Metro Atlanta
ExploreGwinnett.org; @ExploreGwinnett—Duluth’s Gas South District features the newly renovated and expanded Gas South Convention Center, which boasts more than 90,000 square feet of reconfigurable exhibit space to host 8,500 for receptions and 4,310 for banquets. The convention center also has a 21,600-square-foot ballroom for up to 1,000 banquet guests and 2,000 for receptions. Recent enhancements include new outdoor plazas and a food hall.
Neighboring Gas South Arena accommodates a capacity of 13,000 and is flexible for various layouts, including theater-style seating for up to 3,500 and configurations for conventions and trade shows of 10,000 people. The arena also has 30 corporate suites, party suites, club-level seats, and a spacious concourse. A third venue option, Gas South Theater, seats 708 people and features a removable orchestra shell and a high-tech house speaker system.
The 348-room Westin Atlanta Gwinnett, which opened earlier this year and connects to the convention center, contains 28,029 square feet of event space for up to 1,162 people. The hotel’s Overstory Rooftop Bar has 12,000 square feet of space, outdoor fire pits, and outstanding city views. The 300-room Sonesta Gwinnett Place Atlanta has 20,000 square feet of event space for a capacity of 800 people, and the 271-room Hilton Atlanta Northeast Hotel can host up to 1,000 people in its largest space.
The Forum Peachtree Corners outdoor mall recently unveiled a new plaza for live music performances, festivals, and other events. Opening later this year, The Forum’s new Politan Row is a 10,000-square-foot chef-driven food hall featuring an outdoor patio and a mix of seven independent food and beverage concepts.
“Gwinnett County also offers a thrivingcraft beer scene with several breweries. We even offer beer tours on the second Saturday each month,” says Lisa Anders, executive director for Explore Gwinnett. “We also have a huge international food scene, where foodies can travel the world without leaving Gwinnett County.”
International fare favorites include handmade tortillas at Pupuseria Kings Cafe in Norcross and award-winning Szechuan cuisine at Masterpiece in Duluth.
