Atlanta, Ga (06/20/2012) - The Georgia Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (GaMPI) has just announced its Phoenix Award finalists for 2012. The Georgia Tech Global Learning Center, a professional meeting and learning facility connected to the Georgia Tech campus, is one of three facilities vying for Venue of the Year. Winners will be determined through an online voting process, which is open to MPI members until June 27.

The Phoenix Awards is GaMPI's signature awards gala and dinner that celebrates the incredible achievements of its members. Winners will be announced on June 28, 2012 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. This year’s theme is Le Ball Masque, which is GaMPI’s version of the Academy Awards.

Located in Midtown Atlanta, the Georgia Tech Global Learning Center has earned an international reputation for corporate and professional meeting venues. It hosts over 800 meeting and educational sessions with more than 20,000 attendees on an annual basis. The 32,000-square-foot facility is unlike many hotels and event locations because its mission is to provide a learning-conducive environment for its clients in the form of conferences, meetings, seminars, and classes focused on professional development and education. As part of its all-inclusive, comprehensive meeting and event planning services, clients have the flexibility to choose and schedule events in the Center’s amphitheaters, conference rooms and computer labs that are equipped with advanced state-of-the-art technology.

“We are very humbled to be one of the Venue of the Year finalists,” said Phyllis Harris, CMP, director of operations for Georgia Tech Professional Education. “The Georgia Tech Global Learning Center applies every resource to create a perfect setting for pivotal meetings where corporate employees and professionals can engage in productive learning. This honor is a testament to the dedication and talent of our staff and how they serve our clients.”

Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is the premier organization devoted to the educational and professional needs of people in the meeting industry. With over 20,000 members globally, MPI serves both meeting planners and suppliers to the industry. Throughout the year, GaMPI offers superior educational opportunities including retreats and workshops, coordinates several social outings annually, as well as networking receptions prior to each monthly meeting. For more information, visit: www.gampi.org.

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About Georgia Tech Professional Education

Georgia Tech Professional Education is an academic division of the Georgia Institute of Technology, which consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. Professional Education offers professional master's programs, short courses, and certificate programs to meet the needs of working professionals and industry partners. Programs are available worldwide through a variety of face-to-face, blended learning, online and/or distance learning modalities. In addition to professional course offerings, the division administers K-12 outreach and English proficiency programs, and manages a meeting and event facility. Professional Education serves and educates more than 3,100 companies and over 13,000 individuals on an annual basis, and is located at the Georgia Tech Global Learning Center in Atlanta and at the Georgia Tech-Savannah campus.