January 30, 2004 (Atlanta, GA) – In an unprecedented partnership, the Robinson College of Business' Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority announce the creation of the Hospitality Learning Center to be located within the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Hospitality Learning Center will be home to a high tech teaching and research site for graduate and undergraduate studies. Plans include state-of-the-art technology including classrooms complete with VCRs, large screens, document cameras, and cable television. Rooms will also enable web stream video conferencing and will have Internet access. Classes begin at the Hospitality Learning Center in the summer of 2004.
"This unprecedented alliance brings new meaning to relevant, real-time learning experiences," said Debby Cannon, director for the School of Hospitality. "This Center will serve as a model for other hospitality programs domestically and throughout the world. Partnerships between industry and education will grow in importance as we experience tremendous mutual benefits."
Some of the proposed programs for the Hospitality Learning Center include event/venue management for undergraduate and graduate students; in-house professional development for GWCC clients and employees; and educational programs for the hospitality and tourism industries.
"This partnership between the Georgia World Congress Center Authority and Robinson College is a one-of-a-kind venture that benefits the students, the College, the Congress Center and the hospitality industry. What a great addition this Learning Center will be to our campus," said John Smith, General Manager of the Georgia World Congress Center and adjunct professor at the School of Hospitality.
The Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality provides academic courses in the areas of hotel, restaurant, private club, tradeshow and convention, fair and tourism industries.
Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, the Georgia World Congress Center features 1.4 million square feet of prime exhibit space, 12 exhibit halls, 105 meeting rooms, two grand ballrooms and two landscaped plazas. Complemented by the Georgia Dome and Centennial Olympic Park, the three facilities comprise one of the finest convention, sports, and entertainment complexes in the world..
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