Atlanta: A Thriving Business Hub and Southern Getaway for Business Travelers

The lush tree canopy covering Atlanta and its surrounding metro area population of 6.3 million—might make it easy to believe this big city in a Southern forest is a bit sleepy. But business is booming in Georgia’s capital, with an increasing number of major corporations joining Delta, Coca-Cola, UPS, and The Home Depot in a transportation hub that moves millions of people and products around the region, nation, and world.

That said, Atlanta certainly isn’t an all-work-and-no-play kind of place—it was recently ranked as one of the top five most fun U.S. cities, thanks to a range of recreational opportunities that await after work hours. Here, learn more about what keeps business travelers coming back to Atlanta.

Centurion Lounge at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport / Photo: Courtesy of Centurion Lounge

The Airport

Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) continues to reign as the world’s busiest airport by passenger volume, with more than 105 million travelers served annually and over $34 billion generated in economic impact. The first phase of a significant expansion of ATL airport’s Concourse D, which will increase capacity and offer additional food and beverage options and added space in waiting areas and restrooms, was completed in September.

Photo: Courtesy of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Last year, ATL opened Amex’s 28th Centurion Lounge—its largest at 26,000 square feet and the first in the portfolio to incorporate outdoor space. Delta remains king, with expectations to offer its biggest schedule to date this summer with 1.1 million weekly seats, 968 daily flight,s and service to 215 destinations, adding up to nearly 75 more daily departures compared to summer 2024.

Business Hotels

Just west of downtown, Signia by Hilton opened in 2024 with 976 rooms, more than 100,000 square feet of meeting space, a pedestrian walkway offering direct access to the Georgia World Congress Center, three restaurants, and three bars. Farther east is the buzzy Forth Atlanta, a luxury boutique hotel offering private club memberships and a more intimate space for conferences and gatherings, accommodating up to 400 in its dividable 9,700-square-foot ballroom.

kohada at Mujo / Photo: Courtesy of Andrew Thomas Lee

Power Meals

The Michelin Guide arrived in Atlanta in 2023, awarding a single Star distinction to five restaurants, then expanding in 2024 for a total of nine starred establishments, four of which are omakase. The exceptional edomae-style sushi and service at Mujo in West Midtown won’t disappoint for a one-on-one deal closer—although the availability of seating just might if plans aren’t made weeks in advance. For something more soulful, call for a group accommodation at Southern National, where James Beard 2024 Semifinalist Duane Nutter leads a kitchen specializing in regional classics in the Summerhill community near downtown.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium / Photo: Courtesy of Alex Slitz/Fifa/Getty Images

Conference Centers and Venues

The Georgia World Congress Center Authority, which includes the Signia, Centennial Olympic Park and neighboring Mercedes-Benz Stadium, hosted more than 160 events in fiscal year 2024, generating $1.84 billion in economic impact. Options outside downtown include the Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center, located in Midtown. With 21,000 square feet of meeting space spread across 23 event rooms, proximity to various parts of the city, and an adjacent food hall, it’s a popular complex for meetings among tech and start-up businesses.

The 400,000-square-foot Georgia International Convention Center, accessible by a complimentary two-minute ride from Hartsfield-Jackson via the ATL SkyTrain, offers 150,000 square feet of exhibit space, 16,000 square feet of meeting space, and 2,000 parking spots, with four hotels connected to the SkyTrain and two more under construction.