Georgia World Congress Center Authority Busy One Year After Tornado

ATLANTA, GA (March 13, 2009) – One year after an F2 tornado hit downtown Atlanta, the Georgia World Congress Center Authority is busy with activity. The Georgia World Congress Center hosted a job fair for the Georgia Department of Labor earlier in the week; the Atlanta Journal-Constitution International Auto Show begins Saturday morning; the Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament takes place at the Georgia Dome all weekend and Centennial Olympic Park is preparing to kick-off a season full of activities.

The storm caused over $75 million in damage to the campus, which includes the Georgia World Congress Center, Georgia Dome and Centennial Olympic Park. Despite the damage caused by the storm, the facilities’ management was particularly grateful that everyone visiting the Authority was safe.

“We are so thankful no one was hurt on our campus,” said Executive Director Dan Graveline. “As we walked through our facilities later that night trying to assess the damage, it quickly became clear we were up against perhaps the greatest challenge we had ever faced.”

The situation exemplified the teamwork found in Atlanta as the remainder of the SEC Basketball tournament was moved to Georgia Tech the next morning. A new location for The Big South National Qualifier, which was scheduled for March 21-23, had to be found, and with help from the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau the event was able to remain in Atlanta and was split into seven venues throughout the city.  

Dedication and perseverance paid off. On March 23, the Georgia Dome was able to reopen in time to welcome 30,000 parishioners to the annual New Birth Missionary Baptist Church’s Easter Service, and the Park hosted the ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon on March 29. The two-day ING Georgia Marathon Health & Fitness Expo, which was scheduled to take place in the GWCC, was relocated to the Georgia Dome.

Through creative rearrangement of events, National Propane Gas Association’s Southeastern Convention & International Propane Expo and the International Window Coverings Expo were able to hold their events at the Georgia World Congress Center and started move-in a mere 10 days after the tornado hit. Just 42 days after the tornado, all three buildings of the Georgia World Congress Center were open for business. Repairs have been ongoing over the course of the last year, taking place during times that would not interfere with event schedules.

With a few finishing touches remaining, the Georgia World Congress Center is almost complete with repairs from the tornado. All that remains is replacing a few more windows, finishing roof replacements and carpet installation in a few small areas. A year after the tornado hit downtown Atlanta, the Georgia World Congress Center Authority remains one of the top economic impact drivers to the city and state.