By: Stan Hall, President & CEO of Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau
DULUTH, Ga. | Gas South District’s numbers tell a story: It is a regional powerhouse in economic impact and event volume.
Gas South District is not just a gathering place for events—it’s a high-performing economic engine for Gwinnett County and the metro Atlanta region. With hard statistics across revenue, attendance, venue usage, and regional return on investment, the numbers reveal the true scale and scope of the district’s influence.
Gas South District operates at a scale that rivals top-tier venues across the country. Its event volume, technical capacity, and revenue generation place it firmly among the elite in its class. Backed by steady investment and growing demand, the district continues to anchor Gwinnett County’s economic and cultural growth.
The combined operations of Gas South Arena, Gas South Theater, and the Gas South Convention Center have generated more than $1 billion in total economic activity to Gwinnett County. That figure includes direct event revenue, visitor spending on hotels, taxes, and transportation, as well as induced job growth across hospitality and tourism sectors.
Gas South Arena
Gas South Arena is ranked number 17 in the world by Billboard Magazine among venues with seating capacities between 10,000 and 15,000, based on gross revenue. With a 13,000-seat capacity, the arena hosts more than 400 events per year, drawing over 1.5 million guests annually.
Say it again: that’s more than one event a day on average for the year!
The Arena’s average attendance per event exceeds 85 percent of capacity, reflecting consistent demand for concerts, sports, and family shows, including:
- $50 million in annual direct ticket revenue;
- 1,200+ jobs supported through arena operations, staffing, and vendors;
- Events drive over $350 million in local visitor spending annually;
- Venue utilization rate exceeds 90 percent on active nights; and
- Generates more than $10 million annually in tax revenue from ticket sales, lodging, and sales taxes.
Gas South Theater
With 708 seats and a stage deeper than Atlanta’s Fox Theatre, Gas South Theater is one of metro Atlanta’s most technically capable performing arts venues. The stage supports complex touring shows and large set pieces, with specifications rivaling the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
Numbers show that the theatre has:
- 75+ performances annually;
- 95 percent+ average ticket sales per performance over the past three years;
- $8 million+ in direct revenue annually; and
- 150+ jobs supported through theater tech, crew, and front-of-house.
Gas South Convention Center
The Convention Center brings in 150+ conventions, expos, and meetings each year, serving as a critical driver for weekday and off-peak economic activity. It includes:
- 90,000 square foot exhibit hall, 21,600 sq. ft. ballroom, and
- 23 meeting rooms, 200,000+ annual attendees;
- Over $25 million in direct economic impact per year; and
- Contributes significantly to Gwinnett’s 70–75 percent hotel occupancy rates, which are well above national averages.
A recently approved $170 million renovation will modernize the Gas South Arena, upgrade fan amenities, and extend the facility’s competitive lifespan. A new parking deck with 1,200+ spaces will increase accessibility and support rising attendance.