Georgia World Congress Center – Georgia World Congress Center Authority

What Atlanta Does Best: A GWCC Insider’s Look

In this episode of The Authoricast, we’re serving up a lively conversation with Kim Allison, VP of Convention Sales for Georgia World Congress Center Authority, and Charlene Lopez, Vice President and Chief Sales Officer of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau. From their favorite things about Georgia World Congress Center to what makes Atlanta a […]

Atlanta’s Olympic Journey: From Bid to Legacy

In this episode of The Authoricast, we dive into The Games in Black and White, a new documentary that tells the inspiring story behind Atlanta’s successful bid for the 1996 Olympic Games. Filmmakers George Hirthler and Alahna Lark explore the powerful partnership between Andrew Young and Billy Payne, framing it as a symbol of unity […]

From the Gulch to Greatness: The Vision for Centennial Yards

In this episode of The Authoricast, Austin sits down with Brian McGowan, president of Centennial Yards, to discuss the massive transformation happening right across from the Georgia World Congress Center. Brian shares the vision behind this 50-acre mixed-use development, its origins, and how it will reshape the downtown Atlanta experience. From new apartments and hotels […]

From Major Events to Major Growth

2025 kicked off with major events back-to-back at GWCCA, setting the stage for an exciting year, and years, ahead. In this episode of The Authoricast, Joe Bocherer, Chief Commercial Officer, shares insights into the planning and execution that keep GWCCA at the forefront of the industry. From large-scale events to the creation of an entertainment […]

Driving Georgia’s Growth: GWCCA’s Role as a State Agency

In this episode of The Authoricast, Austin sits down with Lindsay Strickland, GWCCA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, to explore the vital connection between Georgia World Congress Center Authority and the state of Georgia. We discuss how GWCC operates as a state asset, secures funding for transformative projects, collaborates with legislators, and powers an economic […]

Dallas Safari Club: Beyond the Hunt, Inspiring Conservation and Community

In this episode, we take a look at the Dallas Safari Club and the incredible work they do beyond hosting one of the world’s premier outdoor conventions. From supporting global wildlife conservation efforts to fostering education and community impact, DSC is committed to making a difference. Tune in to our interview with Khris Harris, DSC’s […]

Driving economic growth (and enjoying the ride!)

At Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA), our mission is clear: drive economic growth that benefits the citizens of Georgia and enhances their quality of life. As a key driver for Georgia’s economy, the Authority achieves this through a variety of ways, including serving as a catalyst for development, tourism, commercial and residential growth, and a major job creator […]

Kevin Duvall named new CEO of Georgia World Congress Center Authority

For more than 50 years, Georgia World Congress Center Authority has produced the boldest of leaders. This week, that tradition continues. We are proud to announce that Kevin Duvall, our own long-standing Chief Operating Officer, has been selected as CEO. Remarkably, he is just the third here to hold that title. Duvall will replace visionary […]

The Service That Is Felt but Not Necessarily Seen: Housekeeping

This week on The Authoricast we continue our dive into the Signia by Hilton Atlanta at Georgia World Congress Center as we take a look at housekeeping, “the service that is felt but not necessarily seen.” Director of Housekeeping Allison Winter sat down to chat before the hotel opened in January to discuss all that […]

Georgia Through and Through- Interior Design of Signia by Hilton Atlanta

This week on The Authoricast we continue our dive into the Signia by Hilton Atlanta at Georgia World Congress Center as we learn about the interior design of this new jewel of Atlanta, and we talk about how the city, and state of Georgia, play such a huge role in the stylings of this new […]

Making HERstory 2024 an Impactful Experience for Attendees

The last Wednesday in March has become synonymous with Making HERstory Day at Georgia World Congress Center. GWCCA hosted its 2nd Annual Making HERstory event on March 27, 2024, where attendees gathered in Georgia World Congress Center Building C. They were greeted by a variety of local vendors as well snacks […]

Introducing Club Signia

This week on The Authoricast we continue our dive into the Signia by Hilton Atlanta at Georgia World Congress Center as we get to know about Club Signia. What is it? It is an “exclusive experience that elevates the game.” This week, we sit down with Signia Brand Leader Teddy Berlin to talk about what […]

Georgia World Congress Center Authority to honor women leaders during 2nd Annual Making HERstory event in celebration of Women’s History Month

Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) announced the return of its highly anticipated event, the 2nd Annual Making HERstory, in celebration of Women’s History Month. Scheduled for March 27, 2024, from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm ET at Auditorium C101 of the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC), Making HERstory aims to honor the achievements of […]

Dynamic Spaces for Any Event at Signia by Hilton Atlanta

This week on The Authoricast we continue our dive into the Signia by Hilton Atlanta at Georgia World Congress Center as we get to know about some of the meeting and event spaces. This new hotel offers over 100,000 square feet of event space for any and all gatherings. Director of Sales and Marketing Kyle […]

Food and Beverage at Signia by Hilton Atlanta 2: Get to Know the Chefs

This week on The Authoricast we continue our dive into the Signia by Hilton Atlanta at Georgia World Congress Center as we get to know some of the folks behind the food and beverage offerings, the chefs! Austin sits down with Executive Chef Christian Quinones, Executive Pastry Chef Daniella Lea Rada, Jeuel Ortiz, and Daniel […]

Exploring the Signia by Hilton Brand

This week on The Authoricast we continue our dive into the Signia by Hilton Atlanta at Georgia World Congress Center as we discuss the Signia brand. Signia by Hilton is a new brand from the hospitality giant, and the flagship location is right here at Georgia World Congress Center Authority’s Championship Campus. On this episode, […]

How Signia by Hilton Atlanta at Georgia World Congress Center Came To Be

This season on The Authoricast, we’re doing things a little bit differently. Join us as we dive into the newest addition to Georgia World Congress Center’s Championship Campus: Signia by Hilton Atlanta. This week, we are discussing how this new hotel came to be, why Georgia World Congress Center was the perfect location, and how it weaves itself into the fabric of Atlanta.

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 […]

DECA International Career Development Conference: Volunteers Needed

On April 23-25 nearly 25,000 high school students will compete at DECA International Career Development Conference hosted at Georgia World Congress Center. The Authoricast is joined by Frank Peterson and Whitney Milbourne to discuss the event and how the Atlanta business community can get involved.

Tuesday Talk: Holiday party booking tips, Greenbuild Expo, and COP’s International Winter Wonderland

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. You’re in charge of the office holiday party planning committee, and the theme is lined up, date narrowed down, entertainment booked, but oops – it’s almost Thanksgiving and […]

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 […]

GWCCA’s new hillside urban garden connects and protects pollinators

Campus Horticulturalist Steve Ware has to fight his basic landscaping instincts when it comes to the Georgia World Congress Center Authority’s (GWCCA) new urban pocket garden. Installed on a steep grade off of Ivan Allen Jr., Blvd. in an area known affectionally as “Goat Hill,” Ware’s latest campus horticulture venture is designed to sustain native […]

Imagine a day without water on the GWCCA campus?

H20 doesn’t necessarily come to mind when you think about the Georgia World Congress Center Authority’s (GWCCA) sprawling 220-acre downtown Atlanta campus. Yet, water plays an important day-to-day role, from operations to aesthetics to the guest experience. For instance, what would Centennial Olympic Park be without its iconic Fountain of Rings which provides hours of […]

Tuesday Talk: Sweetwater 420 Fest artists revealed, Cool Globes surround coolest stadium

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. Sweetwater 420 Fest is coming back to Centennial Olympic Park in 2020 with a double-dose of Phish frontman Trey Anastasio. Anastasio will perform at the three-day event with […]

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

Atlanta Comic Con has GWCCA team dreaming of superpowers

With Atlanta Comic Con back again at the Georgia World Congress Center today (July 12) through Sunday (July 14) we asked Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) team members the million-dollar question: if you had a superpower, what would it be, and why? Clarke Kelly, GWCCA Event Coordinator for Atlanta Comic Con kicks off this […]

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

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 […]

Final Four 2020: GWCCA’s championship campus readies for another shining moment

Not only is the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four crowning the Division I champion on Atlanta’s championship campus in 2020, but the men’s Division II and Division III championships will be played here, too. It’s a feat that’s only been pulled off once before – back in 2013, and that was also in Atlanta. In […]

Final Four 2020: GWCCA's championship campus readies for another shining moment

Tuesday Talk: GWCC expansion project marks topping off milestone

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. Celebrating a milestone in the construction of the Georgia World Congress Center’s (GWCC) $55 million expansion exhibit hall, various stakeholders in the project gathered last Thursday (April 18) […]

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 […]

Shop 'til you drop at NFL Shop(s) on GWCCA campus

Admit it, you’ve always wanted a Build-A-Bear stuffed animal sporting your favorite NFL team’s colors and logo. Football fans can customize their own Super Bowl/NFL-themed Build-A-Bear Workshop creations, and fill shopping bags with the largest selection of exclusive Super Bowl merchandise available anywhere, at the NFL Shop at Super Bowl at the Georgia World Congress […]

Shop ’til you drop at NFL Shop(s) on GWCCA campus

Five questions with the Authority’s first-ever emergency preparedness manager

On a shelf overlooking Marc Vincent’s desk, there’s a row of hats emblazoned with the insignias of GEMA, NYPD, the 1996 Summer Olympics Police, Lenco Bearcat armored vehicles and the latest – GWCCA Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Vincent, who was appointed last October as the Georgia World Congress Center Authority’s first-ever Emergency Preparedness Manager, […]

Five questions with the Authority's first-ever emergency preparedness manager

Bronner Bros. crowns its first female barbering champion

The biannual Bronner Bros. International Beauty Show is a major staple on the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) campus and the event’s fantasy hair competitions feature the best of the best putting their creativity to the test as they battle for the top spot. As always, the show – which wrapped up its summer […]

Pla Mor Pigskin: College Football Hall of Fame rebrands

Chick-fil-A is making sure that downtown Atlanta remains the epicenter of college football. The definitive interactive museum dedicated to collegiate gridiron glory has rebranded as the Chick- fil-A College Football Hall of Fame (CFHOF), a partnership symbolically christened today during a ceremony unveiling new signage featuring the fast food giant’s iconic red-and-white-logo. Officials from the […]

Tips for navigating graduation day at the GWCCA campus

It’s caps, gowns, tassels and diplomas time once again as the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) is hosting a slate of local high school graduation ceremonies, kicking off with Tri-Cities High School’s program on Friday (May 18). Congratulations to you and your graduate. This day is not only for them, but for you as […]

GWCCA Corporate Social Responsibility Manager discusses resiliency in the hospitality industry

After years of notoriety, many hospitality ventures have embraced the focus of environmental sustainability. In fact, some are even considered leaders in the movement to combat climate change by engaging stakeholders through education, building certifications, and transparent reporting. With new and unprecedented global volatility and interconnectedness, the marketplace has required a shift to planning for […]

From doghouses to Habitat houses, Coverings '18 makes charitable connections at GWCC

Move over Snoopy, you’re not the only pup with a tricked-out doghouse. Charlie Brown’s infamous pooch often decorated the gable roof of his iconic red abode to match the season, and it also served as an imaginary Sopwith Camel fighter plane during Snoopy’s World War I Flying Ace fantasies. But he never had a customized […]

From doghouses to Habitat houses, Coverings ’18 makes charitable connections at GWCC

New cycling event showcases Atlanta and GWCCA's increasing connectivity

It’s no secret that Atlanta has become more bicycle-friendly in the last two decades with bike lanes installed on major thoroughfares, a network of cycling infrastructure built or in the works and bike-share outposts cropping up across town. “These improvements to the bike network are important because they highlight the city’s commitment to improving citizens’ […]

New cycling event showcases Atlanta and GWCCA’s increasing connectivity

Reimagined employee cafe reflects Earth Month and GWCCA values

Last week, the Authority held the grand opening of our new team member dining experience, Bridge Point, in an area of the Georgia World Congress Center not seen by the general public. Bridge Point is a project I’ve been involved with for more than two years. Its predecessor, the Getaway Café, had become dated since […]

GWCCA Chief Commercial Officer discusses creating exceptional city-wide customer service

Customer service means delivering on every possible detail at every customer and guest touchpoint. It is anticipating needs, needs that a client or guest may not realize they have. Customer service is about making someone feel good, putting a smile on their face, and leaving them not wanting anything more – it is hospitality in […]