Hartsfield Airport is not the busiest airport in the world solely because of connection flights – never mind the old joke about not being able to get to a certain destination without passing through Atlanta first. Atlanta is also a magnet for tourism and, increasingly, business travel. Whether its Atlanta or Savannah, or more quiet settings like the Georgia mountains or Lake Blackshear, the state is one of the top in the country for hosting meetings and conventions from small companies to huge associations.
“Professional meetings and events mean business in Georgia, delivering benefits that extend far beyond the event itself,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Chief Marketing Officer Mark Jaronski. “This essential segment of travel drives visitor spending, supports thousands of jobs, and creates opportunities for small businesses across the state, further strengthening Georgia’s position as a premier destination for business and leisure.”
According to recent data, business and convention travel had a $4.3 billion direct spending impact for the state’s tourism industry in 2023. More than 16 million visitors contributed to the record-breaking year. From hotels to food and beverage, retail and transportation, business travel is an often-overlooked piece of the tourism industry. By its very definition, the travelers in this segment are working adults – likely with some money to spend, or perhaps a per diem to use.
A number of new or expanded venues are helping to increase the segment, such as the Savannah Convention Center, which is also celebrating its 25th anniversary. The new expansion doubled the Convention Center’s size, now featuring 200,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 40,000 square foot ballroom – in addition to the already-existing 25,000 square foot ballroom, and 900 new parking spaces are helping to roll out the red carpet for visitors to the Hostess City of the South.
The Boathouse at Lake Lanier Olympic Park in Gainesville has also recently expanded, now offering 18,000 square feet of meeting space, with boardrooms, a covered terrace and a veranda overlooking Lake Lanier. The mountains in the western portion of the state also offer a peaceful space for events. The Cloudland at McLemore Resort in Rising Fawn sits atop Lookout Mountain, with 20,000 square feet of space and 245 rooms, with golf, a year-round infinity pool and spa. The new golf course The Keep, features 18 holes at the edge of Lookout Mountain, overlooking the gorgeous valleys below.
“Georgia’s group business sector is reaching new heights thanks to the incredible developments and collective efforts of our state tourism industry,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Statewide Tourism Director Jay Markwalter. “Meetings and conventions fuel Georgia’s economic engine by attracting visitors who stay in our hotels, dine at our restaurants, shop at local businesses, and spread the word about all Georgia has to offer.”
