Press Release: Evergreen Conference Resort
December 11, 2000
STONE MOUNTAIN, GA -- Marriott's Evergreen Conference Resort broke ground Dec. 8 on an 87-room expansion project.
Scheduled to be completed in early fall 2001, the $6 million addition will give the four-diamond conference facility
a total of 336 guest rooms.
``The Evergreen Conference Resort expansion runs in concert with the overall growth and development of Stone Mountain
Park,'' said Ned Stancliff, vice president of Silver Dollar City's Stone Mountain operations. ``We're excited to
have a larger resort hotel that will entice travelers to extend their visit, especially at a time when new opportunities
lie ahead for Stone Mountain.'' Silver Dollar City assumed management of Stone Mountain Park in 1998 and since
has established plans to enhance and add to the park's popular attractions.
As the Evergreen Conference Resort strives to offer state-of-the-art meeting facilities and services, its new guest
rooms will offer an array of amenities catering to the business traveler. As with its current room inventory, each
of the new rooms will feature Marriott's patented ``Room That Works'' concept, which equips guest rooms with business-travel
amenities such as high-speed Internet access, work desks and data ports. The rooms also will have balcony views,
in-room refrigerators and other guest services.
``The leisure and business travel markets are rapidly growing beyond the downtown Atlanta area,'' said John Hearns,
general manager of the Evergreen Conference Resort, during a special groundbreaking ceremony held with local dignitaries
and key executives from Marriott and the Stone Mountain Memorial Association. ``With 87 more rooms, our facility
is well equipped to accommodate larger meeting groups and events - helping us continue to attract that business
segment to the Stone Mountain area.''
In addition to the conveniences featured in its guest rooms, Evergreen offers an abundance of other amenities for
meeting and conference attendees. The award-winning resort offers more than 31,000 square feet of meeting space
to accommodate small to mid-sized conferences, board meetings, training sessions, strategic planning sessions,
team building programs and executive retreats. Thirty-five dedicated meeting rooms, highlighted by the resort's
9,500 square-foot ballroom that divides into seven separate rooms and a 126- seat amphitheater, are available 24
hours to serve a variety of meeting needs.
Surrounded by 3,200 acres of natural woodlands, historic attractions and recreational areas that make up Georgia's
Stone Mountain Park, Evergreen Conference Resort also offers a variety of leisure activities for meeting attendees.
Fitness and sports enthusiasts will enjoy indoor and outdoor swimming, a full-service fitness center, jogging trails,
and an 18-court tennis complex with stadium seating -- a legacy of the 1996 Olympic Games. Additionally, Evergreen
has two nationally ranked, championship golf courses that make for great after-meeting challenges.
As Evergreen undergoes improvements and expansion, so does Stone Mountain Park. Nearly $20 million in capital improvements
is dedicated for 2001. Stone Mountain Park is enhancing existing attractions and adding new ones to celebrate the
fun, heritage and spirit of the South. After 17 years, the popular live show is back on the Stone Mountain Railroad
and the first new attraction in more than 30 years will debut in 2001. A $5 million interactive children's play
barn and new entertainment area called Plantation Ridge will open next summer. This marks the first phase in Stone
Mountain Park 's long- term plans to bring the story of the South to life through fun and compelling adventures
for the whole family.
The Evergreen Conference Resort has been an award-winning meeting facility since it opened in 1989. The acclaimed
meeting facility has been honored with some of the most prestigious awards and recognitions in the travel and meetings
industries, including the AAA four-diamond award, Paragon's ``Top 10 Conference Center'' award and the Corporate
Awards of Excellence.
Located just 16 miles east of Atlanta and 30 minutes from Hartsfield International Airport, Evergreen has a unique
combination of meeting facilities coupled with an array of recreational and leisure activities. For more information
on the Evergreen Conference Resort, guests may call (770) 879-9900 or visit the resort's Web site at www.evergreenresort.com
.
SOURCE: Evergreen Conference Resort