Atlanta is like a Russian nesting doll. On the face of it, it’s a fun and colorful city. And when opened, or explored, meeting planners will find a lineup of group-welcoming neighborhoods of varying sizes, each with its own unique features.
Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead and the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport area are the city’s four main hot spots for meetings, making this star Southern destination the perfect place for repeat business that will offer a fresh experience for groups during each visit.
Downtown
Downtown, located in the heart of the city, is an ideal starting point to explore Atlanta, according to Mark Vaughan, executive vice president and chief sales officer for the Atlanta CVB.
“Atlanta’s walkable convention and entertainment district surrounds Centennial Olympic Park and offers more than 11,700 hotel rooms, 730,000 square feet of hotel meeting space and nearly 300 dining options within a one-mile radius of Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC),” he said.
The area also offers the Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart, group-friendly hotels including Hilton Atlanta, Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center and Atlanta Marriott Marquis, and is on track to welcome this summer the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, new home of the NFL Atlanta Falcons.
“For meeting planners, Atlanta’s Downtown attractions are twice as sweet, as they double as unique, one-of-a-kind event spaces,” Vaughan added.
Among them are the Georgia Aquarium, College Football Hall of Fame, World of Coca-Cola and Center for Civil and Human Rights.
There are also several Downtown-based unique group tours that will keep attendees entertained, including Atlanta Food Walks, during which they will taste delicious Southern cuisine at several landmark eateries such as Smoke Ring for barbecue, and Atlanta Movie Tours, which features stops at famous film locations.
Midtown
Known as the “Heart of the Arts,” Midtown is the seat of Atlanta’s arts and cultural community. Some of the city’s best restaurants, boutiques and nightclubs also reside in Midtown, which was named to the American Planning Association’s 2016 list of Great Places in America.
The district, according to Vaughan, offers 4,500 hotel rooms and 198,000 square feet of hotel meeting and event space for small to midsize meetings.
Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta, Crowne Plaza Atlanta Midtown and Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center are popular options in this neighborhood’s lineup of meetings-ready properties.
“After the meeting, attendees can enjoy extraordinary exhibits, musical performances and entertainment for all ages at award-winning venues like Woodruff Arts Center, Center for Puppetry Arts, Fox Theatre and Museum of Design Atlanta,” said Vaughan, who added, “Locals and visitors alike congregate at Piedmont Park, Atlanta’s favorite green space, for festivals and concerts.”
Also within the neighborhood’s compact layout, which allows for an array of off-session exploration, is Atlanta Botanical Garden, where groups can sign up for seasonal cooking classes.
PageBreak
At Ponce City Market, attendees will find various shops and a food hall, while the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail spans a 2.3-mile path stretching from Piedmont Park to Krog Street Market, a favorite local food destination.
Buckhead
“Buckhead melds the fast pace of a dynamic business center with the city’s most exquisite restaurants, upscale shops and exciting nightlife options to create the ultimate experience in luxury,” Vaughan said.
Among the eclectic dining options here are South City Kitchen Buckhead and Bistro Niko on Peachtree Road; The Cafe at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead; Astor Court at The St. Regis Atlanta; the Cafe & Bar at Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta; and the Southern Gentleman Gastropub and Dolce Italian, both located at the Shops at Buckhead.
“Buckhead is a shopper’s paradise, often referred to as the ‘Beverly Hills of the East,’” said Vaughan, who cited the Shops at Buckhead, Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza as retail therapy for those in the group seeking designer brands and other luxury goodies.
And Buckhead “reigns supreme when it comes to high-end accommodations,” added Vaughan, who noted the neighborhood has 5,300 hotel rooms and 197,000 square feet of hotel meeting and event space.
“Venues throughout this neighborhood offer special-event options that are sure to impress,” he said.
As well as those already mentioned, group-friendly properties here include JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead, InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta, Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel & Conference Center, Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead and the Westin Buckhead Atlanta.
Along with wonderful restaurants and exciting shopping options, Buckhead offers entertaining attractions where groups can unwind after a day of meetings, including the Painted Pin, an upscale boutique bar and bowling alley, where according to Vaughan groups can also enjoy ping pong, skee-ball, bocce ball and darts.
Airport Area
Located just minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, meeting planners will find 11,200 hotel rooms in a range of price points, more than 250,000 square feet of meeting space and the Georgia International Convention Center, which offers another 150,000 square feet of exhibit space, two LEED-certified convention hotels and a free automated people mover that directly connects to the airport.
Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway, Hilton Atlanta Airport and Crowne Plaza Atlanta Airport are among the many options to choose from for group events nearby the airport.
“Two of Atlanta’s most unique attractions are in the airport area,” added Vaughan, who cited the Delta Flight Museum and Porsche Experience Center Atlanta. “Both offer engaging and one-of-a-kind experiences for meeting attendees.”
While groups will find terrific dining options at the airport itself, including Atlanta Chophouse & Brewery and P.F. Chang’s, delectable eateries also reside on-site at host hotels in the area, including 1900 Grill at the Sheraton Atlanta Airport Hotel, Bentleys Steakhouse and VOYA Bistro at the Atlanta Airport Marriott, and Cecilia’s Southern Table at the Westin Atlanta Airport.
