Atlanta International Convention Center: What It Is and Where Big Events Really Happen in Atlanta

If you’re searching for the “Atlanta International Convention Center”, you’re most likely looking for a large-scale convention or event venue in or near Atlanta, Georgia—something suitable for trade shows, conferences, expos, or large meetings.

In practical, on-the-ground Atlanta terms, that usually points people toward a few major convention centers and event campuses that serve international and national visitors:

• Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in Downtown Atlanta
• Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart
• Cobb Galleria Centre (Northwest Atlanta area)
• Gas South Convention Center (Duluth, in metro Atlanta)

There isn’t a single facility formally named “Atlanta International Convention Center”, but there are several major centers that fill that role for international and national events.

Below is a clear guide to the main convention centers serving Atlanta, how they differ, where they’re located, and how to pick the right one for your visit or event.

The Major Convention Centers That Serve “International Atlanta”

1. Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC)

Best for:
Large national and international conventions, trade shows, fan events, and corporate meetings.

Location:
285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30313

The Georgia World Congress Center is the primary large-scale convention center in Atlanta and one of the largest in the country. If you hear about a major international expo or national conference in Atlanta, there’s a strong chance it’s at GWCC.

Key features:

• Multiple expansive exhibit halls capable of hosting tens of thousands of attendees
• Large ballrooms and meeting rooms for breakouts and receptions
• Direct connection to the CNN Center area and close proximity to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena
• Walkable to Downtown hotels, including major chains and conference hotels

Getting there:

• MARTA Rail:
  • Take the Blue or Green Line to GWCC/CNN Center Station. The station exits right into the convention/arena district.
• Driving:
  • GWCC runs multiple official parking decks and surface lots. Event organizers often provide maps or parking guidance; check event materials in advance.
• From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport:
  • Direct MARTA ride (no transfer needed if you’re on the Blue/Green line) from the Airport Station to GWCC/CNN Center Station.
  • Ride-share and taxis typically take 15–25 minutes depending on traffic.

When locals use GWCC:

• Huge fan conventions (comics, gaming, pop culture)
• Professional conferences in tech, healthcare, education, and more
• Home shows, car shows, and trade expos open to the public

If you’re hosting an event and want it to feel like a true international convention in the heart of Atlanta, GWCC is often the first facility planners consider.

2. Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart

Best for:
Wholesale markets, fashion and gift shows, and medium-to-large conferences with a strong business-to-business focus.

Location:
Downtown Atlanta, on the AmericasMart campus
Near Peachtree St NW and John Portman Blvd NW

The Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart is part of the city’s AmericasMart complex, a major wholesale marketplace. It often hosts industry markets, showroom events, and conferences tied to retail, home furnishings, apparel, and gifts.

Key features:

• Integrated with permanent showrooms for fashion, home, and gift companies
• Flexible conference and event spaces that can be scaled up or down
• Surrounded by Downtown Atlanta hotels, restaurants, and MARTA access

Getting there:

• MARTA Rail:
  • Use Peachtree Center Station (Red/Gold Lines). From the station, it’s a short indoor/outdoor walk through the Downtown corridor.
• Driving:
  • Multiple parking decks and garages in the surrounding blocks of Peachtree Center and AmericasMart. Rates and availability vary by event.
• From the Airport:
  • Ride MARTA Red or Gold Line from Airport Station to Peachtree Center Station.

For international visitors attending markets or trade shows, AmericasMart and its convention spaces often function as a specialized “international center” for wholesale business in Atlanta.

3. Cobb Galleria Centre

Best for:
Corporate meetings, regional conventions, consumer expos, and banquets in Northwest Atlanta/Marietta.

Location:
2 Galleria Parkway SE
Atlanta, GA 30339

The Cobb Galleria Centre is located near the junction of I-75 and I-285, close to The Battery Atlanta and Truist Park. It’s technically in Cobb County but often referred to as part of metro Atlanta’s convention scene.

Key features:

• Large exhibit halls and flexible meeting room layouts
• Directly connected to the Galleria office park and near several hotels
• Easy access to The Battery Atlanta (restaurants, retail, entertainment)

Getting there:

• Public Transit:
  • MARTA rail does not go directly to the Galleria. You can ride MARTA to a nearby station (often Arts Center Station) and transfer to a CobbLinc bus or use ride-share.
• Driving:
  • Convenient to I-75 and I-285, with on-site parking garages and surrounding surface parking.
• From the Airport:
  • Most visitors opt for ride-share, taxi, or rental car. Travel time can range from 25–45 minutes depending on traffic.

If you’re based in Cobb County, Vinings, or North Atlanta, or you want an event away from Downtown, Cobb Galleria is often a top choice.

4. Gas South Convention Center (Metro Atlanta – Duluth)

Best for:
Regional conventions, performances, and expos serving the northeast metro area.

Location:
6400 Sugarloaf Parkway
Duluth, GA 30097

The Gas South District (formerly Infinite Energy Center) includes an arena, theater, and convention center. While it’s outside the City of Atlanta, many metro events marketed as “Atlanta-area” take place here.

Key features:

• Convention center, arena, and theater all on one campus
• Suitable for trade shows, concerts, and large community events
• Popular with groups that draw attendees from across Gwinnett County and metro Atlanta

Getting there:

• Public Transit:
  • Transit options are more limited here; many attendees drive. Local buses may serve nearby park-and-ride lots.
• Driving:
  • Located near I-85 off Sugarloaf Parkway, with substantial event parking.
• From the Airport:
  • Typically reached by rental car, shuttle, or ride-share; travel time can be 35–60 minutes depending on traffic.

For visitors, it’s useful to know that an event “in Atlanta” may actually be hosted at this northeast metro complex, especially for concerts and large expos.

Quick Comparison of Atlanta’s Main Convention Centers

Use this as a starting point if you’re trying to figure out where an event might be or which facility best fits your needs.

How to Figure Out Where Your “Atlanta Convention” Is Actually Being Held

Because so many venues are used for large events, the phrase “Atlanta International Convention” can be vague. To narrow it down:

1. Check the event website or registration page.

   • Look specifically for the street address and building name.
   • Words like “World Congress,” “AmericasMart,” or “Galleria” are key clues.

2. Match the name to the venue:

   • Anything with “World Congress” or “GWCC” → Georgia World Congress Center
   • “AmericasMart” or “Atlanta Convention Center” → Downtown wholesale complex
   • “Galleria” or “Cobb Galleria” → Northwest metro near Truist Park
   • “Gas South District” or “Gas South Convention Center” → Duluth (northeast metro)

3. Use a map to see how close it is to Downtown Atlanta.

   • If your event is in Downtown, you may not need a car—MARTA, walking, and ride-shares are often enough.
   • If it’s in Cobb or Gwinnett, you’ll likely want a rental car, shuttle, or ride-share plan.

4. If in doubt, contact the organizer directly.

   • Ask for: “The full venue name and street address in Atlanta (or metro Atlanta)”
   • This helps avoid accidentally booking a hotel on the wrong side of the city.

Choosing the Right Area to Stay in for a Convention

If you’re attending an event at what you think of as the “Atlanta International Convention Center,” you’ll want to pick a hotel and neighborhood that match the actual venue.

If your event is at Georgia World Congress Center or AmericasMart

Best areas to stay:

• Downtown Atlanta:
  • Closest to the event, easy walks, many major hotels.
• Midtown Atlanta:
  • Short MARTA ride; more nightlife, restaurants, and parks.

Why this works:

• You can often walk to the venue or take a quick rail/bus ride.
• Good for visitors without cars and for international travelers who prefer transit and ride-shares over navigating highways.

If your event is at Cobb Galleria Centre

Best areas to stay:

• Cumberland/Galleria area near I-75/I-285
• The Battery Atlanta near Truist Park

Why this works:

• Short drive or walk to the convention center, depending on hotel location.
• Strong mix of dining, shopping, and entertainment nearby.

If your event is at Gas South Convention Center

Best areas to stay:

• Hotels along Sugarloaf Parkway and nearby I-85 exits in Duluth or Lawrenceville

Why this works:

• You cut down significantly on cross-city traffic.
• You’re within a short drive of the venue and local restaurants.

Transportation Tips for Convention Attendees in Atlanta

Using MARTA

For most international and out-of-town visitors, MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) is the simplest way to navigate between the airport and Downtown/Midtown:

• From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport:
  • Take Red or Gold Line northbound.
  • Get off at:
    • GWCC/CNN Center Station for Georgia World Congress Center
    • Peachtree Center Station for AmericasMart and many Downtown hotels
• Trains typically run frequently throughout the day, with reduced frequency late nights.

Ride-Share and Taxis

• Commonly used to reach Cobb Galleria, Gas South Convention Center, and outlying hotels.
• At the airport, follow signs to the ride-share pick-up area or taxi stand.

Driving and Parking

• Downtown parking tends to be garage-based; event parking rates vary.
• In Cobb and Gwinnett, surface lots and decks are more common and often more spacious.
• Traffic around major interstates (I-75, I-85, I-285, GA-400) can be heavy during rush hours and when big games or concerts overlap with conventions.

Planning an Event in Atlanta: When a “Global” or “International” Feel Matters

If you’re an organizer looking to host an event with international attendees or a broad national draw, consider:

Why many planners choose Downtown (GWCC or AmericasMart)

• Direct rail connection from the airport makes arrival simpler for international visitors.
• Dense cluster of hotels, restaurants, and attractions (Centennial Olympic Park, World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium).
• Easier to brand your event as happening in the heart of Atlanta.

Why some groups choose Cobb or Gwinnett

• Preference for suburban setting or proximity to where most attendees live.
• Often easier on parking and driving logistics for regional drive-in attendees.
• Access to new or specialized venues (like arenas and theaters) for ceremonies or performances.

When describing your event to attendees, it helps to specify clearly:

• The exact venue name (e.g., “Georgia World Congress Center – Building B”)
• The city/county (Atlanta vs. Duluth vs. Marietta)
• Basic transportation guidance (e.g., “Easily accessible via MARTA from the airport” or “Best reached by car; parking on site”)

Key Takeaways for Anyone Searching “Atlanta International Convention Center”

• There is no single building officially called the “Atlanta International Convention Center.”
• For major international or national conventions in Atlanta, the Georgia World Congress Center is typically the primary venue.
• Other large convention sites in the Atlanta metro area include:
  • Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart (Downtown)
  • Cobb Galleria Centre (Northwest, near The Battery)
  • Gas South Convention Center (Duluth, northeast metro)
• To avoid confusion:
  • Always confirm the full venue name and address.
  • Choose lodging that fits the actual location of your event.
  • Plan your transportation (MARTA vs. car/ride-share) based on whether your convention is Downtown or in the suburbs.

With these details, you can confidently navigate Atlanta’s convention scene—whether you’re attending a massive international expo, planning a corporate meeting, or simply trying to figure out where your “Atlanta convention” really is.