Georgia World Congress Center Authority history

Designed by Atlanta-based architects tvsdesign (formerly Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates – TVS), the GWCC opened in 1976 with 350,000 square feet (33,000 m) of exhibit space.

Aerial View of Georgia World Congress Center Unidentified photographer, Atlanta, March 1989 Georgia Amateur Athletic Foundation Collection, Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center

In 1990, the International Olympic Committee chose Atlanta over five other cities.

Completed in three years, the $214 million, 71,996-seat Georgia Dome opened in August 1992 as the world’s largest cable-supported domed stadium, serving as the home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons for 25 seasons.

Land Just to the South of the Future Centennial Olympic Park L to R: Georgia Dome, Omni Coliseum, Georgia World Congress Center (rear), CNN Center Unidentified photographer, Atlanta, March 1995 Georgia Amateur Athletic Foundation Collection, Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center

From July 19 through August 4, 1996, Atlanta hosted the Centennial Summer Olympic Games, the largest event in Atlanta’s history.

On March 14, 2008, a tornado struck Atlanta, including the downtown area.

The center also hosted the 2009 Soul Train Music Awards, the first held outside of the Los Angeles area.

FBLA-PBL once again held their FBLA National Leadership Conference in the Congress Center in 2016 for Opening and Closing Session, with over 12,000 attendees.

The Dome was demolished on November 20, 2017.

Atlanta, Ga., September 6, 2018 – Atlanta’s iconic Georgia Dome today became the newest member of the Georgia Historical Society’s Business History Initiative (BHI) with the addition of a historical marker at the former site of the Georgia Dome, now The Home Depot Back Yard at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.