Central Georgia
VisitAthensGA.com; @VisitAthensGA
Athens combines 2,660 guest rooms with a downtown meeting district adjacent to the University of Georgia (UGA).
“Athens is the kind of place where attendees can spend the day in meetings and the evening exploring a nationally recognized music scene, independent restaurants, local shops, and the energy of a classic college town—all without needing a car,” says Elyse Worthey-Harris, director of sales and destination services for Visit Athens GA.
The Classic Center campus serves as the city’s meetings hub, offering more than 118,604 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, plus substantial pre-function areas. Its inventory includes the 22,000-square-foot Foundry Pavilion, which accommodates banquets for 1,100, and the newly renovated 18,000-square-foot Athena Ballroom, with a reception capacity of 1,900 and a banquet capacity of 1,000. The 8,400-square-foot Atrium can host 500 for receptions and 300 for banquets. The Classic Center Theatre seats 2,122, while Akins Ford Arena accommodates up to 8,000 for sports events, concerts, and general sessions. The arena is also home to the Georgia Music Collections, offering groups another connection to Athens’ musical legacy.
Hotel options include the 190-room Hyatt Place Athens/Downtown, with nearly 4,000 square feet of function space; the renovated 182-room Courtyard by Marriott Athens Downtown, with 3,918 square feet; the 130-room Hotel Indigo Athens Downtown; and the 50-room Rivet House.
Visit Athens GA offers complimentary planning support, including Passkey online housing for eligible conferences, customized welcome experiences, and contract facilitation. Local add-ons range from backstage music tours and culinary sessions at Athens Cooks or Condor Chocolates to the University of Georgia Challenge Course. College Square’s pedestrian plaza also gives groups a new gathering point between downtown and UGA’s North Campus.
“Athens offers meeting planners the facilities they need and attendees the experiences that make a destination memorable,” Worthey-Harris says.
