Timeline

1970
An ad hoc committee was formed to study the feasibility of developing an international trade and exhibition center in Atlanta.

1971
The Georgia General Assembly passed legislation establishing the Georgia World Congress Center Board, later renamed the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, to develop the facility.

1974
On Oct. 30, groundbreaking ceremonies celebrated initial construction of the facility.

1976
The Georgia World Congress Center officially opened its first exhibition hall Sept. 8 as host to the Bobbin Show/American Apparel Manufacturers Association.

1977
Construction of Phase I was completed in mid-January with a total 750,000 square feet, 350,000 of which was exhibit space.

1981
The Georgia General Assembly authorized $83 million of general obligation bond funding to
construct a Phase II expansion. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held Sept. 17.

1985
The Georgia World Congress Center officially celebrated completion of the Phase II expansion project April 26, which added 1.1 million square feet.

1987
The Georgia General Assembly authorized funding for a Phase III Georgia World Congress Center expansion feasibility study and market analysis.

1988
Based on the feasibility study and market analysis, the Georgia General Assembly approved $5 million of general obligation bonds for land acquisition and design development for about 300,000 square feet of additional exhibition space. Legislative approval was granted for $13 million of general obligation bond funding for land acquisition for a 2,000-vehicle surface parking and truck marshaling facility.

Plans for 71,250-seat Georgia Dome announced for site adjacent to the Georgia World Congress Center.

1992
GWCC Phase III expansion is completed, which increased the facility's exhibit space to 950,000 square feet in eight exhibit halls.

The 71,250-seat Georgia Dome opens and becomes home of the Atlanta Falcons as well as major sporting events, concerts and special events.

1994
In March, the Georgia General Assembly approved $28 million to fund the Georgia International Plaza project, a 6-acre pedestrian plaza and 1,000-space parking deck.

1995
Construction begins on 21-acre Centennial Olympic Park - a gathering place for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Park.

1996
July 19 through Aug. 4, the Georgia World Congress Center, Georgia Dome and Centennial Olympic Park host nine Olympic-sporting events and the International Broadcast Center during the Centennial Olympic Games.

1998
The Georgia General Assembly approved $10.5 million for the planning and design phase of the fourth expansion of the Georgia World Congress Center. The expansion added an additional 420,000 square feet of exhibit space plus 35 meeting rooms, a second ballroom (25,700 square feet), a 3.6-acre landscaped plaza and a new entrance.

Centennial Olympic Park re-opened to the public as downtown Atlanta’s hot spot for concerts, corporate parties and other special events.

1999
In March, the 1999 Georgia General Assembly approved $220 million to fund construction of the Phase IV expansion of the GWCC.

2003
Grand opening ceremonies for completion of GWCC Building C bring the convention center to a total of 1.4 million square feet of prime exhibit space in 12 exhibit halls, 106 meeting rooms, 2 grand ballrooms, 3 fixed-seat auditoriums and 3 landscaped plazas.