Forward Conference

Forward Conference fills Gas South Arena with student groups arriving from across the Southeast, and most groups want lodging close enough to keep their schedule predictable. Courtyard Atlanta Duluth/Gwinnett Place sits a short drive from the venue, which makes mornings calmer when you're trying to load a bus or van full of students before the first session.

Youth pastors and trip leaders often tell us the hardest part of a multi-day conference is the gap between sessions — when teens need a quiet place to recharge, leaders need a quick spot to regroup, and families traveling with younger kids need somewhere convenient to nap or eat. A nearby Duluth hotel can take pressure off all of that without adding traffic time to the day.

Production teams, worship bands, and speakers typically arrive a day early for load-in and rehearsal. For those guests, proximity to Gas South Arena matters more than almost anything else, and Duluth/Gwinnett Place is a practical base while still feeling separate from the venue's busiest exits.

Before the opening session, groups often grab quick meals along Pleasant Hill Road and Satellite Boulevard, where chains and locally-owned spots both serve large parties without much wait.

Between sessions, leaders sometimes head back to the hotel for a planning huddle, a quiet call home, or a chance to count heads before reloading vehicles. A nearby room block makes that round-trip realistic instead of stressful.

After the closing night, many groups want a slow morning before driving home. Late checkout availability varies, so it's worth requesting early when you book.