Gamebird 2006 is being held at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education on the campus of the University of Georgia. The Georgia Center will house a majority of conference events in addition to providing hotel accomodations for conference participants. Blocks of rooms have also been reserved for participants in hotels close to the Georgia Center. Conference registration and booking of hotels is being handled by the Georgia Center for continuing education. The Georgia Center will additionally provide wireless internet (free for conference participants) and well as more-traditional computer workstations to allow internet connectivity.

The University of Georgia is located in Athens, GA (map), a short drive from the state capital of Atlanta. For more information on the University, click here.

Athens is a small university community with a vibrant social scene. In addition to being the home of several well-known musical acts, Athens is additionally known for its numerous dining opportunities, off-beat shops located downtown, and as the home of the Georgia Bulldogs. For more information on Athens, click here or visit the Convention and Trade Bureau Website.

Shopping and Atlanta-related Activities

Athens is home to a number of eclectic shops, galleries, music stores and the like, all of which have something to offer. Within the greater Atlanta area, there is also the Buckhead District of Atlanta, the Mall of Georgia, Recreational Equipment Company, and Bass Pro Shop among others.

Atlanta additionally offers the possibility of an Atlanta Braves game in the spring.

Outdoor Activities

Athens is located in the northern portion of the piedmont physiographic region - therefore, we are not only located within an interesting ecoregion of our own, we are also closely situated to a number of other interesting areas. Primary among these being the foothills and mountains of the Appalachain Mountain Range to the north and the southern coastal plain to the south. Although much smaller than their western cousins, the Appalachains have much to offer in the way of biodiversity as well as outdoor activities. Below, we have attempted to list some activities that might be of interested.

National and State Parks

• Great Smokey Mountains National Park - one of the most diverse areas in the world
• Cumberland Island National Seashore - perhaps the most scenic beach on the eastern coast of the United States
• Amicalola Falls State Park - a beautiful state park, and the start of the famous Appalachain Trail
• Sapelo Island Reserve

Canoeing, Kayaking, and Rafting

Local

Broad River - 23 miles from Athens - Broad River Outpost

Two basic trips include the upper 5 miles (2-3 hours) or 10 miles (3-6 hours) of moving water and the lower 6.5 miles of class II beginner whitewater ( 3-4 hours). Times vary depending on water levels, skill levels and attitudes.

North Georgia/Tennessee Mountains

This area includes several rivers and some world class whitewater. Outfitters are suggested as several of these rivers are best traveled with a guide the first time around. Outfitters include:

• Nantahala Outdoor Center
• Ocoee Whitewater Rafting
• Wildwater Rafting

We have listed these outfitters as a service to you and do not recommend any particular outfitter

• Ocoee River - GA/TN: Site of the 1996 Olympic Whitewater Competition and home of some of the best class III and IV whitewater in the world.
• Chattooga River (section III and IV) - GA/SC: a 12 mile paddle on class III and IV rapids. This is where the movie Deliverance was filmed. Paddle through the Narrows, The Eye of the Needle and Bull Sluice. It's not much better than this!
• Nantahala River - NC: an 8 mile paddle in one of the most beautiful gorges in North America, a long class II section and class III rapids. Hiwassee River GA/TN: a 6 mile paddle on a class I-II rapids. Perfect for a family trip with rafters as young as 6 years old in our self-guided rafts and fun-yaks.
• Upper Chattahoochee - Atlanta: a great place for the weekend rafter that just can't get away. Raft for the day on Atlanta's Chattahoochee river in your self-guided raft. Great for kids as young as 8 and fun and cooling for everyone else!
• Cartecay River - GA: a 9 mile paddle on a long class II section and three class III rapids. A great river to learn on or to develop your intermediate whitewater skills.

Fishing

Fishing opportunities include a variety of species and location. Most commonly, anglers will be interested in largemouth bass and catfish. There is a range of pond, lake, reservoir, and rivers in the area.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources provides information on fishing in Georgia and purchasing licenses information. This site also lists rivers and lakes with public access.

Trout fishing in the North Georgia Mountains can run the gamut from fishing for small, stocked rainbow trout to pursuing trophy brown and rainbow trout along streams managed both publicly and privately.

Regulations along some stream reaches are highly variable, including laws prohibiting the use of live bait or barbed hooks or requiring the use of artificial bait only (usually with barbless hooks). Recommeded public fishing areas are the upper reaches of the Chattahoochee River (try just north of the intersection of 75A and 17 near Helen, GA) and Duke's Creek within the Smithgall Woods Conservation Area (free reservations are required - fishing is limited to 14 or so individuals per session).

Other Fishing Links

• Unicoi Oufitters
• Bass and other fishing on Lake Oconee
• Fishing Report for Lakes in Georgia

Shooting Sports/Sporting Clays

Brush Creek Sporting Club

Hiking

For information on hiking in the southern Appalachians in North Georgia try georgiatrails.com.