About Atlanta
With a population of over half a million, Atlanta is one of the United States’ economic centers. It’s home to many large companies and has the busiest airport in the United States. The city’s history is rooted in the American Civil War and the civil rights movement.
The city attracts visitors from across the US and the world, who often stop here for a few days while transiting between two locations. Atlanta hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics and has many excellent venues both indoors and outdoors within the city. The city is the global headquarters for many of the world’s biggest brands, including Coca-Cola, The Home Depot, AT&T, and Chick-Fil-A. And, with over three-quarters of Fortune 1000 companies having operations in the area, Atlanta attracts a highly educated workforce.
There are many good reasons to host a trade show event in Atlanta. It's fantastic large buildings, pleasant year-round climate, and many attractions make it an ideal spot for hosting a trade show that will leave your guests happy and comfortable. And with an array of trade show services and venues, hosting a trade show in this city will make it easier for everyone.
Trade Show Venue Options in Atlanta
Hosting a trade show can be a huge undertaking, but in Atlanta, you’ll find hundreds of vendors here to help you every step of the way.
- Equipment Hire and Setup
If you are hosting a large trade show, you’ll no doubt need help setting up the floor plan and booths. This isn’t something you’ll want to tackle alone, so you’ll be relieved to know there are many great companies within Atlanta to help you during the planning and construction of your trade show venue.
- Transportation
Your trade show attendees will have no issue reaching the city and can easily catch a taxi to your venue. You’ll find Lyft and Uber readily available in Atlanta, making arriving at and leaving venues easier.
- Staffing Agencies
Trade shows often require additional staffing at the last minute to assist with registration and booths. You’ll find many temporary staffing agencies here that are used to staffing trade shows and corporate events.
- Printing Companies
If you need to create brochures or floor plans for your attendees, you’ll find excellent printing companies throughout Atlanta.
- Decorations
Most booths will need decorating for trade shows, and your welcome area will also need to be transformed to create a good first impression. Decorate your trade show venue in Atlanta with the help of one of their fantastic décor stores or companies.
Event Planning Companies in Atlanta
- Corporate Events Unlimited
As their name suggests, Corporate Events Unlimited focuses on hosting corporate events and gatherings for groups of any size. They offer a whole team of professional event planners to assist with your Atlanta trade show. And with over 40 years of experience in the business, they can guarantee they'll help you throw a trade show that's worth it.
- CCP Events
Since 1993, CCP Events have assisted with corporate events in the Atlanta area. They are used to hosting large corporate events and trade shows and can offer conference management and planning. Companies they’ve worked with in the past include Coca-Cola, Mercedes Benz, and Microsoft.
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Atlanta Special Events
Atlanta Special Events is an Atlanta-based event planning company can provide event décor, transport, live entertainment, venue selection, and catering that includes gourmet ice cream. They’ve worked with reputable clients including Home Depot, Hitachi Worldwide, and Morgan Stanley, and have been in business for over two decades.
Pros and Cons of Having a Trade Show in Atlanta
Advantages
- Transport Links
Trade shows attract guests from around the world to host stands, so they’ll easily find a direct flight into Atlanta’s busy airport.
- Business Hotels
The city offers many business hotels for your attendees and those hosting booths. They’ll have no issues finding somewhere to stay during your event.
- Large Venues
The city offers some great large venues for a trade show, which are reasonably priced for their size.
- Mild Winters
The winters in Atlanta are still pleasant for hosting an event in comparison to other cities in the US, which experience extremely cold winters.
- Catering
Atlanta offers fantastic catering companies who will be able to provide enough options for your trade show attendees.
Disadvantages
- Public Transportation
Public transportation throughout the city may be a challenge if you are hosting your trade show in a more remote location.
- Crowded
Atlanta is a busy city with hundreds of businesses, so depending on the size of your venue, you may find your event gets very crowded.
- Hot Summers
The hot summer months in the city are not ideal for hosting a trade show, and you’ll find it very difficult to keep attendees at your trade show for a long time during these months.
- Hundreds of Events
The city hosts hundreds of events, and you may find yourself in competition with other trade shows at the time of your event.
- Safety
If your trade show is in a venue outside of the city center, your guests may be wary about their safety if traveling during the evening hours.
Famous Locations for Trade Shows in Atlanta
Plan your Atlanta trade-show venue near one of these famous locations for an day of fun, even after your trade show event.
- Georgia Aquarium
Atlanta is home to the world’s largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium. You’ll see over 100,000 sea creatures in this venue, which include whale sharks and alligators. Head here after hosting an event at an empty warehouse off the Beltline, which can be transformed into a trade show venue.
- Atlanta Botanical Garden
This thirty-acre botanical garden is located in Midtown Atlanta near Piedmont Park. It was built in 1976 and aims to display plants for education and research. It’s the perfect spot to relax after a busy day at a trade show and will allow you to spend some time in nature.
- CNN Studio Tours
Atlanta is home to the headquarters of CNN, and you can enjoy touring their studio facilities. Within the building, you’ll find the newsrooms and studios for some of the main CNN news channels. The building is also home to various office spaces belonging to large international corporations.