About

1970s

Building a Foundation

1971: The Georgia General Assembly passes legislation establishing the Georgia World Congress Center Board, later renamed the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA), to develop the facility.

GWCC Groundbreaking

1974: A groundbreaking ceremony celebrates initial construction of the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC).

Open for Business

1976: GWCC officially opens its first exhibition hall on Sept. 8 to host the Bobbin Show/American Apparel Manufacturers Association Convention.

1980s

GWCC Expansion

1985: GWCC celebrates the completion of the Phase II Expansion Project which adds 1.1 million square feet.

Georgia Dome is Born

1989: Construction begins on a new home for the Atlanta Falcons. The 71,250-seat Georgia Dome will sit next to GWCC and host year-round events.

1990s

Atlanta Awarded the Olympics

1990: Beating out other notable cities such as Athens, Greece and Toronto, Canada, the International Olympic Committee selects Atlanta to host the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Growing Atlanta Reach

1992: GWCC Phase III Expansion Project is completed increasing exhibit space to 950,000 square feet in eight exhibit halls. The Georgia Dome hosts its first Atlanta Falcons game.

Centennial Olympic Park is Born

1995: In preparation for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, construction begins on the 21-acre Centennial Olympic Park (COP).

1996 Centennial Olympic Games

1996: Atlanta hosts the Centennial Olympic Games. The International Broadcast Center and sporting events take place on the GWCCA campus as the Park serves as the world’s gathering place.

2000s

Expansion Complete

2002: Completion of the 1.1 million square foot Phase IV Expansion Project makes GWCC one of the largest convention centers in the United States.

Tornado

2008: An EF2 tornado rips through downtown Atlanta hitting all three buildings of GWCC, the Georgia Dome, and Centennial Olympic Park causing more than $75 million in damages, yet most areas reopen within 42 days.

A Job Well Done

2009: After 33 years at the helm of GWCCA, Executive Director Dan Graveline retires. During his tenure, the three venues generate more than $40 billion in economic impact for Georgia and the city of Atlanta.

2010s

New Leadership

2010: Thirty-eight year convention center/public assembly veteran Frank Poe is appointed as the new Executive Director of the GWCCA.

Discovery Center Opens

2013: The Junior Achievement Chick-fil-A Foundation Discovery Center opens in Building C of the GWCC welcoming 30,000-plus middle school students to interactive marketplaces, placing education as a literal cornerstone in GWCCA’s social responsibility efforts.

GWCCA Reinvented

2014: The industry’s first-ever private-to-public management agreement is signed allowing GWCCA to manage the Savannah Convention Center. The Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame opens on the GWCCA campus.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

2017: Mercedes-Benz Stadium opens with the Atlanta Falcons hosting the Arizona Cardinals in preseason action at their new $1.6 billion home on the GWCCA campus.

Farewell to the Georgia Dome

2017: After 25 years elevating Atlanta as a host city for major events on the Authority’s campus, the Georgia Dome is imploded on Nov. 21.

Reaching Greater Heights

2018: Construction begins on the new BC Hall, which will create more than 1 million square feet of contiguous exhibition space, and make GWCC one of only five convention centers in the U.S. with this much space.

Centennial Olympic Park Revival

2019: Updates to COP are complete creating additional greenspace, new features, stronger ties to its Olympic heritage, and welcoming new entry points for guests.