Civil Municipal Magazine Aug 2023

73 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 COLLEGE PARK , GA The city doesn’t end there. It extends beyond the runway lights to envelop the Georgia International Convention Center, the second- largest convention center in the state, and a state-of-the-art arena that sprung to life in the fall of 2019. This blend of infrastructure offers a distinct versatility that few communities of its size can parallel. It’s a place where you can land an international flight in the morning, conduct a business meeting in the afternoon, and enjoy a live concert at night, all within a few square miles. The City’s Pulse: Georgia International Convention Center and Gateway Arena “College Park is home to the second-largest convention center in the state, the Georgia International Convention Center, boasting a 40,000 square foot ballroom. The entire building, an impressive 500,000 square foot structure, plays host to over 500 events per year,” explains Mercedes Miller, the center’s Executive Director. A colorful and varied array of happenings unfold here, from corporate events to sporting The ATL Airport District is a proud partner of the great city of College Park Find out more at ATLdistrict.com MAKING GREAT THINGS HAPPEN tournaments to hair shows, all contributing to the city’s unique character and vibrancy. Nearly a million people per year flood into this epicenter of activity, adding to the steady hum of College Park’s lively social scene. But the offerings are not just limited to the convention center. “We also have the Gateway Arena, a 90,000-square-foot entertainment hub. While it was forced into hibernation during the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s rebounding with gusto,” Miller says, outlining the events hosted there, which include the Dream Plays during basketball season, WNBA games, G-league games for the NBA, and concerts. These establishments do more than just add color and variety to the city. They serve as a powerful magnet for tourism, contributing to the high occupancy rates of the approximately 3,800 rooms within a five-mile radius. “Our occupancy rates run between 64% and 70%, one of the highest in the city,” says Miller. These institutions are integral parts of the Atlanta