Exhibitor guide · College Park, Georgia
Georgia International Convention Center: the exhibitor's guide
Georgia's second-largest convention center, minutes from the world's busiest airport, and a building that moved once already to get out of the way of a runway. What exhibitors need to know about the GICC.
Why this page exists
The GICC's whole reason for existing where it does today is airport geometry: the original 1985 building sat behind a Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza on Riverdale Road until a planned runway expansion at Hartsfield-Jackson forced it to close and move to its current College Park site in 2003. For exhibitors, that history is less important than the practical upside: this is the only major Atlanta-area convention center you can reach from baggage claim in a few minutes, which matters for fly-in-heavy shows. This guide covers the exhibit space, Georgia's labor rules, drayage, hotels by the airport, and the center's move.
The building
The exhibit space
| Space | What it is | Typical shows | Booth planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main exhibit hall | 150,000 sq ft, divisible for smaller shows. | Trade shows, consumer expos | Confirm current divisible configuration. |
| Pre-function and meeting space | 90,000 sq ft of pre-function space, 16,000 sq ft of meeting rooms and a 40,000 sq ft ballroom. | Registration, breakouts | Adjoins the exhibit hall directly. |
Figures from the GICC's published fact sheet; total square footage varies slightly across sources and is flagged for verification.
The labor map
Who sets up my booth?
Georgia's right-to-work law applies here the same as at the GWCC: your own full-time staff can generally handle booth assembly, while drayage and utilities route through the show's official contractor.
Full-time staff, no card required
Confirm your specific show's hand-carry allowance with the official contractor.
Exhibitor-appointed contractors
Purple files as your EAC for GICC shows.
History
A building that moved
The first Georgia International Convention Center opens on Riverdale Road, behind an adjoining Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza hotel near the airport.
Planned runway expansion at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport puts the original site in the way of future airport growth.
The GICC closes at its original location and reopens at its current College Park site, purpose-built to stay clear of the airport's expansion plans while keeping its signature close-to-the-terminal convenience.
Free tool
GICC drayage estimator
Planning numbers for 2026 and 2027; your show's exhibitor kit has the tariff.
Logistics
Hotels, transit, crew logistics
- Airport: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International is about 5–10 minutes away, closer than any other major Atlanta-area venue.
- By transit: a free airport shuttle connects to nearby MARTA stations.
- Crew: Purple coordinates Southeast crews for College Park installs.
| Hotel | Distance | Why exhibitors pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Airport-area hotels | 5–10-min drive | Closest options to both the GICC and the terminal. |
| Downtown Atlanta hotels | 20–25-min drive | More dining and nightlife, still a short trip. |
Questions
Georgia International Convention Center FAQ
How close is the airport?
About 5 to 10 minutes, making the GICC the closest major Atlanta-area convention center to Hartsfield-Jackson.
Why did the GICC move?
The original 1985 building on Riverdale Road sat in the path of a planned runway expansion and closed in favor of the current College Park site in 2003.
Can I set up my own booth?
Georgia's right-to-work law applies; your own full-time staff can generally handle booth assembly, confirmed against the specific show's rules.
How much is drayage?
Purple's planning estimate is about $145 per hundredweight in 2026 and 2027, with a 200-pound minimum.
How big is the Georgia International Convention Center?
150,000 square feet of exhibit space, the second-largest convention center in Georgia.
When did the current building open?
2003, when the GICC relocated from its original 1985 site on Riverdale Road to stay clear of runway expansion.
Exhibiting at the GICC?
Send us the show and booth number. You get a labor briefing, a drayage estimate, and a build timeline within two business days.
Venue guides
Every venue we have a guide for
Same standard, every hall: the building, the rules, the tools and the calendar.