Georgia World Congress Center

The Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) is a convention center in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. Enclosing 3.9 million ft2 (360,000 m2)[1][2] in exhibition space and hosting more than a million visitors each year, the GWCC is the world's largest LEED certified convention center and the fourth-largest convention center in the United States.[3] Opened in 1976, the GWCC was the first state-owned convention center established in the United States. The center is operated on behalf of the state by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, which was chartered in 1971 by Georgia General Assembly to develop an international trade and exhibition center in Atlanta. The authority later developed the Georgia Dome, Centennial Olympic Park, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which replaced the Georgia Dome. In 2017, the Georgia Dome was closed on March 5 and demolished by implosion on November 20 while Mercedes-Benz Stadium officially opened on August 26. While the GWCCA owns Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AMB Group, the parent organization for the National Football League's Atlanta Falcons and Major League Soccer's Atlanta United FC, is responsible for the stadium's operations.

In addition to convention and trade shows, the GWCC often coordinated with the Georgia Dome to host activities in conjunction with major events being held at the dome.

History

20th century

Opened in 1976, the George L. Smith II Georgia World Congress Center has become a cornerstone of Atlanta's downtown area. It stands as one of the largest convention centers in the United States, offering over 1.5 million square feet of exhibit space. The center has hosted numerous significant events, including major trade shows, conventions, and cultural gatherings, contributing substantially to Georgia's economy.

The Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta is officially named the George L. Smith II Georgia World Congress Center, in honor of his service as Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives. [6]

Designed by Atlanta-based architects tvsdesign, formerly Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates – TVS, GWCC opened in 1976 with 350000 sqft of exhibit space. Additional phases opened in 1985, 1992, and 2002. During the 1996 Summer Olympics, the GWCC hosted handball, fencing, judo, table tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, and the fencing and shooting portions of the modern pentathlon.[7][8] The International Broadcast Centre for the worldwide media was also set up inside the GWCC.

21st century

On November8, 2001, president George W. Bush made a speech at the GWCC in which he exhorted the crowd of police, firefighters, and politicians, saying, "My fellow Americans, let's roll!"[9] He was invoking the last words of Todd Beamer, a passenger on United Airlines Flight 93, one of the flights hijacked during the September 11 attacks, was one of the participants in an attempt to storm the cockpit and wrest control of the airplane from the hijackers.[10]

On March14, 2008, a tornado struck Atlanta, including the downtown area. The Georgia World Congress Center was heavily damaged by the storm, including roof and water damage. In addition to rain pouring in from the holes in the roof, there was also water damage from the sprinkler system and broken water pipes. The extent of the damage led to the cancellation of immediate events. After the disaster, a letter was posted on GWCC's website detailing the closure of the GWCC. However, the facility along with the nearby Georgia Dome was able to be repaired enough to host the FIRST Robotics World Championship during the dates of April18–20. The Georgia Dome and the Congress Center were also ready in time for the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) run by DECA, an association of marketing students from around the country.

address	285 Andrew Young Intl Blvd NW
location	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
owner	State of Georgia
opened	September 8, 1976
expanded	1985, 1992, 2002
public transit	Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority at SEC District at Peachtree Center
website	http://www.gwcc.com/

Georgia World Congress Center

Layout

History

20th century

21st century

Law enforcement

External links

References