Tuesday Talk: Joe Rogan, innovative projects, campus buzz

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.

SAY IT IS SO, JOE

Tickets went on sale last week – and quickly sold out – for comedian/podcaster/Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) commentator Joe Rogan’s stand-up comedy show set for April 12 at the Georgia World Congress Center’s (GWCC) Sidney Marcus Auditorium.

Rogan, who hosted the reality challenge show “Fear Factor” and before that appeared in various sitcoms such as “Hardball” and “NewsRadio,” has also made a name for himself in MMA circles, hosting “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show, as well as “Inside the UFC” and “UFC Wired,” and also providing color commentary for UFC bouts and his Joe Rogan Experience – Fight Companion podcast.

UFC 236, by the way, is scheduled for April 13 across the street from the GWCC at State Farm Arena.

RECOGNIZING INNOVATION

The Georgia World Congress Center, the nation’s fourth-largest convention center, is featured in a recent article by Meetings Today magazine identifying six innovative convention center projects in the U.S.

The article cites the GWCC’s current $55 million expansion project:
“The new 100,000-square-foot exhibit hall between buildings B and C will create more than 1 million square feet of contiguous exhibition space.”

The piece also explains that the new exhibit hall is part of the Authority’s master plan, known as 2020 Vision, which also includes the campus’ headquarter hotel, the recently announced Signia by Hilton, the iconic hotelier’s new events-and-meetings focused brand.

THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS

It’s another busy week at the No. 1 convention, sports and entertainment destination in the world.

Here’s a rundown:

• TMC 19 (Technology & Maintenance Council) Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition, which had a soft opening on Sunday, continues through Thursday (March 21) at the GWCC’s Building B. The show, touted as North America’s premier technical conference for the trucking industry, “is home to trucking’s leading fleet professionals, vehicle manufacturers, and component suppliers” according to its website. This is the second year of a three-year contract, so the event will return to the GWCC in 2020.
• And speaking of vehicles, the Atlanta International Auto Show returns to the GWCC, starting Wednesday (March 20) and running through Sunday (March 24). The largest consumer show hosted at the GWCC, the Auto Show features approximately 500,000 square feet of exhibit space in Exhibit Halls C1-4 with more than 500 new cars, SUVs, trucks, and mini-vans on display from more than two dozen manufacturers. The show also includes ride-and-drive events, High Roller BMX performing high-flying bicycle stunts Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and appearances by Marvel superhero Black Panther (Friday through Sunday), Scooby-Doo and Spongebob Squarepants (Saturday and Sunday). Atlanta Braves legend and Hall of Fame member Chipper Jones is slated for a meet-and-greet session 1-3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Caffeine & Octane display of classic, exotic and customized vehicles (no autographs). Auto Show admission is $12 for adults, $6 for ages 6-12, and free for ages five and younger. Tickets are cash only and only available at the show box office in Building C.
• Meanwhile, in Building A, it’s time again for the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting, opening Thursday (March 21) and closing Saturday (March 23). The annual event includes continuing education for all aspects of the dental industry, an array of guest speakers, social events, and technical exhibition. Thursday’s keynote speaker is former Buffalo Bills quarterback, Pro Football Hall of Fame member and oral cancer survivor Jim Kelly.
• The Georgia Bridal & Wedding Expo returns to the GWCC from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday (March 23) and Sunday (March 24) in Exhibit Hall B-1. Admission is $10 at the door, but free passes are available here: www.gabridalshows.com/free-pass.
• Also returning Friday, Saturday and Sunday (March 22-24), the Starpower International Talent Competition, a youth dance contest, takes place at the GWCC’s Georgia Ballroom in Building C.
• And as we reported in last week’s Tuesday Talk, a first-time event at Centennial Olympic Park is on tap Sunday (March 24) with the McDonald’s All-American Games Fan Fest, featuring performances by Lil Baby and Keri Hilson. The free event is from 2-6 p.m. Sunday.