Atlanta
- Hyatt Regency Atlanta (404.577.1234; www.atlantaregency.hyatt.com) completed a $65 million renovation in December. Changes included updates to the hotel’s entryway, guest check-in, atrium lobby, atrium tower guest rooms and 30,000-square-foot Centennial Ballroom, as well as the addition of Sway, a Southern-inspired restaurant.
- The Atlanta Airport Marriott (404.766.7900; www.marriott.com) recently completed meeting and event space renovations.
- Upcoming improvements to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (404.330.6000; www.atlanta-airport.com) include a $5.4 billion development program that will expand, repair and upgrade designated areas within the airport’s facilities. This spring, a new international terminal will be completed, and Concourse E is expanding with 900,000 square feet of new space, including international passenger ticketing facilities and 12 additional gates.
- The National Center for Civil and Human Rights (404.991.6970; www.cchrpartnership.org) is expected to break ground at the end of this year and open in 2014. The facility will be located next to the World of Coca-Cola and Georgia Aquarium and offer visitors insight into the contributions made by Atlantans and Georgians to the historic struggle for African-American freedom and equality. In addition, the center will house the Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection and include a meeting and performance space.
- The $47.6 million Atlanta Streetcar (404.658.1877; www.atlantadowntown.com/initiatives/atlanta-streetcar) broke ground in February and is slated for completion later this year, with service beginning in mid-2013. It will transport visitors from the convention corridor downtown to the east side of the city, passing popular attractions.
Dunwoody
- The Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center (770.394.6500; www.atlantamarriottperimeter.com) recently completed a $23 million renovation. The project included redesigned guest rooms and suites, an updated lobby, the addition of 3,400 square feet of meeting space and a new building exterior complete with enhanced gardens and landscaping. The property now has 18,400 square feet of meeting space.
Athens
- The Classic Center (706.208.0900; www.classiccenter.com) is undergoing a $24 million expansion that will double its exhibit space to 55,000 square feet and create a 10,000-square-foot atrium. The expanded facilities are scheduled to open in March 2013.
Augusta
- Augusta is expanding its group facilities with the new Trade, Exhibit and Event Center (800.726.0243; www.augustateecenter.com), expected to open in late 2012. The center, which will be next to the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center, will include 38,000 square feet of column-free exhibit space and 29,000 square feet of prefunction space. The addition will expand group space to more than 100,000 total square feet.
Columbus
- Columbus Whitewater (706.596.0111; www.columbusgawhitewater.com) is scheduled for completion in late 2013. It will be the longest urban whitewater course in the world.
Albany
- Merry Acres (229.435.7721; www.merryacres.com) unveiled refurbished guest rooms in April, and in June a Southern-style restaurant will open for breakfast and lunch. Merry Acres also has golf, spa and an events center that accommodates up to 500 people.