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MEETING VENUES ABOUND FOR PLANNERS IN GEORGIA BY SOLOMON J. HERBET II Georgia's picturesque scenery and gorgeous geographical backdrop give planners a series of cities to choose from when picking the right site for a specific event. Those preparing for a larger event in a more urban environment might look into Atlanta's venues. If the gathering is smaller and/or calls for Georgia's lovely ambiance, Savannah is top choice. • • ATLANTA • • Atlanta offers an unparalleled experi- ence as one of the top convention cities in the country. There are many reasons why the destination is a great place for meetings, including its walkable conven- tion and entertainment district. Along with connectivity through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, nearly 107,000 hotel rooms in the metro region and the ever-evolving Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) campus, the city of Atlanta will surely meet all your conference needs. Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) is the first U.S. convention cen- ter to achieve GBAC STAR accreditation, further bolstering the convention campus' commitment to the wellbeing of all visitors. The venue is equipped with 1.4 million square feet of prime exhibit space, 106 meeting rooms, three fixed-seat auditori- ums and two grand ballrooms. The proper- ty is centrally located in the heart of down- town Atlanta within easy walking distance of hotels, attractions and entertainment. The Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart is another venue offering flexibility for any size meeting or conven- tion, boasting up to 100,000 square feet of contiguous space. It is connected to the 1,100-room Westin Peachtree Plaza hotel and within walking distance of more than 8,000 additional hotel rooms in the heart of downtown Atlanta. More than 10,000 rooms housed in 24 hotels within the convention and enter- tainment district make it easy for atten- dees to walk from their hotel right into the meeting. Seventy percent of these rooms are in six hotels — Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Hilton Atlanta, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center, Sheraton Atlanta and The Westin Peachtree Plaza — providing planners with the room blocks and event space that sizable meetings require. With the important history that is cen- tered around Atlanta — notably the American Civil Rights Movement — it's no surprise that the city is full of engaging museums dedicated to cultural growth. Atlanta's strong art scene is visible at institutions such as the High Museum of Art, in notable public art pieces, and in the bold and funky street art that wallpapers the city. Conference atten- dees can take-in the musi- cal vibe with Grammy award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the- atre classics, and musicals. • • SAVANNAH • • With ample meeting venues of all sizes in a city steeped in history with an amazing food culture and charming places to stay, you'll please your conven- tion crowd by making Savannah the spot for your next meeting. Savannah is home to a multitude of meeting places, ranging from character- istic historic homes to the 330,000 square-foot Savannah Convention Center. Savannah's unique venues are ready to accommodate events of all sizes. The Savannah Convention Center, which is under construction and doubling in size, is situated on the Savannah River and offers fantastic waterfront views as well as plenty of space. There's currently a 100,000-sq.-ft. exhibit hall, a 25,000-sq.-ft. ballroom, a 376-seat auditorium and 21 rooms that can be customized for breakout sessions. If versatility is what you're looking for, the Savannah Civic Center delivers with 25,000 square feet of exhibit space and a spacious 2,500-seat auditorium. When combined with other facili- ties, like Enmarket Arena and Coastal Georgia Center, as well as all of Savannah's restaurants and off-site offerings, the whole city is your group's playground. All of the venues and meeting spaces, from the river- side terraces to the rooftop ballrooms, feature the technology you need to have a remarkable event including Wi- Fi and audio/visual capabilities. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Savannah – (912) 644-6400 www.visitsavannah.com/ meetings-conventions B M & T ••• March/April 2023 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 49 G E O R G I A • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Atlanta Marriott Marquis 1,663 Hyatt Regency Atlanta 1,260 Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center 1,067 EXHIBITION FACILITIES Georgia World Congress Center Total Space 1.4 million sq. ft. Largest Hall 135,152 sq. ft. Largest Ballroom 89,500 sq. ft. Meeting Rooms 106 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Atlanta CVB – (800) ATLANTA https://discoveratlanta.com/acvb/ Georgia World Congress Center Building photo credit: Atlanta CVB AREA GUIDES