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B M & T ••• March/April 2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 41 MEETING & TRAVELING IN "THE PEACH TREE STATE" B Y C L E T U S R A M S E Y Planners organizing meetings in the Peach State's group-friendly locales can sweeten itineraries with functions at one of the state's many culturally diverse sites, which wonderfully represent a var- ied and seemingly endless list of options. With a major transportation hub in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, you'll have easy access to the Atlanta Metro area and throughout Georgia. • • ATLANTA • • It's easy to fly into Atlanta and within that same hour, journey into the city's walkable convention and entertainment district without renting a car. World-class attractions, award-winning restaurants and a variety of hotels at every price point are just steps away from Atlanta's numer- ous convention facilities. And top-notch transportation makes it effortless to explore the charming neighborhoods that surround them. The Georgia World Congress Center is a convention center like no other. Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, the Georgia World Congress Center features 1.4+ million sq. ft. of prime exhibit space, 12 exhibit halls, 98 meeting rooms, two ballrooms and three beautifully landscaped outdoor plazas ideal for after-hours functions. Georgia World Congress Center, Centennial Olympic Park and brand new Mercedes- Benz Stadium comprise what many tout as the number one convention, sports and entertainment destination in the world. The campus is currently undergo- ing a dynamic evolution. Key highlights that will contribute to your unforgettable meeting experience include a multi-use expansion hall that creates over 1 million gross sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, a new luxury headquarter hotel by Hilton opening in 2022, and $27 million re-envi- sioning of Centennial Olympic Park In the early 1960s, Atlanta became the cultural catalyst for the civil rights move- ment. Activists quickly found their spiritu- al center within the Sweet Auburn district, making it home to much of the civil rights history. Today, Atlanta is the only city in the nation where you can view two Nobel Peace Prizes – one located in the King Center and the other in the Carter Center. Planners have many options when choosing accommodations for their meeting group. Choices include the 1,663-room Atlanta Marriott Marquis, boasting 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space and 84 meeting rooms, and the 250-room AC Hotel by Marriott Atlanta Downtown, with 1,360 sq. ft. of exhibit space, and one meeting room, and everything in between. There are also new hotel properties under development. The Candler Build- ing, one of downtown Atlanta's iconic structures, will be transformed into a Curio hotel, a luxury brand from Hilton. The building will be renovated as a 265- guestroom hotel. SLS Atlanta Hotel & Residences - The first SLS-branded hotel, is set to be built in Midtown. The 42-story tower will include 213 hotel rooms and 56 condo residences. The property will also house international food and beverage options. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Interna- tional Airport, just eight miles from the downtown district, is the busiest and most efficient airport in the world and, offering nonstop service to more than 150 domestic and nearly 70 international destinations. • • MACON • • Macon, Georgia's historic undertones harmonize for any family vacation and set the tone for business travelers as well. In Macon attractions and tours offer a look AREA GUIDES G E O R G I A Atlanta Downtown Skyline Photo Credit: Atlanta CVB • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Hilton Atlanta 1,249 Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center 1,059 AC Hotel by Marriott Atlanta Downtown 250 Atlanta Airport Marriott 641 Atlanta Marriott Marquis 1,663 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Georgia World Conference Center Total Exhibit Space 1.4 million sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 98 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Atlanta CVB – (877) ATLANTA www,atlantameeting.com Atlanta Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce – (770) 374-6226