ATLANTA
Civil Rights leaders gathered recently to celebrate the much-anticipated opening of The Center for Civil and Human Rights, located half a mile from the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) and next door to the World of Coca-Cola and Georgia Aquarium.
“The opening of the Center for Civil and Human Rights continues the exciting momentum taking place in Atlanta this year,” said William Pate, president and CEO, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB). “The Center enhances tourism offerings downtown for our conventioneers and provides a unique and inspiring event facility for meeting planners in the heart of our convention district.
The 43,000-square-foot Center boldly and uniquely bridges the history of the Civil Rights Movement to contemporary human rights issues, thus sparking ongoing dialogue around the possibilities for the future. The building offers three flexible event spaces that can accommodate everything from corporate meetings and conference break-out sessions to holiday gatherings, wedding receptions and dinner parties. The entire building can accommodate up to 1,000 guests, including access to the Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection of Dr. King’s personal papers and items.
The Center has booked approximately 57 meetings with groups and organizations interested in hosting their event in this state-of-the-art facility, including the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in 2015. More than 2,000 official delegates are expected to attend the summit, including former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, U.S. President Barack Obama, F.W. de Klerk, Lech Walesa, Oscar Arias Sanchez, Shimon Peres and Henry Kissinger. Atlanta will be the second U.S. city ever to host the summit.
The Center’s opening kicks off more than $1.5 billion in new developments in Atlanta this year, including attractions, hotels, restaurants and retail. Later this summer, the College Football Hall of Fame will open adjacent to the GWCC and the Atlanta Streetcar will begin service.
Established in 1913, ACVB is a private, nonprofit organization created to favorably impact the Atlanta economy through conventions and tourism.
