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AREA GUIDES GEORGIA MEETING PLANNING IN THE PEACHTREE STATE BY SOLOMON J. HERBERT II While meeting and event planning in Georgia is dominated by Atlanta (which is also home to one of world's busiest air- ports), other cities like Augusta, Savannah and Macon make Georgia a destination that is decidedly diverse. When choosing meeting and event ven- ues in Georgia, planners have the choice of world-class convention centers, cam- puses (like the one at Emory University), museums and Olympic venues. With other facilities such as one of the country's most exciting ballparks, a museum dedicated to a world-famous soft drink and ornate historic theaters, planning memorable Georgia events is a snap. 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. •EAST POINT• The city of East Point is southwest of the neighborhoods of Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia. The name East Point derives from the fact that it is the place where the Atlanta & West Point Railroad ends in the east, just as West Point, Georgia, is the place where the rail line ends in the west. East Point has seen a great resur- gence in recent years with new business- es and residences popping up all over the city. More and more older World War II era homes have been purchased and remodeled, especially in the Jefferson Park neighborhood. The city even has a notable African- American who broke a major barrier. Rosemary Roberts Cloud is fire chief for 68 Welcome to East Point Black Meetings & Tourism March/April 2012: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Photo Credit: East Point the City of East Point, Georgia, and the first African-American Female fire chief in the United States. In her position, she is responsible for managing four fire sta- tions and 100 employees, in a city with 40,000 residents. If guests choose to enjoy staying in a simpler environment for a reunion or smaller meeting, East Point has got you covered with plenty of top-level hotels in the area. The Doubletree Club is a 220- room multi-story hotel with popular gue- stroom amenities for the business or leisure traveler, located one mile from ATL airport. This hotel offers a largest meeting capacity of 500. Situated just three miles from the airport and MARTA station lies the Comfort Inn & Suites. This contemporary six-story suburban hotel is equipped with 187 rooms and a meeting capacity of 125. The Hyatt Place Atlanta Airport-North is a 150-room modern hotel, located one mile from the airport, 12 miles from downtown attractions and shopping and is two miles from the GA International Convention Center. The hotel offers a meeting capacity of 50. Since East Point is located in the sub- urbs of Atlanta there are plenty of out- door recreational experiences business and leisure travelers alike can enjoy. One can escape from the city scene and plan an event at an East Point park, where groups can gather, take in the natural sur- roundings and re-energize. Reunion or meeting attendees can enjoy some of the park's many recre- ational amenities including tennis, play- grounds for the kids, pavilions, grills, bas- ketball courts and volleyball courts. While in East point be sure to experi- ence the popular Farmers Market. The East Point Farmers Market is an initiative of the East Point Main Street Association and the City of East Point with the sup- port of a large group of volunteers. HOTEL • • • STATS • • • The Doubletree Club E Comfort Inn & Suites Fairfield Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport North ROOMS 220 187 The Hyatt Place Atlanta Airport- North EXHIBITION FACILITIES 150 55 GeorgiaWorld Congress Center total exhibit space 1.4 million sq. ft. meeting rooms 106 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Atlanta CVB – (800) ATLANTA (404) 521-6600 www.atlanta.net/eastpoint If your attendees might need a larger facility to hold their event some venues are easily accessible in Atlanta. Americas Mart Atlanta, The Cobb Galleria Centre, and the Georgia World Congress Center are excellent choices of meeting loca- tions. Each is within five miles from the