An Inside Look: A Planner's Perspective of the Meeting Experience at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis

    /24-7PressRelease/ - ATLANTA, GA, April 03, 2008 - As the largest hotel in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, located in the heart of Peachtree Center, puts the finishing touches on its $138 million dollar transformation; a respected meeting planner speaks out about their recent meeting experience...even before the hotel's July 2008 finale.

Lee Blankenship, senior meeting specialist at Willis Global Events Team (GET), based in Nashville, TN just held a 700 member meeting at the venue in January 2008. This former 18-year veteran of the hospitality industry admits that she is a tough client for any hotel and has extremely high standards for all aspects of the meeting experience from the sales process to the finalization of details, to execution and post-event follow up.

According to Blankenship, "The Atlanta Marriott Marquis exceeded our expectations on every level. The transformation is amazing combining a modern d cor that is aesthetically very pleasing, with a noticeably high-tech feel. One of my concerns with a 700 person meeting in a 1,600 room property was the 'little fish in the big pond' syndrome. Will we be overlooked? Will the hotel care if my attendees feel overlooked? Will my meeting become yet another product of a "convention" hotel, which best case scenario is usually mediocre? Not here! The Marriott Marquis' Atlanta convention facility has great energy and life, which contributed in keeping our attendees actively engaged. If there were other groups within the hotel... we did not know it. We hosted the general session, 27 breakouts and three meals per day for three days and their dedicated staff was pro-active, responsive and usually two steps ahead of me at nearly every turn. Our meeting space was located on four levels, yet with the well thought out location of staircases, elevators and escalators, I received not one complaint about being "spread out," or attendees being confused about how to find the various break out rooms.

The banquet and set-up staff was the best I have worked with - bar none. I saw the executive chef at least three times per day, and arranged all my menus personally with the banquet chef to create unique and well received banquet meals. Serving 700 for breakfast, lunch and dinner for three days makes you wish someone would come up with a new entr e category in addition to chicken, beef or fish, but the Atlanta Marriott Marquis provided a large variety of items prepared perfectly. I received rave reviews from my attendees on the selection of items, presentation and quality of the food. The Atlanta Marriott Marquis can teach their competitors both within and outside Atlanta a lesson in hospitality. And the competitors should pay close attention before all they see is the dust the Marquis leaves behind! In the hugely competitive market of Greater Atlanta - Marriott Marquis will always be our top choice."

This premier meeting destination showcases more than 160,000 square-feet of versatile meeting space and the world's largest atrium, soaring 47-stories, complimented by Atlanta accommodations, highlighted by 1,663 exquisitely designed guest rooms and 94 spectacular suites. Inside the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, planners will discover that every inch of existing space was masterfully redefined to accommodate 21st century meeting needs, making it one of the most sought after meeting destinations in the country.

The award-winning hotel is located only 10 miles from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the heart of Peachtree Center and is within close proximity to the Georgia World Congress Center, Phillips Arena, Georgia Dome, Turner Field, World of Coca Cola, and the Georgia Aquarium.

The Atlanta Marriott Marquis participates in the company's award-winning Marriott Rewards frequent guest program and meeting planners have an opportunity to achieve the Marriott Rewards Elite status when hosting two or more meetings this calendar year.

About Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Rediscover the sophisticated Atlanta Marriott Marquis, a destination downtown Atlanta hotel conveniently located in Peachtree Center, offering an indoor connection to MARTA and a short 15 minute ride to Hartsfield Jackson International Airport. This contemporary Atlanta, GA hotel is steps from the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and few blocks from CNN Center, Georgia World Congress Center, Philips Arena, and Georgia Dome. The breathtaking atrium is marked by the 50-foot color changing sail of Pulse, a classically cool cocktail lounge and the new iconic symbol of this downtown Atlanta, Georgia hotel. Take pleasure in freshly renovated guestrooms, including 1663 luxurious rooms and 94 spacious suites, boasting lavish conveniences and amazing skyline views. Delight in Sear, a new signature restaurant offering fire-inspired cuisine, or enjoy the lively ambiance of High Velocity, a trendy sports bar. Experience the electrifying transformation of the unrivaled Marriott Marquis Hotel in downtown Atlanta, GA. For more information or to make a reservation, call 404-521-0000 or visit http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/atlmq-atlanta-marriott-marquis/.

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