Mercedes-Benz Stadium gives the Falcons a "world-class stage," but the project could "also become one of the city's most sought-after private event spaces, boosting Atlanta's already robust convention and meetings business to another level," according to a front-page piece by Amy Wenk of the ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE. AMB Group "plans to book private events at the new stadium, from corporate retreats to weddings, fundraisers and luncheons." There will be "about 20 private event spaces at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with rental prices ranging from $2,000 to more than $50,000." Customers can "even pay for cheerleaders to liven up" the party or "rent the entire stadium." AMB Sports & Entertainment Senior VP & Chief Revenue Officer Michael Drake said, "It's literally your canvas -- a 2 million-square-foot canvas for anybody to create an event." Wenk notes it is a "different arrangement" than it was at the Georgia Dome. The Georgia World Congress Center Authority, the state agency that will own the new stadium, "oversaw the private event business at the Dome." AMB Group "expects to grow the private events business to as many as 350 events per year at Mercedes-Benz Stadium." The business will be "among the top revenue streams at the stadium, behind ticket sales and sponsorships, but possibly on par with food and beverage sales." One of the "most impressive spaces is the 20,000-square-foot Delta Sky360 Club." Drake: "This is probably our most sought-after space." Wenk notes AMB Group will have "five in-house event planners." Drake said that Mercedes-Benz Stadium will have "twice the number of catering managers and chefs as any other stadium" (ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE, 8/4 issue).
