Why we love it: Known as the Heart of Georgia, Macon offers a diverse cultural and historical heritage of American history, from pre-Colonial to Civil War to rock ‘n’ roll. Macon has meeting venues ranging from the former home of the famed Allman Brothers Band to the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, the largest state sports museum in the U.S.
Standout feature: A long tradition of soul and Southern rock music. Macon is the former home of Little Richard and Otis Redding, and also the place where James Brown recorded his first single. Capricorn Records launched the music careers of the Allman Brothers Band, the Marshall Tucker Band and Wet Willie. You can still see Little Richard around town occasionally.
Convene here: Anderson Conference Center.
Conveniently located near I-475, the center has more than 20,000 sq. ft. Of meeting space.
Stay here: Macon Marriott City Center. The property connects to the Macon Centreplex, composed of the Macon Coliseum, the Edgar H. Wilson Convention Centre and the Macon Auditorium, with a total of 140,000 sq. ft. Of event space.
Off-site here: Hay House. With capacity for up to 240 guests, this exquisite circa mid-1800s house was inspired by Florentine and Roman architecture and features 24-karat-gold leafing and stained glass. Hay House is a National Historic Landmark.
Bond here: The Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House. This is a fabulous musical history experience, where you can explore the world’s largest collection of Allman Brothers memorabilia and sit on the front porch where Duane Allman and Berry Oakley spent countless hours. An outdoor pavilion features a kitchen and a capacity of 500 for banquets and 800 for receptions.
Listen here: Grant’s Lounge. One of the oldest bars in Macon, it was also one of the first bars in the area to integrate after segregation in the South. This classic lounge has hosted a long list of performers, including Otis Redding.
http://smartmeetings.com/event-planning-magazine/2012/09/sweet-george/destination
