Gwinnett, GA Event Planning

Key Highlights

Hotels	97
Total Sleeping Rooms	21,000
Average Hotel Room Rate	USD $77
Average Daily Meal Cost	USD $46
Average Weekly Car Rental	USD $198

Gwinnett, GA Meeting Planning Overview

Gwinnett County, Georgia, offers a unique setting that blends Southern charm and cosmopolitan sophistication. Located within Atlanta's metropolitan area, the county is an easy-to-reach East Coast locale. By car, visitors can find Gwinnett off four major instates: I-85, I-285, I-75 and I-985. Air travelers can also reach the county without hassle, as it is serviced by major airport Hartsfield-Jackson International, which offers flights to 243 non-stop destinations in 45 countries. Overall, Gwinnett County is within a two-hour flight of 80 percent of the U.S. population.

Inside the city, the reliable and affordable Gwinnett Country Transit buses can shuttle guests to key meeting destinations, including the Gwinnett Center. Occupying over 80 acres, the Gwinnett Center boasts a 50,000-square-foot exhibit hall and 23 versatile meeting rooms . It also features 7,500 square feet of lakefront pre-function space and a 21,600-square-foot ballroom, ideal for receptions and black-tie affairs.

Another major highlight of the center's meeting facilities is the Arena at Gwinnett Center. From big conventions to concerts to hockey games, the Arena is a flexible venue for 3,500 to 13,000 people. Smaller groups can also take advantage of 36 corporate suites, two party suites, club-level seats and a spacious concourse. Large events are the Arena's specialty, though, having hosted political campaign rallies, university graduations, musical acts such as Sugarland, and sporting events including ECHL Gwinnett Gladiators hockey games.

For smaller group functions, meetings and outings, planners can find a number of unique venues to foster productivity and impart a taste of Gwinnett's culture and hospitality. A spectacular choice for private events, the multifaceted Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center offers its theater and boardroom, which overlooks the center's simulated waterfall, for private events. The Southeastern Railway Museum's Clinchfield railway executive car and Southern baggage car can each be rented for functions of up to 40 people. Or, immerse attendees in luxury at the 16th century French-style Château Élan, which recently completed a $3 million remodel on its two grand ballrooms and 19 meeting rooms.

Home to the Mall of Georgia, the Southeast's largest shopping destination, as well as the Discover Mills Outlets and the upscale Forum Shops and Avenue of Webb Gin, much of Gwinnett County's economy rests on retail. Gwinnett County's major employers include Gwinnett County Public Schools and Gwinnett County Health Care, as well as Primerica Financial Services and Home Depot; the county also serves as headquarters to Waffle House, Inc.

About Gwinnett, GA / Additional Info

One of the fastest growing counties in the nation, Gwinnett County encompasses 437 square miles just northeast of Atlanta. Initially a cotton-farming town of just under 5,000 residents, Gwinnett has gradually skyrocketed to capture 14 percent of the Atlanta region's population and 26 percent of its growth. Its over 20 cities and towns are home to just over 776,000 residents and three Fortune 1000 companies. In fact, the county has become metro Atlanta's leading center for technology, bioscience, and ground-breaking companies of the future.

Though Gwinnett County is clearly a rising star in the area, it has retained the charm and hospitality of its days as a small plantation settlement. Many of the towns in Gwinnett are known for their stunning historic buildings; in fact, the entire 112-acre downtown Norcross district is on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can experience a piece of history at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, built in 1885 and home to the Gwinnett Historical Society's genealogical library and the Gwinnett Veterans Council Memorial Museum. The courthouse is also the starting point for the popular Plantation Houses of Gwinnett self-guided driving tour, which snakes through 15 historic structures dotting the countryside.

History buffs are not the only ones who will find something to do in Gwinnett County. With over 8,000 acres in its park system, the county is a haven for outdoor recreation. Visitors can come face-to-face with over 600 birds and animals at the Yellow River Game Ranch. The 3,200-acre Stone Mountain Park is one of Georgia's most popular attractions. Here, Gwinnett County guests can hike 1.3 miles to the top of the mountain, go fishing in Stone Mountain Lake, or see the Confederate Memorial Carving, the largest high relief sculpture in the world.

For those who want to enjoy the scenic beauty of Gwinnett County without breaking a sweat, Château Élan is just the place. This 16th century-style French Chateau and 75-acre vineyard crafts 22 varieties of wine, which guests can enjoy on public wine tours held weekly. Château Élan is also home to an 18-hole championship golf course, a nine-hole walking course, and a 33,000-square-foot spa.

Of course visitors to Gwinnett County need not travel far to enjoy a glass of vino, thanks to its expansive local dining scene. The popular Aqua Terra Bistro features reds and whites from around the globe, in addition to an innovative menu of American foods infused with world flavors. In addition to huge plates of pasta, meats and salads, Dominick's hosts quarterly wine dinners featuring specialty wines paired with chef-selected dishes. From its impeccable cuisine to its exciting attractions, Gwinnett County is quickly staking its spot as a must-visit destination in the heart of Georgia.

Gwinnett, GA Key Stats for Meeting Planners

Time Zone: Eastern Time (ET)
Convention Center(s):

Gwinnett Center

Hotel at Convention Center? No

Airport(s):

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Destination Type(s):

Golf Destination
Smoke-free Restaurants
Historic Destination

Special Event Venues
70
Population
805,321
Restaurants
50
Country Code
1
Sales Tax
6.00%
Currency
U.S. Dollar
Standard Tipping Practice
10-20%
Electricity
120V / 60Hz
Official Languages
English

Credit Cards and Travelers Cheques widely accepted? Yes

All average costs based on U.S. Government Per Diem rates as published by the U.S. General Services Administration.

Cities Near Gwinnett, GA

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Atlanta, GA	31 mi	41 min	n/a	N/A
Charlotte, NC	218 mi	3 hr 35 min	1 hr 3 min	USD $155+
Nashville, TN	268 mi	4 hr 17 min	58 min	USD $165+
Savannah, GA	275 mi	4 hr 22 min	59 min	USD $120+
Greensboro, NC	305 mi	4 hr 58 min	1 hr 7 min	USD $225+
Jacksonville, FL	373 mi	5+ hrs	1 hr 2 min	USD $249+
New Orleans, LA	501 mi	5+ hrs	1 hr 32 min	USD $170+
Washington, DC	612 mi	5+ hrs	1 hr 41 min	USD $190+

Gwinnett, GA Climate Information

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg. High (°F)	52	58	66	74	82	88	91	89	84	74	64	55
Avg. Low (°F)	31	34	41	48	57	65	68	68	62	49	41	34
Rec. High (°F)	81	81	89	95	97	105	106	105	102	98	87	79
Rec. Low (°F)	-7	5	12	24	35	44	52	53	34	23	5	0
Rainfall (in)	81.0	81.0	89.0	95.0	97.0	105.0	106.0	105.0	102.0	98.0	87.0	79.0

Gwinnett County experiences a mild year-round climate and four distinct seasons. On average, Gwinnett County's warmest month is July, with an average high of 88°F, while the county's coldest month is January, with an average low of 30°F.

The area's rainfall is evenly spread out throughout the year, seeing an annual average of 55 inches of rain. The most popular time to visit Gwinnett County is between March and July, when the weather is warm and mild.

Meeting Planning in Gwinnett, GA

Gwinnett Center

Located immediately off of I-85 in Gwinnett County's thriving Sugarloaf business district, the Gwinnett Center is just 30 minutes north of downtown Atlanta and 45 minutes away from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Known for its modern design and versatile meeting space, the center is one of the most unique meeting facilities in Georgia.

Occupying 80 acres, the center features a column free, 50,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall, which can seat up to 2,800 people, and stunning 21,600-square-foot Grand Ballroom. It also boasts 7,500 square feet of beautiful lakefront pre-function space and 23 versatile meeting rooms, which range in size from 368-square-foot to 5,940-square-foot configurations.

Meanwhile, the spacious 702-seat Performing Arts Theatre can double as a concert hall and auditorium for presentations. Sound-absorbing draperies and a high-tech speaker system enhance the experience for guests.

The main attraction at the center is the state-of-the-art Arena at Gwinnett Center, capable of accommodating groups of 3,500 to 13,000 people. It also features 36 corporate suites, two party suites, club-level suites and a spacious concourse. In addition to conventions and tradeshows, the Arena is home to the ECHL Gwinnett Gladiator hockey team.

The Gwinnett Center features full in-house catering by Georgia's award-winning Proof of the Pudding. The center has hosted such groups as Coca-Cola, Georgia Association on Young Children, Gwinnett County Master Gardeners and the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources.

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Gwinnett, GA Airport Information

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Approximate taxi fare: $70 USD

The spectacular Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is conveniently located just 10 miles from Atlanta and about 40 miles outside of Gwinnett County. A major connecting hub for destinations around the world, has been named the busiest passenger airport in the world; in 2008, the airport serviced 90 million passengers and nearly 980,000 flights, including international service to North America, South America, Central America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Serving 243 non-stop destinations in 45 countries, the airport features 151 domestic and 28 international gates.

The gleaming, light-filled, 5.8-million-square foot-airport is comprised of a North and South Terminal, with a large atrium featuring seating areas and more than 230 food, retail and convenience outlets. The airport is currently in the process of adding 75 more concessions, including spas, wine bars and high-end retailers. The Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport also features a 24,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Executive Conference Center, offering 23 meeting rooms, video conferencing abilities, computer workstations and full-service catering. Airport visitors can access terminal-wide wireless Internet for a fee.

Not only accessible and efficient, the airport is also known for its remarkable art collection, which includes a permanent exhibition of contemporary Zimbabwean sculpture. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport also offers hourly and daily parking, as well as a Ground Transportation center, featuring direct taxi and rental car service, located just west of the South Terminal baggage claim area.

Always striving to to expand its capacity and improve efficiency, the airport is in the midst of a $6 billion Capital Improvement Program. The improvement program includes such projects as opening a fifth runway and new energy-efficient car rental facility, slated for 2009 completion, and a new 12-gate international terminal, slated for 2011 completion.

Airline carriers serving Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

AeroMexico
Air Canada
Air Canada Jazz
Air France
American Connection
AirTrain Airways
American Airlines
British Airways

Continental
Delta Air Lines
Delta Connection
Frontier Airlines
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Korean Air
Lufthansa German Airlines
Midwest Airlines

Northwest Airlines
Spirit Airlines
United Airlines
United Express
US Airways
US Airways Express

Gwinnett, GA Train Information

Atlanta Amtrak Station

The closest Amtrak station to Gwinnett County is located about 25 miles away in downtown Atlanta at 1688 Peachtree Street NW. The Atlanta Amtrak station serves the Crescent route, offering daily trips from New Orleans to New York City, with major stops in Atlanta, Greensboro and Washington, DC. The station is open daily from 7 AM to 9:30 PM.

Gwinnett, GA Public Transportation

Gwinnett County Transit Bus Line

Gwinnett County Transit (GCT), Gwinnett County's public bus system, provides express, local and paratransit service throughout Gwinnett County. GCT operates six express bus routes that run Monday through Friday and five local bus routes that operate Monday through Saturday, most running from approximately 6 AM to 10 PM.

All GCT express buses travel to or from at least one Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) rail station, providing direct access to Atlanta. GCT's local Route 50 provides direct access to the Gwinnett Center.

The GCT express service fare for routes 102 and 410 is $3 for a one-way ride and $30 for a 10-ride pass. The express fare for routes 101, 103, 412 and 418 is $4 for a one-way ride and $40 for a 10-ride pass. Local service fares are $2 for a one-way ride and $20 for a 10-ride pass.

Rental Cars

Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty are represented at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Agency counters are located on the first floor in the airport atrium. Complimentary shuttle bus service takes rental car customers to pick up the cars at the airport's Ground Transportation Center.

Taxis

Visitors to Gwinnett County can access several taxi companies outside of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport from the Ground Transportation Center, located just west of the South Terminal baggage claim area. Visitors should expect to pay about $70 in taxi fare from the airport to Gwinnett County located 42 miles away.

While in Gwinnett County, taxis can be hailed from hotel taxi stands. Taxi fare from Gwinnett County to Atlanta is about $50.

Distance To...

	Distance	Estimated Driving Time	Estimated Min. Flying Time	Estimated Flight Cost
Atlanta, GA	31 mi	41 min	n/a	N/A
Charlotte, NC	218 mi	3 hr 35 min	1 hr 3 min	USD $155+
Nashville, TN	268 mi	4 hr 17 min	58 min	USD $165+
Savannah, GA	275 mi	4 hr 22 min	59 min	USD $120+
Greensboro, NC	305 mi	4 hr 58 min	1 hr 7 min	USD $225+
Jacksonville, FL	373 mi	5+ hrs	1 hr 2 min	USD $249+
New Orleans, LA	501 mi	5+ hrs	1 hr 32 min	USD $170+
Washington, DC	612 mi	5+ hrs	1 hr 41 min	USD $190+