(ATLANTA - November 1, 2004) After more than thirty years of dedicated service to the State of Georgia, John Smith, general manager of the Georgia World Congress Center, has retired from the Atlanta convention center.

Since 1989, John Smith has served as the general manager of the Georgia World Congress Center, the nation’s fourth largest convention center. During his tenure with the Georgia World Congress Center, he assisted in the development of the three major expansions of the center, as well as the construction of the Georgia Dome and Centennial Olympic Park. Smith assisted in the production of several major events including the 1988 Democratic National Convention, the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, two Super Bowls and numerous conventions, trade shows and special events.

“John’s leadership has certainly brought us great success,” said Dan Graveline, GWCCA Executive Director. “We hate to see him leave the organization, but congratulate him on his retirement and continued success as an educator.” Smith will continue his career as an adjunct professor at Georgia State University’s Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration.

Smith graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology and pursued a career in civil engineering. He served in the United States Army as a First Lieutenant, Field Artillery. During three years in the Army, which included a tour of duty in Vietnam, he was awarded the Bronze Star and two Army Commendation Medals. Following military service, he held various engineering positions with Armco Steel Corporation and the State of Georgia as Director of Facilities Development in the Department of Corrections. In 1981, he was chosen to assist in the development of the first expansion of the Georgia World Congress Center and upon completion, was appointed to the position of Assistant Director, beginning a new career in the meetings and convention industry.

John Smith has been an active member of several professional associations to include PCMA, IAEM and IAAM. Within the International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM), Smith served in many capacities beginning with the Convention Centers Committee and International Crowd Management Conference. He served two terms on the IAAM Board of Directors as Director-at-Large Convention Centers in the early nineties and then was elected 2nd Vice President in 1996 serving then on the Board from 1997 through 2000. In 1999, Smith served as president of IAAM and guided the association through major changes in its membership structure and long-range strategic planning. In 2002, Smith was approved as a commissioner on APEX representing the interests of IAAM and convention venues. In 2004, Smith received the Certified Facilities Executive (CFE) designation, recognizing his excellence as a manager of a public assembly facility.

John and his wife, Sharlene, reside in Atlanta and have three children and have five, soon to be six, grandchildren.