Attendees come face to face with beluga whales and other exotic underwater creatures while attending an event at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. Not only does the world’s largest aquarium offer up-close looks at marine life, but it also uses Wolfgang Puck as its caterer and offers teambuilding options onsite—a win-win-win for groups.
The 10 million-gallon aquarium features a slew of event spaces such as Oceans Ballroom for up to 1,000 attendees, seated. The 16,400-sf ballroom features two large aquatic observation windows for attendees to check out whale sharks, manta rays and exotic fish while noshing on appetizers. The Arctic Room (for up to 180 attendees, seated) offers a more intimate experience and features beluga whales on display. Playful dolphins highlight the naturally lit Dolphin Lobby (for up to 140, seated), while the Ocean Voyager (available for 70, seated) features the largest aquarium-viewing window in North America. Larger events up to 5,000 attendees can rent out the entire facility, providing attendees access to all six galleries and the opportunity to experience Deepo’s Undersea Show in the 4D theater.
“The aquarium provides a location that is outside of the normal meeting venue with an alternate experience and scenery of ocean life,” says Will Ramsey, vice president of sales at the aquarium. “Groups are able to conduct serious meetings in the Oceans Ballroom space and then have fun and enjoy the aquarium’s galleries and exhibits afterwards.”
Located within walking distance of the Georgia World Congress Center, the aquarium also offers options for groups that need even more space. Groups up to 10,000 attendees can buyout the 750,000-sf Pemberton Place, made up of the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola and a green space between the two buildings.
For all events, Wolfgang Puck Catering offers a full-service catering operation, including a kosher kitchen and a menu with local influences. “Georgia Aquarium provides guests with a genuine Southern hospitality experience, and Wolfgang Puck Catering also sources local ingredients and adds an authentic Southern flare to catering options,” says Ramsey.
The Georgia Aquarium also offers teambuilding opportunities such as animal encounter and interactive programs in which attendees will interact with penguins, dolphins and sea otters up close or even suit up with the beluga whale trainers. Scavenger hunts and behind-the-scenes tour experiences—a backstage pass to the aquarium’s AT&T Dolphin Tales production, for instance—are also available for groups.
