If you have to travel around town, you may be dreading this weekend. Local businesses are not. They are shouting for joy. With at least four different major events happening over the Labor Day weekend, area businesses will be bringing in the cash.
Clifford Tukes, of the original Gyro King, says he's getting ready for the expected crowds.
"It's going to be non-stop, like 14, 15 hours straight," said Tukes.
Tukes is prepping for the thousands of people that will converge on downtown Atlanta over the Labor Day weekend. With plenty of events occurring over the holiday weekend, the city stands to bring in a lot of cash.
For the first time, Chick-fil-A is hosting two kickoff games.
"You've got four teams coming in from out of town and they have the majority of the tickets, unlike the Chick-fil-A Bowl where we sell a lot of tickets locally. These are people coming from out of town," said Gary Stokan, CEO and President of the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
The expected 135,000 college football fans are bringing about $50 million with them. The Chick-fil-A Bowl and kickoff games are two of the top five money-making conventions in the state. And rounding out that ranking is another guest this weekend – DragonCon.
"We're in downtown Atlanta. We take up five hotels. We've got almost 55,000 people expected this year. It's going to be an amazing event," said Dan Carroll of DragonCon
The attendees may dress up as their favorite science fiction or fantasy character, but their money is still good.
DragonCon usually adds about $40 million in revenue to the state. And when you add other events around town like NASCAR in Hampton, which organizers say is 49 percent out of town spectators, it only adds to the expected income for the area.
"Atlanta is kind of like the New York of the south, so for them to be able to come to some of these great restaurants we have, some of the great shopping we have in Atlanta and stay in beautiful hotels, it's a win, win, win for everybody," said Stokan.
Metro Atlanta boasts an $11 billion hospitality industry that sustains 230,000 jobs.
Friday, May 24 2013 4:02 AM EDT2013-05-24 08:02:00 GMT
A North Carolina dairy company is voluntarily recalling some ice cream that doesn't identify possible allergens because the product is packed in the wrong containers.
A North Carolina dairy company is voluntarily recalling some ice cream that doesn't identify possible allergens because the product is packed in the wrong containers.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:31 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:31:33 GMT
You've probably been to a yard sale or two in your life, and you might have found some great deals. But would you know how to get the most out of your own yard sale?
You've probably been to a yard sale or two in your life, and you might have found some great deals. But would you know how to get the most out of your own yard sale? Good Day's Tacoma Perry talked to an expert who shared some great tips for how to make your yard sale a huge hit.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:39 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:39:03 GMT
Gov. Nathan Deal says a company based in Dubai plans to build a manufacturing plant in Murray County with the goal of creating 200 jobs over the next three years.
Gov. Nathan Deal says a company based in Dubai plans to build a manufacturing plant in Murray County with the goal of creating 200 jobs over the next three years.
Yahoo is buying online blogging forum Tumblr for $1.1 billion as CEO Marissa Mayer tries to rejuvenate an Internet icon that had fallen behind the times.
After falling woefully out of fashion, Yahoo wants to be cool again while catering to the capitalistic demands of its shareholders. That goal led CEO Marissa Mayer to make a $1.1 billion bet on online blogging forum Tumblr...
