The convention auditorium, the Georgia World Congress Centre (GWCC), with its world-class features – the aesthetics, vintage architecture, rich graphic tapestry, lighting, and general layout- did not disappoint. The cameras captured what their lenses focused on; these were there for all to behold.
Twenty-two thousand faces were physically and digitally linked, primarily women, many of whom have been beneficiaries of all the ministry of Bishop T.D. Jakes was connected.
At the center, they snapped up the available seats. After all, this was the homecoming. It would be a farewell to cherish long after the curtain call for Woman Thou Art Loosed!
They arrived with full expectations and waited with bated breath. It was an expectation that God’s presence could be a parting gift delivered in this three-day rain of manna.
Others came with thanksgiving offerings, as is typically the practice, to show gratitude to the benevolent God that the Bishop has been preaching to them for three decades. Like prayer, it was two-way traffic – giving and receiving. It was arguably the most prominent Christian women’s event in the country and perhaps the world.
Atlanta, Georgia, became the cynosure of all eyes.
Atlanta, the host city
The city of Atlanta, rich in cultural and tourist interests that hosts millions of people annually, opened up to WTAL participants. Those who were physically present in the city for the women’s event regaled in its splendor.
A tourist destination par excellence, a guided tour would have been well worth the homecoming of WTAL. Arranged for the pleasure of the individual are 16 places, with the world-class Centennial Olympic Park located in the heart of the designated places for excursion.
Nearby, and expectedly, is the center of attraction, the venue for the conference – the Georgia World Congress Center.
The itinerary included places such as GWCC/CNN Center near Ted Turner Drive, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Home Depot Backyard, Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, The Yard Milkshake Bar, The Atlanta Breakfast Club, and Georgia Aquarium. Others include The World of Coca-Cola, Sky View Atlanta, Fairlie Poplar District on Forsyth Street, and Apex Museum on Piedmont Avenue, Atlanta Food Tours, Folk Art Park, and Hard Rock Cafe.
Indeed, as the organizers promised, it will turn up the heat in Atlanta one last time. It also lined up a Dr. Martin Luther King Tour. It was a wow!
It was real fun for air travelers, with American Airlines and Delta Airlines putting forward their best foot. The organizer directs participants to specific promotional codes for applicable special discounts. At different points, sponsors and regular service contractors jostle to make the best of this final event.
The hospitality service
Top-rated hotels such as Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Reverb By Hard Rock Downtown Atlanta, Courtyard Atlanta Downtown, The American Hotel Atlanta Downtown, and Sheraton Atlanta Hotel were on hand to serve.
GWCC – the heart of the event
The center has prided itself since its establishment in 1971 to be an international trade and exhibition hub. The authority overseeing the campus has spent about U$360 million for expansion in the last ten years. It has a world-class convention center.
Now, it is home to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Centennial Olympic Park (this came into place when Atlanta hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics games).
It plans to open its headquarters hotel under the wings of Hilton Atlanta in 2023.
A thoroughly gender-sensitive organization, GWCC has a lot of women in places of authority. From the executive team to administration, women hold key positions as a matter of policy. They are found in the security, commercial services, client and guest services, sales, marketing, and communication, as well as the Business office.
It has had a very cordial relationship with TD Jakes Foundation, which oversees WTAL.
Social media buzz for WTAL
As activities were up and running, promo tweets were already upbeat.
Check out this: Join @FirstLadyJakes, @SJakesRoberts, and @CallmeCora7 for #GirlTalk one last time… when these three powerhouses come together, you know it is going to be big.
On most official Twitter handles, tweets conveying excitement, congratulatory messages for Pastor Sarah, the anointed leader of the new woman conference, Women Evolve, and even promos for its 2023 outing. It was really bubbly.