Prevue: What trends are you seeing in the affordable meetings space?
Schneider: Through our work helping planners elevate meetings in the ATL Airport District, we’ve seen a growing interest in cost-effective connectivity options. An example is how planners utilize the proximity of the Gateway Center Convention Campus, home to the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC). The GICC is adjoined to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport by the ATL SkyTrain, which offers free rides between the two 24/7. Another trend is the rise in local business collaboration. We’ve helped planners partner with local establishments, such as catering companies, transportation services, and swag vendors, to help them save money and support the community.
How do you create an affordable event that will wow attendees?Helping planners pull off wow-worthy experiences for their attendees is our specialty. We start by getting familiar with their needs and the type of gathering. We then put organizers in touch with budget-friendly suppliers and service providers in the District who can assist them. From there, we work with planners and partners to help add resourceful touches of creativity to maximize budgets and memorability. This can be as simple as focusing on a specific theme or as detailed as thoughtfully incorporating aspects of our destination into the meeting—cultural elements, corporate social responsibility initiatives, or local entertainment options.
How can you best incorporate sustainable practices into a value-conscious experience?One of the best methods for lowering a meetings’ carbon footprint is making it convenient for attendees to ditch their cars. Those flying into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport can hop on the free ATL SkyTrain to get from baggage claim to the walkable Gateway Center Campus in just two minutes. In addition to this free and easy access to the hotels & convention center located on campus, all our other nearby hotels offer free shuttle service, making a stop at the rental car desk unnecessary. Attendees venturing into downtown Atlanta will appreciate skipping the interstate traffic jams by using the affordable MARTA train system—the District has stations at the airport and in College Park. Our destination’s priority for making a visitor’s experience as walkable and accessible as possible also helps with costs and consciousness.