Talking Points: Meetings & Events Hit a Home Run at Truist Park

A conversation with Dawn Truemper of the Atlanta Braves

Atlanta native Dawn Truemper has been a lifelong fan of Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Atlanta Braves; now, she is a member of the staff. “It is fun to work for the organization I have respected my whole life,” she says.

Before joining the Braves staff five years ago, Truemper had a successful career in hospitality. Much of her experience was in hotel sales and marketing, representing Starwood Hotels and Resorts’ Westin and St. Regis brands in Atlanta and the Southeast. During her time with Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Truemper managed teams in group sales, catering, public relations, and marketing, and helped open two hotels from the ground up.

“Five years ago, the opportunity to create a non-gameday sales effort for the Braves was presented to me and I jumped at the chance,” Truemper says. “As an Atlanta native and lifelong Braves fan, I am excited to represent my home team. Plus, Truist Park is such a unique venue.”

In addition to serving as the home field for the Braves, Truist Park hosts approximately 150 non-gameday events annually. As vice president of Truist Park meetings and events, Truemper oversees the event sales and services, tours and historian divisions. “My team is responsible for providing an exceptional experience on non-gamedays,” she explains.

Here, Truemper shares how she and her team work together to establish Truist Park as a year-round venue for hosting meetings, conventions, trade shows, and other special events.

 

What makes Truist Park a great location for meetings and events?

Truist Park offers 20 indoor event spaces, totaling 80,000 square
feet, in addition to opportunities for on-field events and experiences.
We are located within The Battery Atlanta, which is a premier entertainment destination with full-service hotels, restaurants, bars,
and other entertainment venues all within walking distance of Truist Park ballpark. Our campus offers all the experiences and amenities groups and guests may need.

 

Why should planners consider Truist Park over traditional meeting and event venues?

Truist Park provides an exceptional service experience and a unique location. Planners tell us they typically see a 15- to 20-percent increase in attendance when they host events here.

 

How can planners take advantage of Truist Park’s event venues, exclusive team areas, suites, and dining options to create a
one-of-a-kind event experience for attendees?

We can customize offerings and spaces based on the type of event that planners are looking for and leverage all of our spaces—on and off the field—to create a one-of-a-kind experience. For example, we recently hosted an event that truly epitomizes our ability to activate all elements of the ballpark. Our Premium Club was the primary space for the general session, and our Conference Center was used for breakouts. We placed the group’s tabletop exhibits on the ballpark’s concourses overlooking the field. We used the Warning Track for the closing reception and staged the dugouts for photo ops. We capped off the event with fireworks over the stadium.

 

What unique Braves-themed teambuilding and other activities are available to meeting and event groups?

One of my favorite teambuilding programs we offer is “Braves 101.” Meeting attendees interact with Braves alumni while receiving instruction at different stations on the field and in the bullpen, learning basic skills of how to bat, how to field a pop-fly, and how to pitch. We also offer a fun ballpark scavenger hunt.

 

MLB recently announced its new “More Than a Ballpark” campaign aimed at attracting meetings and groups to baseball stadiums. How does the Atlanta Braves market to meeting and event planners?

Our sales team attends industry events to connect with planners. We also work closely with our hotel, convention center, and convention and visitors bureau counterparts.

What is the planning process for meetings and events at Truist Park?

We have worked very hard to make it easy for planners. With my team and catering and audiovisual partners all on site, we offer a cohesive team of professionals to support events. We also all enjoy working together, making event planning smooth and seamless.

 

What would you want to share about Truist Park and the Atlanta Braves as a meeting and event venue/partner that might surprise and resonate with planners?

When some planners think of hosting an event at a ballpark, they might assume the food options are limited to ballpark classics. While we can include ballpark classics, our catering partner provides an outstanding dining experience and service. We offer full-service banquet capabilities, just like a hotel or conference center. We can provide everything from a lunch buffet to an elaborate reception, or an extravagant five-course formal wine dinner. We can also get creative and add fun Braves-themed elements.