Tuesday Talk: Big rigs, MLS playoffs and Halloween treats
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.
With gleaming new big rigs lined up out front on Andrew Young International Blvd., it can only mean one thing: the North American Commercial Vehicle (NACV) Show is back for a second go-round at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) with a show floor that has nearly doubled since its 2017 debut.
The biennial business-to-business expo for the trucking industry kicked off Monday (Oct. 28) and features 500 exhibitors, 530,000 square feet of exhibition space and expanded educational programming, compared to 439 exhibitors and 370,000 square feet of exhibit space in 2017.
The show is utilizing exhibit halls in both Building A and Building B, packed with shiny new freighters, commercial vans, delivery trucks, utility trucks and aisle after aisle of booths featuring components, parts, accessories and the industry’s cutting-edge tech items – it’s like a trucking superstore.
NACV, which continues through Thursday (Oct. 31), is designed to connect the trucking industry’s leaders, decision-makers, fleet owners and managers directly with vendors demonstrating and selling their latest product lines before they hit the market.
“While you walk the show floors you will have the opportunity to experience new technologies – the latest and the greatest,” wrote Chris Spear of the American Trucking Associations in a letter to NACV attendees. “You’ll see parts, components, and trucks on the show floor and have an opportunity to get a firsthand feel for some of the industry’s emerging gadgets.”
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
Atlanta United’s quest for a second straight league championship continues Wednesday (Oct. 30) as the Five Stripes host Toronto FC in the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Final at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on the GWCCA campus. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. For tickets, click here.
Need an economical way to celebrate Halloween? Then check out the free Fall-O-Ween Pop-up set for 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 31) at The Home Depot Backyard on the GWCCA campus. The event includes trunk-or-treating, a costume contest, face painting, horse and pony rides, arts and crafts, petting zoo and appearances by Freddie Falcon and the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders. The event is free, but tickets are required. Click here for tickets.
Fulton County Schools’ Legacy of Excellence Awards returns to the GWCC on Friday (Nov. 1) at the Georgia Ballroom. The event recognizes outstanding teachers, administrators and school professionals from each individual school in the Fulton County district. The program is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
On Saturday (Nov. 2), it’s DeKalb County Schools’ turn. The DeKalb district will host its annual Academy of Education Excellence Awards banquet inside the Georgia Ballroom as well, in the GWCC’s Building C. The event recognizes DeKalb County’s teachers of the year. The program starts at 6 p.m.
Meanwhile, across the street at good neighbor State Farm Arena, there’s a mix of concerts and hoops this week. First up, the Atlanta Hawks take on the division rival Miami Heat on Thursday (Oct. 31) at 7 p.m. Sir Elton John brings his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour back to the arena for a two-night stand, Friday (Nov. 1) and Saturday (Nov. 2). Both shows are at 8 p.m. And on Sunday (Nov. 3), Latin music’s “King of Trap,” rapper-songwriter Bad Bunny returns. Showtime is at 7 p.m. Tickets for State Farm Arena
