Georgia Dome profits down in October

Despite the Atlanta Falcons’ winning ways, the Georgia Dome is facing tough economic times.

Operators had anticipated profit of $20.2 million in October, but actually made $1 million less. The reason: a $1 million-plus shortfall in the sale of suite licenses, Georgia World Congress Center Director Dan Graveline told the GWCC Authority board Tuesday. The GWCC operates the dome, the GWCC convention center and Centennial Olympic Park.

Graveline said another problem has been advertising sales, which are down because of the recession. The facility has been able to offset some of the loss in anticipated revenue by lowering expenses, Graveline said.

The Congress Center and Centennial Olympic Park, however, held their own during October, the most recent month for which numbers are available.