KEY DEVELOPMENTS TO GEORGIA WORLD CONGRESS CENTER AUTHORITY CAMPUS IN ATLANTA DUE FOR COMPLETION BY 2023

The Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) is working on a massive development project of the GWCC campus that is set to be completed by the end of 2023.

The expansion project includes the introduction of a boulevard that will link the various venues within the campus together and the construction of the new Signia by Hilton hotel.

The Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) was established in 1971 to oversee development of an international trade and exhibition center in Atlanta, now known as the Georgia World Congress Center.

Over the years, the Authority has managed the development and operation of the Georgia Dome, the largest cable-supported domed stadium in the world, and Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta’s lasting legacy of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.

The GWCCA campus integrates the Georgia World Congress Center, Centennial Olympic Park and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) opened its doors in 1976 as a 35,000-sq.m. exhibit space. With successive expansion in 1985, 1992 and 2002, the GWCC has grown to a total of 390,000 m2 facility, making it the fourth largest convention centre in the country. It features 150,000 m2 of exhibit space, 12 exhibition halls, 98 meeting rooms, two ballrooms and three landscaped outdoor plazas.

In 2018, the GWCCA embarked on a $55 million expansion project. Although parts of the project are not due to be completed until next year, the campus has been open to the public since 2020. As part of the the expansion, the facility features a new 10,000 m2 exhibit hall affixed between the convention centre’s Buildings B and C. It creates over 100,000 m2 of contiguous exhibition space. The infrastructure allows the GWCC to compete for the industry’s most in-demand trade shows, conventions, and expos, while offering its largest annual events much-needed space now.

Recently completed Pedestrian Mall

Another important part of the project is the reshaping of the Andrew Young International Boulevard. The plan is to convert two lanes of Andrew Young International Boulevard into a pedestrian mall. By connecting to the new Signia by Hilton Hotel, the pedestrian alley will link all aspects of the existing infrastructure within the GWCCA Campus. With its increased open spaces, seating areas, and tiered decks, this project creates opportunities for customers and their attendees to enjoy outdoor space close to the interior spaces used for their events and to enhance the attendee experience.

The pedestrian mall opened earlier this year and should be completed by April with the ‘Transportation Depot’ project, a hub dedicated to bus and ride share options. The Depot contains loading/unloading spaces for 10 buses at a time, with staging capacity to have an additional bus waiting for each of the spaces.

The Signia by Hilton to complete a decade of expansion…

The last part of the expansion project to be built is the Signia by Hilton. a brand new hotel located within the GWCCA. Owned by GWCCA and managed by Hilton Management Services, Signia by Hilton Atlanta will overlook the Mercedes-Benz Stadium sports and entertainment complex and will be connected to the congress centre. Offering 7,500 m2 of meeting space, a destination bar, signature restaurant, premium wellness amenities, and 975 modern guest rooms, it is due to be completed by late 2023.

“Signia by Hilton Atlanta completes our vision for a connected campus and delivers a package of facilities unrivaled in any city in the United States,” said Frank Poe, executive director of Georgia World Congress Center Authority. “More importantly, it solidifies the Authority’s status as the economic catalyst for the area, spurring billions in growth along the west side of our campus.”

Signia by Hilton is one of the newest brands of the Hilton group. It integrates an upscale meetings and events brand geared toward sophisticated business travellers and meeting professionals. It combines premium meeting and event spaces with an elevated hotel experience, all delivered with the safety and security of customers in mind.