Here’s something you might not realize: Atlanta’s convention scene is absolutely massive. We’re talking $18 billion annually kind of massive. The city pulled in about 50 million visitors in 2023, and honestly? That’s created this interesting problem nobody saw coming.
There aren’t enough qualified executives to run all of this.
Think about the Georgia World Congress Center for a second. It’s the world’s largest LEED-certified convention center—3.9 million square feet of exhibition space. That’s not just big, it’s kind of mind-boggling. And it’s not like these events are small potatoes either. A single anime convention, MomoCon, brought in an estimated $34.6 million impact to metro Atlanta in 2024. One weekend. One event.
The Leadership Gap Nobody’s Talking About
So here’s what’s happening on the ground. Atlanta’s convention infrastructure keeps growing, but the pool of people who can actually run these operations? It’s not keeping pace. And we’re not just talking about hotel managers anymore—though that’s part of it. We’re talking venue operations, event tech, trade show logistics, all of it.
“Atlanta’s convention economy is operating at a scale that demands a very specific type of executive leader,” said Jim Hickey, President Managing Partner at Perpetual Talent Solutions, an Atlanta executive search firm. “We’re seeing demand for executives who can navigate complex stakeholder relationships, manage large-scale operations, and drive revenue in an increasingly competitive market.”
And look, the numbers back this up. The Georgia World Congress Center Authority campus alone has generated more than $1.8 billion economic impact on Georgia’s economy. That kind of scale creates this ripple effect—suddenly you need sophisticated leadership at every level, from the convention center itself to the hotels surrounding it to the companies coordinating massive trade shows.
What It Takes to Lead Now (Hint: It’s Different)
Here’s where it gets interesting. The executives running Atlanta’s convention economy today need a completely different skill set than they did even five years ago. Technology changed everything.
“The executive profiles we’re recruiting for today look nothing like what they did five years ago,” Hickey explained. “Technology proficiency is no longer optional. Our clients need leaders who understand revenue management systems, customer relationship platforms, and how to leverage data to drive decision-making and enhance guest experiences.”
You know that moment when you book a hotel room and everything just…works? The pricing feels right, the confirmation is instant, you can check in from your phone? There’s an executive somewhere who built those systems. And they’re using data you can’t even see—occupancy trends, competitor pricing, customer behavior patterns—to make decisions in real time.
That’s the new baseline. If you can’t do that, you’re already behind.
Why Atlanta’s Actually Winning This Fight
But here’s the thing—Atlanta’s got some serious advantages when it comes to attracting this kind of talent. First off, you can actually afford to live here. Compared to New York or LA, Atlanta’s cost of living is…well, it’s not even close. And you’re still in a major market with Hartsfield-Jackson right there, connecting you to everywhere.
The metro area’s been adding 21,200 jobs annually in leisure and hospitality. That’s real growth, not just recovery from something. And for executives, that means something important: you’re not just maintaining someone else’s legacy. You’re building.
“What makes Atlanta unique is the combination of scale and growth trajectory,” Hickey noted. “Executives aren’t just managing existing operations—they’re building something. The Georgia World Congress Center continues to expand its capabilities, new hotels are under development, and the entire hospitality ecosystem is evolving.”
Think about it this way: would you rather take over a well-oiled machine in a saturated market, or help shape something that’s still figuring out what it can become? Different people want different things, but Atlanta’s offering the second option. And for the right executive, that’s incredibly appealing.
How Smart Companies Are Actually Finding These People
Okay, so let’s talk about what actually works when you’re trying to recruit executive talent in this market. Because honestly, just posting a job and hoping isn’t going to cut it.
The companies that are winning right now? They’re not leading with compensation packages. Don’t get me wrong, money matters. But the executives they’re after are already making good money. What they’re really asking is: do I fit here? Will I grow? Does this organization’s culture match how I want to lead?
“The most successful placements happen when there’s authentic alignment between the executive’s leadership style and the organization’s culture,” Hickey emphasized. “We invest significant time understanding not just what a client needs on paper, but what leadership attributes will actually drive success in their specific environment.”
That word “authentic” is doing a lot of work there. Because everyone says they want culture fit, but how many companies actually know what their culture is? Like, really know it—not the version in the marketing materials, but the actual day-to-day reality of working there.
What’s Coming Next
Look, Atlanta’s convention economy isn’t slowing down. If anything, it’s accelerating. Business travel bounced back from the pandemic disruptions, airport traffic is up, and all of that flows directly into convention attendance and hotel bookings.
But here’s what keeps some people up at night: the executives being placed today are going to shape the next decade of Atlanta’s convention scene. And the questions they’re asking are bigger than just operations.
“The executive talent we’re placing today will shape Atlanta’s convention economy for the next decade,” Hickey reflected. “These leaders need vision that extends beyond operational excellence to strategic positioning. How does Atlanta differentiate itself from competing convention destinations? How do we leverage technology to enhance the attendee experience? These are the questions that separate good executives from exceptional ones.”
How does Atlanta compete with Vegas, with Orlando, with Chicago? What makes someone choose to hold their conference here instead of somewhere else? The answers to those questions aren’t in a playbook somewhere. They’re in the minds of the executives being recruited right now.
The Pipeline Problem
And here’s the uncomfortable truth: Atlanta can’t just keep poaching executives from other markets forever. Eventually, you need to grow your own.
Some organizations are starting to figure this out. They’re partnering with local hospitality programs, creating real internship opportunities—not just coffee-fetching positions—and building leadership tracks for managers who show potential. Because if you wait until there’s an executive opening to start thinking about succession, you’ve already lost.
The good news? Atlanta’s got the infrastructure, the economic momentum, and honestly, the quality of life to make this work. The city’s cementing its place as one of North America’s top convention destinations. But it only works if there are enough leaders who can actually run everything.
That’s the real challenge. Not the buildings or the technology or the marketing. It’s finding the people who can turn all of that potential into something real.
