Athens is a vibrant city full of arts, music, good food, and of course, the University of Georgia. Located roughly 75 miles from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Athens is easily accessible via rideshare, car rental, or Groome Transportation shuttle service for those arriving by air. The city holds numerous neighborhoods, each with its own unique vibe and offerings, and all just minutes away from ample outdoor recreation space. To learn more about the city of Athens, check out VisitAthensGA.com.

The conference will be held at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel, which is located 0.8 miles from the Five Points neighborhood. This area is home to multiple locally owned businesses including Condor Chocolates, Independent Baking Co., Five & Ten, Jittery Joe’s, Cali N Tito’s (great for lunch!), The Expat, and The Royal Peasant Pub, just to name a few. There is also an Earth Fare grocery store in the neighborhood, where conference attendees can pick up any snacks or personal items they may need for their trip.

Local businesses at the conference Welcome Reception:

Local businesses will be giving out free samples of their products (mainly food and drink) at the conference Welcome Reception on May 18. Get a taste of Athens and surrounding areas!

Lodging:

Check out the Lodging tab for more information on where to stay in Athens, as well as information for childcare.

 

Some more of our favorite Athens area spots:

Outdoor recreation:

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

Lake Herrick

Sandy Creek Nature Center

Sandy Creek Park and Lake Chapman

Memorial Park

Indoor fun:

Ciné movie theatre

Live music! – check out Flagpole Magazine’s “calendar” tab to up-to-date live music events in town

Farm-to-table and locally owned restaurants:

Heirloom Cafe and Fresh Market

home.made

the farmcart

The National

Five & Ten

White Tiger Gourmet

Maepole

The Grit Vegetarian Restaurant

1000 Faces Coffee

Hendershot’s Coffee/Bar/Music

Breweries:

Creature Comforts Brewing Co.

Terrapin Beer Co.

Southern Brewing Co.

Akademia Brewing Company

Athentic Brewing Co.