Economic impact hits GNFA from Coronavirus concerns

The Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority met by conference call Wednesday afternoon. The authority meets once a month to conduct business, and the first three months, the meetings are held in Atlanta at the Georgia Capitol Building. The remainder of the year the authority meets at the Georgia National Fairgrounds.

Stephen Shimp, Executive Director of the Georgia National Fairgrounds, said the authority felt it was best to take safe measures in conducting the meeting by conference call. He also said the fairgrounds is also taking all necessary precautions.

“The Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter are taking all precautions necessary to ensure the cleanliness and safety of our facility,” Shimp said. “We have placed hand sanitizing stations throughout the grounds and have anti-bacterial hand wash in all restrooms. All areas are cleaned daily with the proper disinfecting agent. We ask that all visitors take the necessary precautions while here to help us keep all areas clean and properly maintained. We will continue business as usual and look forward to seeing all of our great events at your “home away from home.”

Shimp said the fairgrounds is seeing a financial impact from two events that have canceled; the Georgia State Good Sam Spring RV Rally and a national robotics competition. The two events together total almost $200,000.

“We do not put on these events,” Shimp said. “We certainly understand why the event coordinators have made the decision to cancel; we want everyone to take the necessary precautions.”

During the meeting, Shimp also gave an update of the hotel proposal for the fairgrounds. He said the staff and authority are currently in the negotiation phase with LNW Hospitality. The company designed the Westin on Jekyll Island.

“Discussions are going well,” Shimp said. “Within the next couple of months, we hope to come to a final decision. From there, after the agreements are signed, will come the design phase. This is going to be a great addition to the fairgrounds and it will benefit, not just the fairgrounds, but the city and county as well.”

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