ATLANTA (Feb. 25) The Georgia World Congress Center recently launched a new program that brings convention attendees one step closer to the show floor. The Atlanta convention center instituted a courtesy shuttle system that brings attendees to and from the 4,000+ parking spaces on campus.

The courtesy shuttle system consists of two 15-seat shuttles, custom-wrapped with images of the Congress Center, the Georgia Dome and Centennial Olympic Park. Shuttles begin routes one hour before a show opens and make continuous stops in 15-minute increments until one hour after a show ends.

The shuttles ran for the first time in conjunction with the 2004 International Poultry Exposition, the world's largest trade show for the poultry and egg industry, held Jan. 28-30. "With a trade show as large as ours, it's impossible for everyone to park at the 'front door' of the Georgia World Congress Center," said Don Dalton, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association president. "After an exhausting day on the show floor, our attendees were thankful for a free ride back to their cars in the adjoining lots. I commend the GWCC for making the shuttle available. It's a great service for attendees!"

Since its inaugural run, more than 1,000 attendees have used the GWCC courtesy shuttle service at conventions, corporate events, consumer shows and meetings held at the Georgia World Congress Center.