Valdosta – The Georgia Department of Economic Development highlights commercial destinations, especially rainwater.
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With unrivaled national and global connectivity, world -class sites and hospitality, and a diversified range of state -of -scale experiences, Georgia is distinguished as a leading destination for the accommodation of meetings and conventions of all sizes. New and unique places through the State offer planners widened options that inspire creativity and the connection between participants while increasing the growth of the Georgia business and congress industry.
Business Travel is a key engine of economic growth and Georgia labor, essential for support for industries such as accommodation, food and drinks, retail and transport. According to the most recent data, 16.4 million national visitors went to Georgia for business and conventions, which leads to $ 4.3 billion in direct spending and contributing to a record year for the state tourism industry in 2023.
“Professional meetings and events mean business in Georgia, offering advantages that extend far beyond the event itself”, ” says the director of marketing of the Department of Economic Development of Georgia Mark Jononski. “This essential segment of travel stimulates the spending of visitors, supports thousands of jobs and creates opportunities for small businesses through the State, further strengthening the position of Georgia as a leading destination for businesses and leisure.”
Georgia meeting spaces continue to evolve to meet the growing demand for flexible and ultramodern sites. From dynamic cities to small picturesque cities, the expansion portfolio of the state of congress centers, conference stations and unique meeting spaces play a key role in the attraction of large -scale events and smaller business gatherings.
“The georgia group's business sector is suffering from new heights thanks to the incredible developments and the collective efforts of our state tourism industry”, ” declared the director of tourism of the Ministry of Economic Development of Georgia, Jay Markwalter. “Meetings and conventions feed the economic engine of Georgia by attracting visitors who stay in our hotels, dine in our restaurants, buy local businesses and pass the word on all that Georgia has to offer.”
Celebrating his 25th anniversary, the newly extended Savannah congress center has not only doubled in size but also in capacity with improved capacities to accommodate a greater variety of larger events and groups. The center includes 200,000 square feet of exhibition space, a new 40,000 square foot ballroom to complete the existing 25,000 square feet ballroom, a new parking lot at 900 spaces, and more. The development of a new signia of 400 rooms by Hilton Savannah Headquarter Hotel next to the Congress Center is also underway. In town, visitors can explore unique attractions such as Plant Riverside DistrictHistorical sites such as the emblematic Forshyth parkand some of the best southern dishes from restaurants like Gray And The Pink Olde house.
At Conference center on rainwater In ValdostaParticipants live a versatile space with more than 47,000 square feet of meeting areas, including a conference room of 4,000 square feet and a spacious exhibition hall. A recent renovation of $ 1 million featuring furniture and modernized decoration, improved equipment and local works have contributed to a significant increase in reservations for the center, solidifying its position of higher event space in the region. Rainwater is ideally located near some of the most popular attractions in Valdosta, as Theme park of wild adventuresthe history Crescent in the center of garden center Valdostaand the Annette Howell Turner Center for the ArtsOffering meeting lovers the opportunity to explore the culture and charm of the city.
Originally built for the competitions of Olympic and canoe / kayak of 1996, The ship in boats at the Lac Lanier Olympic Park In Gainesville Now offers 18,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including a large ballroom, conference rooms, a covered terrace and a veranda overlooking the picturesque shores of the largest Lake in Georgia. Groups can always row or ward off these Olympic waters on one of the first lessons in the world. Out of the water, Gainesville offers unique catering experiences such as AttractThe first place of “eater” of the city, and the opportunities to connect with the nature to Linwood nature reserveAn Audubon fauna sanctuary which houses more than 40 species of birds.
Keep above the clouds Cloudland at McLemore Resort In Rising Fawn. Perched at the top of Lookout Mountain, Cloudland offers 20,000 square feet of event space, including two large ballrooms, escape rooms and outdoor areas with panoramic views. The 245 -room complex is complete with acclaimed golf courses, an infinity pool all year round, a full service spa and high catering options. This summer, its golf offers are developing with the opening of The Keep, a new 18 -hole cliff course joining the course of the high -hole highlands. Nearby, the outdoor adventures await you, from the shift Lookout Mountain Flight Park to cascade and downward hiking at Cloudland Canyon State Park.
In the heart of AtlantaTHE Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) The championship campus is the largest combined destination of congresses, sports and entertainment in the United States encompassing the GWCC, the Centennial Olympic Park, the Mercedes-Benz stadium, and Signia by Hilton AtlantaThe campus attracted more than 3.3 million visitors and hosted 164 events during the year 2024, according to the latest GWCC. Benefiting from 1.5 million square feet of exhibition space, the GWCC is the fourth congress center of the country. The most recent addition to the campus and a destination in itself, the signia of 976 keys of Hilton Atlanta offers more than 100,000 square feet of meeting space, including the largest hotel ballroom in Georgia. I'm just on foot, Mercedes-Benz Stadium – A host location for the FIFA World Cup 2026 – and Centennial Olympic Park – Recently updated with a renovation of $ 2.5 million which modernized the emblematic fountain of the rings and introduced a new information center for visitors – completes the dynamic experience.
The sky is the limit of events to the new Delta Flight MuseumWhere the history and the future of aviation mix with 68,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Installed in historic hangars originally built in the 1940s, the museum's immersive exhibitions gave life to the heritage and the growth of Delta Air Lines, from a small operation in crop derivation to a global airline. Ideally located near the busiest airport in the Atlanta world, the Delta Flight Museum serves as a distinctive backdrop, arousing innovation and inspiring all those who meet here.
Duluth's Gas South district is a versatile campus of 118 acres including the Gas South Convention Center, Westin Atlanta Gwinnett, Gas South Theater and Gas South Arena. The new extended congress center includes an exhibition hall of 90,000 square feet, a 21,600 square feet ballroom, 23 meeting rooms, a food room and an exclusive catering by the award -winning evidence of pudding. A few steps away, the new room with 348 bedrooms Westin Atlanta Gwinnett Offers 17,000 square feet of conference space, 13 meeting rooms, a roof bar and a green space connecting directly to the congress center. Beyond the campus, Duluth serves award -winning culinary options – including two restaurants recognized by Michelin, Masterpiece And Snackboxe Bistro – as well as shopping, a dynamic artistic and cultural scene and outdoor leisure.
For more information on meetings and conventions in Georgia, visit exploregeorgia.org/meetings.
