Georgia World Congress Center – Overview

The Georgia World Congress Center located in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of the largest convention centers in the United States; the third largest, to be exact. Three adjacent buildings, referred to as Building A, B, and C, make up the Georgia World Congress Center. Combined these buildings encompass approximately 3.9 million square feet of enclosed space, 1.4 million square feet of which is designated as prime exhibition space. If those numbers don’t sound big to you now, they certainly will after seeing the Georgia World Congress Center in person.

 

Overview

  • Building A: Building A is the smallest of the Georgia World Congress Center’s three buildings. That’s not really saying much though. Despite its relatively small size, Building A boasts three exhibit halls and the Sidney Marcus Auditorium. The exhibit halls in Building A range in size from 86,000 square feet to 149,000. With seating for over 1,700, the state-of-the-art Sidney Marcus Auditorium regularly hosts concerts and other live performances. In addition to the three exhibit halls and the Sidney Marcus Auditorium, Building A also features 29 meeting rooms, a 2,593-square-foot executive boardroom, and the Southern Roots Café.
  • Building B: Next up is Building B, which also happens to be the largest building of the trio. Nestled between Buildings A and C, Building B serves as the core of the Georgia World Congress Center campus. As such, Building B encompasses a variety of gathering spaces and amenities. These include five exhibit halls, 47 meeting rooms, the 33,000-square-foot Thomas Murphy Ballroom, the Social Table restaurant, a FedEx Office Print & Ship Center, and even a gift shop. The square footage of the five exhibit halls in Building B is comparable to that of the three exhibit halls in Building A, ranging from 89,500 square feet to 151,000 square feet.
  • Building C: Building C is the newest Building at the Georgia World Congress Center. It is well-equipped to host conferences and other large gatherings, featuring four exhibit halls between 100,000 and 106,000 square feet, 23 meeting rooms, two auditoriums, and the 25,700-square-foot Georgia Ballroom. Like Building B, Building C also features a FedEx Office store and a gift shop.
  • Exhibit Hall BC: An expansion project slated for completion in 2019 plans to connect Buildings B and C. The two buildings will be connected via a fixed gateway between two existing exhibit halls. This fixed gateway will serve as an additional, 100,000-square-foot exhibit hall. The new exhibit hall will be able to be combined with the exhibit halls in Buildings B and C in order to offer more than one million square feet of contiguous exhibition space to accommodate even larger events.
  • Centennial Olympic Park: Also part of the Georgia World Congress Center campus is beautiful Centennial Olympic Park. This 21-acre public park was built in 1996 as a gathering place for visitors attending the 1996 Summer Olympics. Since then, Centennial Olympic Park has welcomed millions of visitors each year. The park is located next to Building A, which makes it a popular spot for visitors to the Georgia World Congress Center to unwind when there’s downtime in their schedule. Notable features of Centennial Olympic Park include the Southern Company Amphitheater, which often hosts concerts and other live events, the six-acre Great Lawn, a reflecting pool and water gardens, and perhaps most famously, the Fountain of Rings. The Fountain of Rings is an interactive water feature based on the design of the Olympic rings that has become known as the centerpiece of Centennial Olympic Park.

 

Tips

  • Take time to visit local landmarks and attractions. Downtown Atlanta is home to a number of must-see sights, including World of Coca-Cola, the College Football Hall of Fame, CNN Center, and the Georgia Aquarium. These attractions and many more are all located within walking distance of the Georgia World Congress Center, so get out and explore!
  • Pick up a map of the Georgia World Congress Center when you arrive. At 3.9 million square feet, the Georgia World Congress Center is one of the largest convention centers in the United States. This can make the facility difficult to navigate, especially for first time visitors. Maps can be found at Information Desks located by the entrance to Buildings A, B, and C.
  • Look for monitors located throughout the Georgia World Congress Center. These monitors serve as a wayfinding system that can be particularly helpful during large, crowded gatherings. In addition to helping you find your way through the facility, the monitors can also fill you in on the many amenities offered at the Georgia World Congress Center.
  • Bring warm clothing. Many visitors note that the Georgia World Congress Center tends to be a bit chilly when it’s mostly empty. Things could begin to warm up once the crowds start pouring in however, so it’s best to bring a warm article of clothing that can easily be put on and taken off as needed.
  • Wear comfortable shoes. A visit to the Georgia World Congress Center is not the time to break in a new pair of shoes. Instead, wear comfortable shoes that provide plenty of support. The last thing you want is for your feet to be aching after a long day of walking around the Georgia World Congress Center.
  • Need help? Ask an Ambassador. Representing Downtown Atlanta’s friendly Ambassador Force, Ambassadors are more than happy to lend a hand, whether you need directions back to your hotel or suggestions on things to do. They can be easily identified by their red and blue uniforms and are often found riding a Segway or bike.
  • Get around Downtown on the Atlanta Streetcar. The Atlanta Streetcar is one of the city’s newest and most budget-friendly transportation options. It costs just $1 to ride and takes you on a 2.7-mile journey through Downtown, making 12 stops along the way. For just $2 more you can upgrade to an all-day pass. Kids ride for free.
  • Know which building your event is being held in ahead of time. The Georgia World Congress Center is comprised of three buildings, Building A, B, and C. Although these buildings are located right next to one another, having to walk from one end of the Georgia World Congress Center’s 200-acre campus to the other can be a time-consuming ordeal.
  • Public transport is the fastest, cheapest, and easiest way to arrive. Don’t bother renting a car during your visit to the Georgia World Congress Center unless you absolutely have to. Public transportation options in Downtown Atlanta are plentiful and parking at or around the Georgia World Congress Center can be pricey.
  • Stop by Southern Roots Café when it’s time for a break. Southern Roots Café is a relaxing coffee shop located in Building A of the Georgia World Congress Center. It features an outdoor patio area where eventgoers can unwind after spending hours on the exhibit hall floor while sipping on a warm cup of coffee or sampling one of their delicious pastries.

 

Trivia

  • When it opened in 1976, the Georgia World Congress Center was the first state-owned convention center in the country. The facility was and still is operated on behalf of the Georgia World Congress Authority, an organization established by the Georgia General Assembly five years earlier in 1971. The Georgia World Congress Authority has also been responsible for the development and subsequent operation of Centennial Olympic Park and the now-defunct Georgia Dome. The organization also owns Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC.
  • The Georgia World Congress Center played host to a number of events during the 1996 Summer Olympics. These events included fencing, handball, table tennis, judo, wrestling, weightlifting, and portions of the modern pentathlon. It also served as the International Broadcast Centre for the Games, becoming a temporary hub for broadcasters from all around the world. The Georgia World Congress Center’s involvement in the Olympic Games is commemorated by landmarks like Centennial Olympic Park, the Fountain of Rings, and the Centennial Tree. Other notable events held at the Georgia World Congress Center include SEC Football Fanfare, WrestleMania Axxess, the Soul Train Music Awards, and tapings of Family Feud.
  • President George W. Bush delivered a speech at the Georgia World Congress Center in the wake of 9/11 on November 8, 2001. In his speech, President Bush famously invoked the last words of Todd Beamer, a passenger onboard United Airlines Flight 93, declaring, “My fellow Americans, let’s roll.” He would go on to quote Beamer once again during his 2002 State of the Union address.
  • The Georgia World Congress Center sustained significant damage due to a tornado that struck Downtown Atlanta in March 2008. Water damage was widespread throughout the facility, caused by holes in the roof, damage to the sprinkler system, and broken water pipes. All immediate events scheduled to take place at the Georgia World Congress Center were cancelled, but only for a brief period of time. The facility managed to reopen a little over a month later in time to host the FIRST Championship, a four-day robotics competition which began on April 18.