Why Meeting Bigger Can Still Be Better in Atlanta

By Melanie Schultz

Published September 13, 2020
Last Updated February 1, 2021

As the meetings and conventions industry continues to navigate through recovery and ever-changing conditions, Atlanta’s hospitality industry has introduced new measures to ensure the safety of visitors and employees while still providing a fantastic experience. As the first GBAC STAR accredited convention center in the U.S., Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) is an exemplary facility capable of hosting large-scale events while still prioritizing the health and safety of attendees and staff.

Here’s why: 

GBAC STAR Accreditation Puts GWCC On a Different Level

GWCC is the first convention center in the U.S. to achieve GBAC STAR accreditation for cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention—enabling the facility to create and maintain an organized, effective approach to work practices, protocols, procedures and systems for preventing and controlling associated risks. It is the industry’s only outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation. This alone sets Atlanta apart as a larger meeting destination that’s on a different level of getting back to business. 

Millions of Square Feet = More Space to Spread Out

With 1.5 million square feet of exhibit space, a dozen exhibit halls, nearly 100 meeting rooms and more, GWCC has no shortage of expansive space for larger events to be safely spread out. From physical distancing guidelines for public spaces, food lines, meeting rooms and exhibit halls to re-evaluating attendee flow, occupancy limits and registration protocols, Georgia World Congress Center uses expansive space to create a safe, spread out environment for attendees and exhibitors.

Technology for One Event, Two Experiences 

Hybrid meetings and events (those with an in-person component as well as a virtual component) are here to stay, becoming an important method for reaching all audiences moving forward. GWCC’s Technology and Audiovisual partners ensure the facility is equipped to provide not only a touchless in-person experience but a virtual one for those unable to be in Atlanta—offering multiple options to assist planners in providing virtual content to attendees not on site as well as virtual site visits showing room sets with physical distancing requirements applied. 

A Campus Accommodating to the Open Outdoors

As if the indoors of GWCC didn’t boast enough space to safely stay distant while you meet, attendees can reap the benefits of the outdoors at one of three beautifully landscaped outdoor plazas on the convention campus. Although Centennial Olympic Park is currently closed, GWCC plans to focus resources on preserving the 22 acres of green space and landscape in anticipation of daily use in the near future. Additional outdoor areas include International Plaza featuring two acres of green space steps outside of Building B and The Home Depot Backyard neighboring Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Both locations provide the perfect option to relax between sessions.

Friendly Reminders GWCC Won’t Let You Forget

Attendees meeting in the convention center can expect to see gentle reminders on required physical distancing and hygiene guidelines throughout GWCC and its campus. From placing more signage in all common, high-touch areas of the facility to providing information digitally on social channels, indoor monitors and outdoor billboards, GWCC is doing it all to reinforce protocols and guidelines. 

Understanding the Uncertainty

We can boast about our GBAC STAR accreditation, toot our horn about the expansive space GWCC offers to safely spread out and hand you all of the resources and information you need to know on a silver platter—but in the end, we understand the feeling of uncertainty meeting planners and attendees may have. So, when you’re ready to meet on a different level, Atlanta is still here, and GWCC is prepared to accommodate a compelling meeting experience.

Need more? Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau is here to help by bringing Atlanta to meeting planners first, with the 360ATL virtual experience. Once that piques your interest, reach out to the ACVB team to get some conversations going or submit an RFP.