Home to the fourth-largest convention center in the United States, Atlanta is known as a pre- mier meeting, trade show, and convention destination. But this hub of the Southeast has much more than meeting space for conven- tion attendees. More than 80 percent of the U.S. popula-
tion is located within a two-hour flight of the city, making Atlanta one of the most acces- sible destinations in the country. A new dedicated international terminal offers an easy gateway into the heart of the South for attendees from around the globe. Upon landing in Atlanta, it doesn’t take
long to get settled. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a short cab or MARTA ride into the convention corridor, and with more than 10,000 hotel rooms within a one- mile radius of the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC), attendees can meet, dine, and relax with ease. The GWCC anchors Atlanta’s compact
convention corridor, providing more than 1.4 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space. And the city’s event facilities don’t
end there — several venues offering creative meeting and event spaces are just steps away. Just a short walk across Centennial Olym-
pic Park, enjoy the World of Coca-Cola and Georgia Aquarium. Both not only offer great space for cocktail receptions and special dinners, but also provide visitors with world- class attractions. Sip on more than 60 variet- ies of Coca-Cola, or splash over to the Georgia Aquarium to see the whale sharks. Atlanta’s extensive art scene and rich his-
tory create cultural offerings unmatched in the South. Explore Atlanta from the Civil War through the civil-rights movement at the Atlanta History Center and Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, and, starting in 2014, at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Take in a play or concert at the historic Fox Theatre or Woodruff Arts Center, and view masterpieces at The High Museum. For those with an appetite for sports, Atlanta will soon be home to the College Football Hall of Fame. Speaking of appetites, there aren’t many Atlanta can’t feed. More than 700 Zagat-rated
restaurants provide visitors with the ability to indulge in anything from fine dining to Southern staples. Home to two 2012 James Beard Foundation Award winners and more than 10 “Top Chef” contestants, chef-owned restaurants provide the setting for Atlanta’s social scene. Convention attendees who wish to mix a
little pleasure with their business travel can take time out for shopping in Buckhead — the Beverly Hills of the Southeast — or bring the family along for outings to Six Flags over Georgia, Stone Mountain Park, and LEGO- LAND Discovery Center. Atlanta has everything needed to be a
world-class convention destination, but it doesn’t end there. The best part of Atlanta lies not in its concrete and steel, but rather in its people. From hotels to convention hallways, and cocktails to concierge, Atlanta’s hospital- ity industry is here to help your meeting run flawlessly from start to finish.
For more information: Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau — (404) 521-6600; atlanta.net
The real thing The World of Coca-Cola is a short walk from Centennial Olympic Park.