Cobb Galleria Centre, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre and ArtsBridge Foundation recently released their joint 2016 Annual Report, which reflects a mission of serving the community, guests and employees.

Based on an economic impact study performed by an independent consulting firm, Cobb Galleria Centre and Cobb Energy Centre created 1,470 jobs in 2016 and generated approximately $155 million in overall economic impact for Cobb County and the State of Georgia. Approximately $8.1 million in sales, income, local option, hotel/motel and liquor by the drink taxes are directly attributable to events held at the Cobb Galleria Centre and Cobb Energy Centre. In 2016, the convention center produced a total of 669 events with attendance of 344,000. The performing arts center hosted a total of 270 events with attendance of 279,000.

ArtsBridge Foundation, the arts education outreach arm of the Cobb Energy Centre, reached 45,266 students and educators in 2016 through field trips, master classes, educational experiences and the Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards – The Shuler Awards. An impressive 223 schools participated in field trip programs, and a record-breaking 59 high schools were part of the Shulers. ArtsBridge doubled ticket and bus subsidies in 2016, reaching 93 Title 1 schools.

“An excellent year by many measures, 2016 proved to be a rewarding year for the Cobb Galleria Centre. For 22 consecutive years, we have realized an operating profit,” said Michele Swann, General Manager and CEO of the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority, the governing body for Cobb Galleria Centre, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre and ArtsBridge Foundation. “While our venues’ financial performance, attendance numbers and economic impact results were among the best we’ve realized in years, we are especially proud of how the activity level at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre has ramped up over the last year.”