Atlanta
Atlanta is the capital and largest city in the state of Georgia in terms of population. Its major airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, is one of the busiest airports in the world.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport delivers millions of business travelers each year to Atlanta. Located approximately 10 miles from downtown Atlanta, business travelers won't have far to go to find the accommodations they need. Business travelers from all over the world travel through Hartsfield-Jackson, as it is the hub to several major airlines.
Business travelers who prefer to drive can easily reach Atlanta via one of many interstate highways, including Interstates 75, 85, and 20. Many of the business districts can be reached via I-285. Alternatively, many business travelers use the AMTRAK train to reach Atlanta, depending, of course, on the direction from which they are traveling.
Business travelers in the region may choose a variety of options to reach Atlanta, which include rental cars, buses, and regional shuttle services. Those who do travel through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will find a variety of travel options waiting for them when they reach the city.
Business travelers coming to Atlanta will find a variety of convenient options for them to get around the city during their stay. With Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport located just a few miles from downtown Atlanta, those travelers needing overnight accommodations or meeting facilities won't have far to travel to reach their destinations.
There are a variety of rental car options from which to choose in Atlanta. If traveling through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, business travelers will have the convenience of renting a car at the airport, so they can quickly be on their way. Alternatively, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) provides bus service to more than 100 routes within the city, and the MARTA train provides rail service, which can connect passengers to the bus line, as well as to Hartsfield-Jackson and several other destinations. Passengers who will be utilizing the MARTA system can check route maps and schedules by looking at the system's website.
Taxis, shuttle services, and limos are readily available for the business traveler in Atlanta. Shuttle services are available inside and outside the Atlanta Metropolitan area and can always be found at the Ground Transportation Center at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Business travelers who have time to explore the city when the business day is over can see the sights by horse drawn carriage, which can be an exciting way to explore the downtown area of Atlanta, GA.
With Georgia being home to dozens of Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies, convention centers and meeting facilities abound in the Peachtree state. The Georgia International Convention Center is located less than a mile from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, making it extremely convenient for business travelers who may have business there. While this center has several large meeting suites, it also boasts a 40,000 square foot ballroom and more than 150,000 square feet of exhibit space.
CNN Prime Time Events at CNN Global Headquarters is a choice banquet facility in Atlanta. Located in downtown Atlanta, less than ten miles from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, this facility, which has a capacity for 450 people, is the perfect venue for both large corporate events, as well as smaller, intimate gatherings.
For those business travelers who may need to have meetings on a smaller scale, many Atlanta hotels offer conference and meeting rooms that will accommodate this type of need. In addition, many of the hotels offer business services such as Wi-Fi, fax and postal service, and a comfortable desk and chair at which to work. Some hotels will also be able to accommodate those business travelers who will need more than one phone line coming into their room. With the number of business travelers coming to Atlanta on any given day, you can be assured they are able to accommodate almost any need.
Business travelers going to Atlanta will have plenty of activities to keep them busy during free time. Atlanta is steeped in culture and has a variety of cultural activities the business traveler can enjoy. These include the opera, the symphony, the ballet, museums, and the Georgia Aquarium. There are also plenty of tours to enjoy, including the tour at CNN Global Headquarters, walking tours, and the Botanical Gardens.
Business travelers yearning for a round or two of golf will be pleased to discover the Metropolitan Atlanta area has 71 public courses, as well as 14 semi-private courses and 48 private golf courses. In addition, for those business travelers who are able to combine business with pleasure, the area boasts beautiful golf resorts where you can stay and play at the same venue. Atlanta is also home to world-class golf tournaments for those who like to watch the great game of golf.
Sports enthusiasts traveling to Atlanta on business may enjoy catching the Atlanta Braves at home on Turner Field. For those not traveling to Atlanta during the Braves regular season, which is April through September, you can still enjoy visiting the Braves Museum and Turner Field, both of which are open year round and a great thrill for baseball fans. Guided tours are offered year round at Turner Field, and no reservations are required. Since the tour only lasts about an hour, almost any business traveler who is also a baseball fan should be able to fit that in.
Business travelers to Atlanta have a wide variety of dining options from which to choose during their stay. You can just about pick your fare, as well as pick your price when dining in Atlanta. Whether you prefer traditional American food or an ethnic variety, there is a taste for every pleasure. The beauty of it is that you can find everything from Thai to Mexican, Indian, American traditional, and even seafood for under $20. Of course, you can also find steaks, seafood, Italian, French, and other cuisine costing upward of $40 or more per person, depending on the venue.
Atlanta offers a wide variety of atmospheres when it comes to dining. Whether you prefer a Southern diner or a bar and grill, you'll find something to suit your taste in the Southeast's capital city. With the city catering to so many business travelers on a daily basis, there are many talented caterers in the city that provide a variety of food at various business meetings and conventions. Atlanta's hotels also boast menus fit for the most discriminating traveler.
Whether you prefer BBQ, ethnic cuisine, or your steaks cooked to perfection, you'll be more than satisfied with all the food venues the city has to offer. For those business travelers who are able to enjoy some free time while in the South's greatest city, you'll find just the right atmosphere for the right occasion in Atlanta, GA. The city will even cater to the night owls, as there is a variety of food offered 24 hours a day.
While many business travelers have no choice except to stay in the hotel their company has designated, others will enjoy the wide array of choices the city has to offer. Many business travelers enjoy conducting business while staying at their favorite beach-front resort or mountain retreat. Many business travelers to this area of the United States close million dollar deals while enjoying everything the deep South has to offer, including golf, tennis, fishing, and more.
While beach-front resorts in the Atlanta area can lure you into thinking you're on vacation instead of on a business trip, they offer all the amenities every business traveler needs. High-speed Internet access, fax, copy, and notary services are a few of the business services offered at some of the poshest resorts in the Southeast. Don't worry if it's winter; Atlanta, GA still has plenty to offer.
Business travelers unable to stay at a beach-front resort or mountain retreat will still be impressed at the level of amenities offered at hotels frequented by the business traveler. Hotels in this area are used to the discriminating business traveler and are used to fulfilling a wide array of needs. Corporate lodging is unsurpassed; the staff is friendly and well equipped to make your stay as pleasant as possible.
While there are scores of business travelers who take to the skies and highways on a daily basis, there are also many "newbies;" those who have never traveled at the expense of the company for which they work. It is for these travelers that this section is written. Probably the most important piece of advice for any business traveler is to always, always get a receipt. Most companies are sticklers when it comes to receipts for business travel, and it could come out of your own pocket if you fail to get a receipt.
Some companies provide an expense account for their business traveling employees, while others reimburse their employees instead. This means that you spend your own money up front, and if you don't have a receipt to prove you really spent $40 for gas, eating, or whatever it is you spent it on, you will likely not be reimbursed. Most establishments will either provide a receipt, or ask you if you need one, but ultimately, it is up to the employee to request a receipt.
Many business trips are full of boring meetings, and some occur in a boring locale, but for those business travelers fortunate enough to travel to Atlanta, there is so much to see and do that you'll be glad you were picked for this trip. If you fly, open a frequent flyer account if you don't already have one. Some business travelers are surprised to learn that often it is the person who flies, and not the person or company that buys, that gets credit for the flight. If you will be traveling very often, be sure to take advantage of this perk.
If you're a business traveler who travels very often, you may think that all cities and all airports begin to look alike after a while, but of course, most cities have something unique to offer and Atlanta, GA is no different. If you travel very often, you may be on a sunny beach on one trip and in a ski lift the next, assuming you have a little free time. The point is, the climate and amenities vary widely between locales, and it is the savvy business traveler who is prepared beforehand.
When traveling to Atlanta, you can expect hot and humid summers, which make for a lot of fun at the beach, but can be miserable if you're not dressed appropriately. Although this can be tough to manage when you are required to wear business attire, planning ahead for the humidity will save you a lot of headaches later. By the same token, Atlanta can be quite chilly in the winter, with average temperatures in January reaching a high of 50 degrees and a low of 29. If you've recently traveled to the Northeast, Atlanta will most likely be a welcome respite in the winter. In addition, Atlanta often boasts warmer days in the winter, with temperatures rising to the 60s and 70s.
Atlanta enjoys a wide array of industry including technology, retail, construction, entertainment, education, and finance. In fact, it is headquarters to several prominent national and international companies, so it goes without saying that the city is used to accommodating the needs of many business travelers on a daily basis. Business travelers fortunate enough to draw a business trip to this gem of the South will be happy when they realize all that is waiting for them here.
In addition to a wide variety of entertainment options, Atlanta is a mecca for cable television programming, and CNN has its global headquarters here. Visitors to the CNN Center may request a guided tour of the media center. While CNN Prime Time Events is a choice place to host a business meeting that holds hundreds, it is also a venue for small cocktail meetings and an exciting place to visit while in Atlanta, GA. This venue is especially convenient for business travelers who need overnight accommodations, as these can be found less than a mile from the CNN Center.