Gas South District Expansion, Construction Completed

The $200 million renovation has increased greenspace, seating, workspace and artistic touches.

As Gwinnett County grows, the options for event spaces have also grown. To give business owners a progress report on the changes, Stan Hall, chief executive officer of the Gwinnett Convention & Visitors Bureau — also known as Explore Gwinnet — discussed what’s new at the April 27 Peachtree Corners Business Association Business After Hours event.

Gas South District

In addition to his many duties

By Arlinda Smith Broady

throughout the county, Hall oversees the operations of Gas South District. Gas South District is a 118-acre campus in Duluth built to accommodate a variety of events such as concerts, performances, meetings, trade shows, conventions, banquets and celebrations. The multipurpose campus includes:

■ Gas South Arena, with 13,000 seats,

■ Gas South Theater, with 708 seats, and

■ Gas South Convention Center, a 90,000-square-foot exhibit hall with 23 meeting rooms and a 21,600-square-foot ballroom.

The expansion of Gas South Convention Center and the addition of a new headquarters hotel in the Gas South District are highlights of a multi-year plan to improve the destination’s ability to host a wider variety of events.

Hall encouraged local businesses and stakeholders to check out the improvements of one of the most impressive facilities in the metropolitan Atlanta region.

The Exhibit Hall, the primary convention space, now boasts new meeting rooms with builtin screens, projectors and audio systems. There is also a junior ballroom and outdoor event space surrounding the venue. Proof of the Pudding, the in-house caterer, has consistently been named Atlanta’s best and the new fast-casual food hall will make it easy for attendees to grab a hot coffee, brick oven pizza or a healthy lunch, according to Explore Gwinnett.

The renovation also includes new lighting, audio-visual and technology enhancements, group seating, workspaces, public art and an open airy, design. Fronting the Gas South District is the new Gateway Park, which will provide easy access to the surrounding hotels.

Safety first

Gas South District has maintained its commitment to health and safety protocols with Global Biorisk Advisory Council Star accreditation. This recognition is the ‘gold standard” for venues and facilities that have met and exceeded the most stringent cleaning and safety disease prevention protocols.

“The well-being and safety of our clients, guests and staff are always our top priority,” Hall said.

“We are following strict protocols that allow us to operate in a clean and healthy environment.”

The last portion of the plan to be completed is the Westin Hotel adjacent to the Convention Center. It is touted as a 348-room, four-star facility poised to serve as the Convention Center’s headquarters hotel. The expected opening date is March 2024.

The hotel will feature an additional 17,000 square feet of conference space with 13 meeting rooms, a rooftop bar, Starbucks and open greenspace, connecting the hotel to the Convention Center. ■ costs $70M Convention Center improvements $20M public outdoor gathering spaces and trails $75M Westin Hotel $32M two parking decks totaling 3,200 spaces