Georgia World Congress Center Space Used to Educate, Entertain Local Community
August 6, 2014
Even though the Georgia World Congress Center is one of the country’s largest convention center venues with 1.3-plus million square feet of exhibit space, the building is used for much more than just hosting meetings, conventions and trade shows.
Through unique partnerships in the community, the venue not only has two education centers tucked into converted meeting room space, but also the College Football Hall of Fame will be opening in August on the venue’s campus.
For local students looking for a career in the trade show industry, the GWCC offers an invaluable opportunity through a partnership with the Georgia State School of Hospitality to have a Learning Center in the building.
At the Learning Center, which was opened in 2007 and is located in meeting rooms in the GWCC, students are close to all of the action taking place, as shows move in and out of the building.
“We wanted to put a classroom on the campus so they would have real-world experiences,” said Mark Zimmerman, GWCC’s general manager.
He added that the students often help out at the shows and event organizers also come to the classroom and lead sessions on what it takes to put a show together.
“It’s been a tremendous help,” said Debby Cannon, director of GSU’s School of Hospitality Robinson College of Business. “Show organizers can come right up from their shows.”
She added that the actual experience that the students get by being onsite at the GWCC is invaluable.
“They love it,” she added. “They are used to a more traditional academic classroom, but to be there in the thick of things and to see people coming and going gives them a better feel for reality.”
Besides GSU’s learning center, another meeting room area of the GWCC is used for the Junior Achievement's Chick-fil-A Foundation Discovery Center.
The Discovery Center is made up of meeting room space that has been converted into a ‘mini’ business town – JA BizTown and JA Finance Park - with companies including Belk, ING, Georgia Power and SunTrust, to name a few.
Each year, more than 30,000 6th thru 8th grade students have the opportunity to take part in programs held at the Discovery Center in which they take on the rolls of an employee, taxpayer and consumer.
During simulated assignments, students take on simulated roles from everything from being a cashier to being a CEO of a Fortune 500 company, as well as performing tasks such as depositing a check at the bank and made purchasing decisions for sales at their assigned company.
For more on JA Biztown and JA Finance Park click HERE.
Also located on the GWCC campus and opening Aug. 23 will be the College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan Experience.
Built in the GWCC’s Green Parking Lot area, the 94,000-square-foot centerpiece will feature historic and contemporary artifacts, interactive multimedia displays, children’s activities, theater, meeting facilities and special event spaces.
“It’s huge!” Zimmerman said. “They are expecting 500,000 people to visit (each year), and (they have) signed a 30-year agreement.”
For more on the College Football Hall of Fame click HERE.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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