ATLANTA (Feb. 12, 2003) - Last weekend, the Georgia World Congress Center and the Georgia Dome illustrated the unique ability to serve as host to three very diverse events during a busy weekend in downtown Atlanta. From the fun-filled, interactive NBA All-Star Jam Session to a bull riding competition to Atlanta's largest flower show, the Georgia World Congress Center Authority hosted close to 200,000 people during NBA All-Star Weekend.

Basketball fans of all ages experienced the exciting and inviting pre-game activities leading up to Sunday's NBA All-Star Game and broke attendance records at the NBA All-Star Jam Session. The Georgia World Congress Center hosted the 10th annual event, and a record-breaking 125,000 people attended over the course of four days. The All-Star Jam Session featured a wide variety of interactive basketball games and related special events.

The 2003 Southeastern Flower Show relocated into the Georgia World Congress Center this year and enjoyed a successful growth spurt during its five-day run. Nearly 40,000 gardening and horticulture enthusiasts visited the 2003 Southeastern Flower Show in its new downtown location. With proceeds benefiting the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, this year's show was a major success for metropolitan Atlanta.

Also in town last weekend was the Professional Bull Riders Atlanta Classic at the Georgia Dome. This event, which marked its first time ever in Atlanta, drew an estimated 30,000 bull riding fans downtown, almost 10,000 more than expected, breaking its single-day record for attendance. The Atlanta Classic presented the world's top 45 bull riders competing against the world's rankest bulls. "We are very pleased that PBR was a success. With partners like you the success is even more satisfying - we are very glad you were a part of it. Thanks in particular to your capable and caring staff," stated Eric Cole, Clear Channel Motor Sports.

"The staff of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, from event services to building services to security, 'planned the work and then worked the plan' during one of Atlanta's busiest weekends since the 2000 Super Bowl. On Saturday alone, the campus exceeded 115,000 fans of basketball, bulls, flowers and some enthusiasts of all three events. Any challenges associated with hosting three events simultaneously were met and exceeded with the customers good time in mind," stated John Smith, general manager of the Georgia World Congress Center.