A Meeting Planner’s Guide to Community Engagement in Atlanta

By Discover Atlanta Editorial Team

Published March 6, 2025
Last Updated April 16, 2025

Show up. Take notes. Leave unchanged? Not at an Atlanta meeting. We want people to arrive with anticipation and depart with inspiration. Today, meeting attendees are looking for more than just a date on the calendar – they want opportunities to connect, engage and be a part of something bigger.

You can help create something meaningful that leaves a legacy for your attendees and those around them by incorporating community engagement into the experience.

But how?

Before you begin planning your community engagement activities, take a moment to get clear on your goals.

Community Engagement Goals, Actionable Tips and Resources

Here are six common community engagement goals, actionable tips and resources – from donating and sponsorships to hands-on volunteering – to help you get started.

Take note: Many organizations can meet many different goals. So, get creative and find what works for you.

1. Enhance the attendee experience

If your goal is to create more attendee engagement and weave local culture, arts and community elements into the experience, here are ideas.

Partner with local artists for live performances, organize community-led workshops or include local cuisine in catering. Some of Atlanta’s organizations that can help you achieve this goal include:

• Atlanta Humane Society: Incorporate animal therapy or pet adoptions as part of event programming.
• Foundation for Hospital Art: Volunteer in the studio or organize mural painting sessions for attendees as a hands-on activity.
• National Black Arts Festival: Feature performances or art exhibits highlighting local culture.

2. Promote social responsibility and sustainability

Suppose your goal is to demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility by implementing sustainability and supporting community causes. In that case, you can organize community service projects, ensure the event adheres to green practices or support local initiatives through donations or sponsorships.

Some of Atlanta’s organizations that can help you achieve this goal include:

• Atlanta Community Food Bank: Organize food sorting and packing drives with attendees to enrich equitable food systems and local support.
• MedShare International: Participate in sorting and preparing medical supplies for underserved areas.
• Chattahoochee Riverkeeper: Incorporate a river clean-up activity into the event schedule.
• Live Thrive’s CHaRM: Host recycling and sustainability workshops for attendees, assist at Centers for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) stations, sort materials, participate in lot clean-ups, garden maintenance and more.
• Trees Atlanta: Sponsor a project or offer tree-planting workshops or community greenery initiatives.

3. Support DEI initiatives

If your goal is to reflect the diversity of the local community and promote equitable participation, partner with ATL’s minority-owned businesses, ensure diverse representation in speakers and panels or support local DEI initiatives through donations or sponsorships.

Some of Atlanta’s organizations that can help you achieve these goal include:

• 100 Black Men of America, Inc.: Partner to create mentorship and leadership development opportunities.
• SisterLove Inc.: Include the organization’s board members or partners as session experts or incorporate one of the programs into your agenda.
• Urban League of Greater Atlanta: Support the Urban League mission through sponsorship or participation in initiatives.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Engage in DEI-focused youth programs and mentorship.

4. Foster local economic impact

If your goal is to support the local economy, incorporate local vendors, businesses and talent into your planning and execution. Here are some ways to accomplish that goal.

Hire a local catering company to provide authentic Southern cuisine or partner with a local business to offer exclusive discounts to attendees. Some Atlanta organizations that can help you achieve this goal include:

• Atlanta Braves Foundation: Partner with this foundation to help enrich projects for children, families and vulnerable communities.
• Café Momentum: Partner with this restaurant to provide food and support the mission.
• Dress for Success Atlanta: Organize a special benefit or include initiatives in your corporate giving programs.
• Giving Kitchen: Support the mission through corporate sponsorship or partner with the organization to support Atlanta’s food service workers in crisis.

5. Increase event visibility and attendance

If your goal is to actively engage with the local community and ensure that it feels included and valued, you can organize pre-event activities that are open to the public, offer exclusive discounts to residents or partner with local businesses to promote the event.

Some of Atlanta’s organizations that can help you achieve this goal include:

Cricket Celebration Bowl: Promote events to the local community through public activities.

• Gateway Center: Host public-facing initiatives such as meal preparation or clean-ups for residents.
• Refuge Coffee Co.: Partner with the café for community events and gatherings while supporting the organization’s mission to empower resettled refugees through job training and mentorship.

6. Build stronger relationships with the community

Suppose your goal is to establish long-term relationships within the community or with organizations and businesses. In that case, you can host a reception with local business leaders or partner with a nonprofit to offer volunteer opportunities and build a meaningful network.

Some of Atlanta’s organizations that can help you achieve this goal include:

• BeLoved Atlanta: Collaborate on meaningful workshops, community mentorships and volunteering efforts.
• Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta: Build relationships through networking and support programs such as volunteering, partnerships, donations and in-kind contributions.
• Georgia Citizens Coalition on Hunger: Partner on food drives and hunger initiatives.
• Hands On Atlanta: As a partner to many of the city’s nonprofits, Hands On Atlanta can connect you with different nonprofit organizations, help you find the right project for your group and provide you with program opportunities.

Contact Us

If you’re interested in learning more about community engagement in ATL or would like to connect with local experts and resources, reach out to the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB). Our team offers a range of services and support to help you plan a successful and engaging meeting or event.