Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1498279
B M & T ••• May/June 2023 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 10 H O T E L H A P P E N I N G S GWCCA CELEBRATES MAJOR CONSTRUCTION MILESTONE AT TOPPING OFF CEREMONY FOR SIGNIA BY HILTON ATLANTA 976-Room Hotel Overlooking Mercedes-Benz Stadium is Set to Open in January 2024 Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA), the largest combined convention, sports, and entertainment cam- pus in North America, along with global hospitality company Hilton (NYSE: HLT) and multinational project development and construction company Skanska, celebrated a major con- struction milestone recently with the ceremonial topping off of the 976-room Signia by Hilton Atlanta. Frank Poe (Executive Director, GWCCA), Gary Steffen (Global Category Head, Full-Service Brands, Hilton), Scott Cannon (Executive Vice President and General Manager of Skanska Georgia and South Carolina Operations.), and Theonie Alicandro (Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, Drew Company) spoke to a crowd of GWCCA team members, Hilton representatives, construction workers, community members, elected officials, and media to celebrate the key construction milestone. Owned by GWCCA and managed by Hilton Management Services, Signia by Hilton Atlanta is the city's largest down- town ground-up hotel development project in 40 years. The 453-foot high hotel built on the repurposed foundation of the Georgia Dome will connect to the Georgia World Congress Center when it opens in January 2024. The publicly-owned property has created nearly a thousand new employment opportunities during its construction and will support nearly a thousand new jobs delivering millions in direct economic benefits and additional tax revenues to the state and the city during its operation. "We are thrilled to officially top off Signia by Hilton Atlanta and celebrate the accomplishments of all who have worked together for the past decade to reach this important milestone," said Frank Poe, Executive Director, GWCCA. "I applaud the efforts of GWCCA, as well as our partners at Hilton, Drew, Gensler, SG Contracting and Skanska for this incredible undertaking that has already transformed the sky- line of downtown Atlanta. The topping off of Signia by Hilton Atlanta brings GWCCA one step closer to realizing our vision of an interconnected Championship Campus establish- ing a package of facilities unrivaled in North America." Incorporating feedback from meeting professionals, guests, owners, and developers, Signia by Hilton was created to solve for critical gaps in the industry and infuses sophisti- cated travel and premium experiences into every aspect of the stay for business and leisure guests. Located in highly sought-after urban and resort destina- tions, Signia by Hilton delivers an exceptional hotel experience to all guests through unparalleled, dynamic meeting and events capabilities, world- class design, signature food and bever- age experiences and premium wellness offerings. When it opens next year, guests and locals alike will enjoy Signia by Hilton Atlanta's eight signature food and beverage experiences, including three restaurants and three bars, as well as world-class amenities, including a spa, beauty bar and fitness center with yoga stations, Peloton bikes and more. Whether hosting a corporate event, board meeting, gala or wedding, Signia by Hilton Atlanta will offer more than 100,000 square feet of meeting space, including the largest hotel ballroom in Georgia, an outdoor event deck and an outdoor event lawn, as well as three boardrooms. "As the first newly built Signia by Hilton property, this is an incredible milestone for Hilton and we are delighted to celebrate this occasion with our partners," said Gary Steffen, Global Category Head, Full-Service Brands, Hilton. "Whether booking a stay when visiting Atlanta for a conven- tion, or stopping by Signia by Hilton Atlanta for dinner and a cocktail before a sporting event, we're looking forward to welcoming guests and the community early next year and showcasing our reliable, friendly hospitality at a destination that is sure to become an Atlanta icon." Boston-based Drew Company is the developer for the 1.25 million square foot property with Gensler as the architect and a joint venture between Skanska and SG Contracting as the general contractor. More than 1 million hours have been worked to date on a site that routinely sees 600-plus workers on site at peak. The 42-story hotel contains 5,000-plus truck- loads of concrete and features 302,728 square feet of glass. "The men and women on this project have invested more