscale shopping and dining or trendy boutiques and funky, laid-back pubs, Atlanta can accommodate. Visit the esteemed neighborhood of Buckhead for a tour of historic Southern mansions, including the Georgia Governor's Mansion and the Swan House. At the glamorous Lennox Square Mall, guests can shop high-end retailers such as Louis Vuitton, BVLGARI and Cartier. For a more casual experience, explore Virginia-Highland's quaint sidewalk cafes, cozy coffeehouses, fabulous antique stores and exceptional art galleries. Or, check out the neighborhood of Grant Park and discover venues catering to everyone from rockers to country-and-western music fans.

With ties to Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Civil Rights Movement, as well the Confederacy and the Civil War, Atlanta also presents a unique mix of historical attractions. History buffs delight in the Atlanta History Center, a unique campus of attractions that together serve as one of the largest history museums in the nation. More than 650,000 visitors a year pay their respects to Dr. King at the King Center, the official memorial of the leader of the Civil Rights Movement. Or, take a journey through time at the Atlanta Cyclorama and Civil War Museum. Here, Civil War artifacts and the world's largest oil painting depicting the Battle of Atlanta captivate visitors of all ages.

Turner Field

Embracing past and present, Atlanta's historic venues stand side by side with modern sporting facilities and entertainment venues. The city is home to four professional sports teams: the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers, the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, and the MLB's Atlanta Braves. Score a ticket to Turner Field or the Georgia Dome to see one of the home teams. Or, be part of the action by hitting the links at one of Atlanta's 70 public golf courses, which range from local favorite Bobby Jones Golf Course to the championship links found at Lake Lanier Islands Resort.

As the sun sets over Atlanta, the city shows no signs of stopping. Thanks to a thriving music industry, which fostered notable musicians such as Outkast, the Black Crowes, the Indigo Girls, and Usher, Atlanta's guests will not be hard-pressed to catch a live show or jam session. Many restaurants, including the hip Two Urban Licks and the funky Sambuca, offer live jazz Thursday through Saturday. For lovers of Latin music, Loca Luna is the place to be. This exotic scene offers live Latin music every night and features a tapas-style menu and a grand patio with a view of the Midtown skyline.

Several coffeehouses and neighborhood bars also offer live music. An eclectic group can be found listening to live blues at Virginia-Highland's Blind Willie's or enjoying anything from jazz to funk to reggae at Little Five Point's the Five Spot. From world-class attractions and mouth-watering cuisine to gorgeous scenery and Southern charm, Atlanta has become one of the most popular places to live and visit in the Southeast. With no lack of amazing attractions, guests are quick to realize why over 37 million people visit the city each year for its city lights and Southern nights.