Downtown Atlanta Inc.’s Annual Meeting Breaks Records!

Click here to view our photo gallery of the event!

On March 11, 2026, 850 people packed the Oceans Ballroom at the Georgia Aquarium.

We listened to 13 speakers, including Governor Brian Kemp and Mayor Andre Dickens

We gave 6 awards to deserving downtown champions.

Dan Corso receiving the Marcus Downtown Economic Impact Award on behalf of the Atlanta Sports Council.

Atlanta United Club Ambassador and Sporting Advisor Brad Guzan and Atlanta Dream Guard Te-Hina Paopao presented the award.

Dorthey Hurst was awarded the Warner Bros. Discovery Community Leadership Award by APD Police Chief Darin Schierbaum and EVP of Integrity & Inclusion at CNN and TNT Sports, Johnita Due.

Our Ambassadors, Terrance Harper, recipient of the ATL DTN Rising Star Award, Chavon Ison, recipient of the ATL DTN Compassion in Action Award, and Neiman Beard, recipient of the ATL DTN Champion Award, with VP of Operations Marcus Mister.

Our president, AJ Robinson, joked that lifetime achievement award winner, Billy Payne, had a “warehouse of awards,” so we wanted to get him something special. Artist Sanithna Phansavanh was commissioned to create a piece of artwork of the statue of Billy that resides in Centennial Olympic Park.

Billy Payne received the Dan & Tally Sweat Lifetime Achievement Award.

AJ Robinson, wore a bespoke hat, inspired by Olympics mascot, Izzy, and created by local artist Lacey Longino, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 1996 Olympic Games in Centennial Park.

We were entertained by the band Ethel and the Shotters. (Freddie the Falcon is not a permanent member of the band.)

And the GSU Panther Band Drumline closed out the program with electrifying energy!

Local print shop Danger Press embroidered over 800 baseball caps to give out to attendees and celebrate the launch of our new brand.

We shared our 2025 Impact Report, and had a lot of fun with branding moments.

Shoutout to Son & Sons, OK Motion Club, and AS3 Storytelling for this beautiful video.

Our favorite mascots were in attendance. Harry the Hawk, Freddie the Falcon, GSU’s Pounce, and the Aquarium’s Mascot Deepo The Whale Shark took more photos than we could count.

Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated with us. It was a sold-out show, so be sure to become a Downtown Atlanta member to get first dibs on tickets to next year's celebration!