Compelling Guest Experiences

Team Summit 2024: Investing in Excellence from Within

An organization’s commitment to excellence and growth often resonates through its internal dialogue: What defines an unconventional leadership experience? How does a team create an unconventional experience that impacts an event or guest? How can you be an unconventional experience in your professional and personal life? Those topics and more were discussed at Georgia World Congress Center Authority’s (GWCCA) 8th annual TEAM SUMMIT 2024.

Centennial Olympic Park’s Iconic Fountain of Rings Being Modernized with Grant from Woodruff Foundation

Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) announced that Centennial Olympic Park’s iconic Fountain of Rings is being modernized thanks to a generous $2.5 million grant from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation that aims to improve both its operational reliability and guest experience. The upgrades mark the first major enhancement of the Fountain of Rings since […]

Look Up Atlanta 2023 Recap

July 28, 2023 On Saturday, July 1, Look Up Atlanta filled the skyline with fireworks and the downtown community with joy. “Look Up Atlanta is the largest metropolitan fireworks show in the country that celebrates Independence Day by showcasing the best of Atlanta for Atlantans,” said Jennifer LeMaster, Chief Administrative Officer. Taking place every July […]

IPPE More than Chickens and Eggs for Many

The International Production and Processing Expo, better known as IPPE, at Georgia World Congress Center is THE event for the meat, poultry, and feed industries every year. 2023 marked IPPE’s 47th expo held here at GWCC. Over 130 countries were represented at IPPE 2023, and more than 25,000 visitors came to the city for the expo. A big part of the event is showcasing the latest technology, equipment, supplies, and services, but some attendees came to GWCC looking for more than just the latest and greatest instruments and tech.

Landmarks & Legacies: Soccer ball sculpture at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a kick

Landmarks & Legacies is an occasional unConventional blog series exploring the various identifying and distinctive physical features of the GWCCA campus. Perhaps you’ve posed for a selfie with the enormous, reflective stainless steel soccer ball overlooking The Home Depot Backyard when you attended an Atlanta United game at state-of-the-art Mercedes Benz Stadium (MBS). But did […]

The Tip-off: Come on, let’s bounce on GWCCA’s championship campus

Remember that epic fast food commercial with basketball legends Larry Bird and Michael Jordan sinking outlandish shots while playing a game of H.O.R.S.E. that spilled out of the gym and into urban environments? “Off the expressway, over the river, off the billboard, through the window, off the wall – nothing but net,” says Jordan as […]

Plan ahead for weekend events on GWCCA campus

The Georgia World Congress Center Authority’s (GWCCA) downtown campus and surrounding areas will host a variety of overlapping events from Friday, Feb. 28 through Sunday, March 1, bringing heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic to downtown Atlanta. Here’s a look at some events taking place on the GWCCA campus this weekend: Friday, Feb. 28: Atlanta International […]

Tuesday Talk: Getting revved up for Atlanta International Auto Show

Tuesday Talk rounds up the latest Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) news you might have missed and also points forward to upcoming events on our campus. One of the Georgia World Congress Center’s (GWCC) longest-running and most popular public events returns this week as the 38th annual Atlanta International Auto Show (AIAS) sets up […]

The Progress Report: Downtown Ambassador Force extends campus hospitality

Each year, Downtown Atlanta welcomes more than 50 million visitors, many of whom come to the area to attend meetings, events, and conventions at the Georgia World Congress Center Authority’s (GWCCA) campus. Thus, tourism and hospitality are priority areas for Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (CAP/ADID). Our collective efforts aim to, […]

The Tip-off: GWCCA campus embraces fourth Final Four

It won’t be the first time the GWCCA campus has gone dancing. Hosting the culmination of The Big Dance for the fourth time, GWCCA’s 220-plus acre downtown Atlanta campus and surrounding area are poised to transform into a hotbed of hoops for the 2020 NCAA Final Four the first weekend in April. While the GWCCA […]

Tuesday Talk: The D-OH Double G at C.O.P.

Tuesday Talk rounds up the latest Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) news you might have missed and also points forward to upcoming events on our campus. ICYMI (In Case You Missed It): The suddenly controversial again rapper Snoop Dogg has joined the lineup for 2020 Sweetwater 420 Fest taking place April 24-26 at Centennial […]

Landmarks & Legacies: Ivan Allen, Jr.’s imprint on GWCCA campus

Landmarks & Legacies is an occasional unConventional blog series exploring the various identifying and distinctive physical features of the GWCCA campus. Atlanta is among the fastest-growing large cities in the country, according to a report published by WalletHub, and its continued growth and success are due in large part to visionary city leaders both past […]

The Tip-off: Final Four fever heating up on GWCCA campus

We don’t yet know what quartet of college and university teams will be represented here, but many of the other pieces of a fantastic NCAA Men’s Final Four are coming together. And the Georgia World Congress Center Authority’s (GWCCA) downtown Atlanta campus will be the epicenter of Final Four activity. Welcome to The Tip-off, a […]

Landmarks & Legacies: Whimsical mural spices up Centennial Olympic Park visitors center

Welcome to Landmarks & Legacies, a new unConventional series exploring many of the distinctive physical features, prominent landscapes, public art displays, historic monuments, and architectural idiosyncrasies of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority’s (GWCCA) 220-plus acre downtown Atlanta campus. You may ask, why is there a giant stainless steel peach sculpture on the GWCCA’s East […]

Celebration Bowl builds on family tradition as Aggies three-peat

As a proud alumna of North Carolina A&T State University and a Greensboro, N.C, native, I wouldn’t have missed Saturday’s (Dec. 21) Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl for the world. The Celebration Bowl crowns a winner between the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). “The event’s mission is to provide the schools, alumni, fans, and […]

Last-minute GWCCA Holiday Gift Guide for 2019

It’s that time of year again. The gift-giving season is upon us, leaving shoppers with the task of trying to find out-of-the-ordinary, yet affordable options, all while the clock is ticking. But here’s a bit of holiday cheer: unConventional has done the legwork for you. Here are some easy, unConventional if you will, gift ideas […]

420 Fest at Centennial Olympic Park adds to 2020 lineup

The Grammy Award-winning rock act Cage the Elephant has joined Sweetwater 420 Fest at Centennial Olympic Park as 2020 headliners while Gary Clark, Jr. was dropped from the lineup due to scheduling conflicts. Cage the Elephant is just one of several performing acts announced today bolstering the festival’s previously-revealed lineup that includes Phish frontman Trey […]

Talking turkey: GWCCA executive chef dishes expert carving tips

Nothing screams Thanksgiving like a succulent, well-presented turkey on the dinner table. You have labored, read all the cooking blogs, stayed up late nights shopping at grocery stores and cooked all day just to get to this point. You finally made it! It is time for you and your guests to reach for your phones […]

Tuesday Talk: Symphonic sounds at Centennial Olympic Park

Tuesday Talk rounds up the latest Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) news you might have missed and also points forward to upcoming events on our campus. What could be better than sweet symphonic sounds underneath the stars in the open autumn air of downtown Atlanta’s crown jewel? How about free? The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra […]

National Indoor Plant Week: Meet the GWCCA’s Plant Lady

Around the corridors, office spaces and massive concourses inside the facilities that make up the Georgia World Congress Center Authority’s (GWCCA) downtown Atlanta complex, Mashid Irvani is widely known as “The Plant Lady.” Irvani, an interior plant specialist for The Garden Design Group, is, in fact, THE Plant Lady, by trade and in spirit. In […]

National Tailgating Day: Home Depot Backyard is the place for pre-gaming

Football season is here and The Home Depot Backyard is your one-stop destination for pregame festivities before Atlanta Falcons games all season long. In honor of National Tailgating Day (Saturday, Sept. 7), unConventional checked in with The Home Depot Backyard, a beautiful, 11-acre green space that is situated on the site of the former Georgia Dome […]

Everything you need to know about ONE Musicfest at Centennial Olympic Park

You may have been to ONE Musicfest before, but you haven’t been to ONE Musicfest at Centennial Olympic Park. It’s the festival’s 10th anniversary, but the first time being staged at downtown Atlanta’s crown jewel and ultimate outdoor concert venue. Stay calm, unConventional has you covered with this know-before-you-go guide to the Southeast’s largest two-day […]

Parents' guide to Jurassic Quest at the GWCC

One of my favorite shows we host at Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) makes its (pre)historic return this weekend (Aug. 23-25). Jurassic Quest, America’s largest and most realistic dinosaur event, takes attendees of all ages inside the Cretaceous, Jurassic, and Triassic periods to experience for themselves what it was like to be among dinosaurs of […]

Parents’ guide to Jurassic Quest at the GWCC

Are you ready for some football? 2019 season ready to kick off on GWCCA campus

The Georgia World Congress Center Authority’s (GWCCA) Championship Campus featuring Atlanta’s premier pigskin palace is preparing for the annual rites of passage known as football ahead of the Atlanta Falcons home preseason debut on Thursday (Aug. 15). August will be chock full of hard-hitting gridiron action as Mercedes-Benz Stadium (MBS) begins its third full season. […]

Tips for navigating APS’ Back-to-School Bash at the GWCC

With summer coming to a close, it’s time again for supply lists, new backpacks, and physical exams. While many metro-area school districts are already in session, Atlanta Public Schools (APS) head back into the classroom on Monday (Aug. 12), and to get students and parents ready, APS is once again hosting its Back-to-School Bash on […]

Tips for navigating APS' Back-to-School Bash at the GWCC

Retooled Centennial Olympic Park visitor center now open

Meet the new Visitor Information Center at Centennial Olympic Park. Now open, the refreshed space located near the popular Fountain of Rings is a collaboration between the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) and Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB). The discerning eye may notice the swirling, circular Atlanta logo (that’s ACVB’s) on the building […]

Tuesday Talk: Q-and-A with DJ Yvonne Monet

Tuesday Talk rounds up the latest Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) news you might have missed and also points forward to upcoming events on our campus. If you listened to Atlanta radio in the early-to-mid-’90s or hit the city’s club scene during that time, you’ve probably busted a move to tunes spun by Yvonne […]

GWCCA salutes 2019 Social Media Day

Happy National Social Media Day! Social Media Day is celebrated on June 30 every year, founded in 2010 by global, multi-platform media and entertainment company Mashable. This day is set aside to honor the existence and influence of social media in our daily lives. At the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA), we use social […]

Rediscover Centennial Olympic Park: A guided tour of Quilt Plazas and Water Gardens

Let’s take a walk. We are going to explore an area of Centennial Olympic Park’s most distinctive features, the Quilt Plazas and Water Gardens. Located along the east border of the Park, the five 60-feet-by-60-feet plazas tell the impressive story of Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Games. A cascading series of beautifully landscaped water features weave together […]

Tuesday Talk: Peachtree Road Race history; Uncle Luke's a-coming

Tuesday Talk rounds up the latest Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) news you might have missed and also points forward to upcoming events on our campus. One of Atlanta’s most-enduring Fourth of July traditions – the Peachtree Road Race – is a little more than a week away, but you can get a crash […]

Tuesday Talk: Peachtree Road Race history; Uncle Luke’s a-coming

GWCCA’s last-minute gift guide for Father’s Day 2019

While there’s nothing wrong with a new pair of spiffy socks or a stylish new tie for the working dad, why not take your Father’s Day gift-giving up a notch? With the big day fast approaching – it’s this Sunday (June 16) – unConventional has compiled a last-minute Father’s Day gift guide, but these presents […]

GWCCA's last-minute gift guide for Father's Day 2019

GWCCA graduation ceremony tips for DeKalb County Schools

It’s that time again for caps, gowns, tassels, and rites of passage at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC). We are excited to host the DeKalb County School District graduation ceremonies so get ready family, friends, and community. We will kick off the graduation season starting with Towers High School’s commencement ceremony on Tuesday (May […]

Mom-umental Mavama pods: GWCCA continues to create an inclusive space

This weekend marks a celebration of all mothers, the influential heroes of our society. Mother’s Day (May 12) honors motherhood and the impact of their maternal bonds, and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) recently became even more mom-friendly with the installation of new Mamava pods. Throughout their lifetime, mothers are often faced with […]

Five Questions with ONE Musicfest's Jason Carter

Atlanta’s acclaimed ONE Musicfest has found a new home for its 10th anniversary – Centennial Olympic Park, on the Georgia World Congress Center Authority’s downtown Atlanta campus. The event – described as the Southeast’s largest annual urban progressive music festival – is set for Sept. 7-8 at the Park, and early bird tickets went on […]

Five Questions with ONE Musicfest’s Jason Carter

Convenience is key: CVS Kiosks add to GWCCA guest experience

Imagine this scenario: You are at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) for a meeting, the keynote is about to start in five minutes and you realize you forgot to take your over-the-counter allergy medicine. Lucky for you, the GWCC has recently installed two new CVS store kiosks. These kiosks are located in Building A […]

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week: honoring GWCCA’s unsung heroes

In the most difficult moments of our lives, there’s one phone number we call when we need help. And before the police officer gets to the scene or the fire truck comes to the rescue, there are a group of individuals answering those calls and making sure we get the aid we need. These emergency […]

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week: honoring GWCCA's unsung heroes

2020 Final Four planning coming into focus on GWCCA championship campus

And then there were four – Auburn, Michigan State, Texas Tech, and Virginia were triumphant in their Elite Eight games over the weekend and are now off to the Final Four in Minneapolis. The festivities begin on Friday (April 5) and culminate on Monday (April 8) with the Championship Game at U.S. Bank Stadium. This […]

Parking 101: Pro tips for securing your spot on the GWCCA campus

With multiple events large, small – and in between – commonly overlapping on the Georgia World Congress Center Authority’s (GWCCA) downtown Atlanta campus, the logistics of getting here should be part of any visitor’s plan. And if you’re driving, understanding your multiple parking options is key. The Red Deck, with seven levels and 2,041 parking […]

Meet the GWCCA’s first-ever paw patroller

Today (March 13) marks National K9 Veterans Day, a celebration designed to honor the commitment and sacrifices that military dogs, police dogs, border patrol dogs and all other canines have made for our nation. So as we recognize K9s country-wide, now is the perfect time to introduce the Georgia World Congress Center Authority’s (GWCCA) first […]

Futbol fever returns to GWCCA’s championship campus

When fans arrive at Sunday’s home opener for the Atlanta United they will notice several new changes for the 2019 season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (MBS) on the Georgia World Congress Center Authority campus. The Five Stripes, who won the 2018 MLS Cup in the team’s second season of existence, welcome a new head coach in […]

Futbol fever returns to GWCCA's championship campus

Be our guest: GWCCA welcomes Signia by Hilton as hotel flagship

Imagine you’re downtown for the SEC Championship Game, and you’re gazing down at the magnificent Mercedes-Benz Stadium (MBS) and the rest of the picturesque Atlanta skyline from your 25th-floor hotel suite. After a dip in the infinity pool and a quick spa treatment, you head out to the SEC FanFare in Building C of the […]

GWCCA's Championship Campus: Super Bowl LIII by the numbers

It’s been two weeks since the day dubbed as “Mass Exodus Monday” when a record 101,999 passengers were screened at Atlanta’s airport on their way out of town after the Super Bowl. Widely hailed as a resounding success and further proof that Atlanta is the preeminent host city, Super Bowl LIII provided an opportunity for […]