
Atlas Experiences
- Founded
- 2019-01-01 in Roswell, Georgia, USA
- Headquarters
- Roswell, Georgia, USA
Atlas Experiences, LLC is a specialized experiential marketing agency headquartered in Roswell, Georgia, focused exclusively on the regulated lottery and gaming industries. Founded in 2019 by U.S. Army veteran Derek Gwaltney, the company designs, produces, and manages high-stakes promotional campaigns that transform lottery second-chance drawings into immersive, luxury experiences. These include private concerts with headlining country music artists, custom interactive game shows, and all-inclusive incentive trips aboard private mega-yachts. Atlas acts as a turnkey partner for state lotteries, handling every aspect from creative concept and prize procurement to winner communication, logistics, and on-site event execution. The company’s proprietary game show format, Lucky Pik, and its ability to create emotional, memory-making moments have driven strong client loyalty and repeat business from major lotteries like Texas, Arizona, Florida, and Maryland. With a lean team of 11–50 employees, Atlas has earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies and won multiple NASPL Hickey Awards. The firm operates from a single office in Roswell and leverages exclusive partnerships, such as with SeaDream Yacht Club, to deliver premium, hard-to-replicate experiences.
Detailed Review
Business Model and Focus
Atlas Experiences distinguishes itself in the competitive landscape of experiential marketing by carving out a deep, niche specialization: the lottery and gaming industry. Rather than serving a wide array of corporate clients, the company dedicates its entire creative and logistical operation to helping state lotteries and gaming entities craft promotional programs that convert a simple ticket purchase into a potential life-changing, shareable memory. This singular focus allows Atlas to develop deep expertise on the regulatory and operational nuances of lottery promotions, which is a significant barrier to entry for generalist event agencies.
Services and Products
The company’s service suite is built around a "surprise and delight" model. A typical engagement involves constructing a fully themed winner experience such as a "Cash Castle" sweepstakes where a winner enters a real castle set for a chance at a million dollars, or a private concert with a headliner like Martina McBride or Luke Combs. Atlas handles all components: prize sourcing (luxury travel, private charters), game show production (its proprietary Lucky Pik format), retail activation materials, winner logistics, and live event execution. The company also runs multi-state linked promotional programs, enabling lotteries to pool resources for larger, more attractive prizes.
Market Position and Clients
From a financial and cultural standpoint, clients are drawn to the company's accountability and production value. Founder and CEO Derek Gwaltney has built a culture centered on reliability, detail-oriented execution, and what the firm calls "creating the emotional connection." This approach has resulted in repeat business from major lottery clients including the Texas Lottery, Arizona Lottery, Florida Lottery, and Maryland Lottery. The company’s growth trajectory—earned inclusion on the Inc. 5000 list and industry-specific awards from NASPL—indicates a strong alignment with client ROI expectations. A notable 2024 partnership with SeaDream Yacht Club further broadened its luxury capability, giving lottery clients exclusive access to small, high-end yacht charters for winner trips in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
Strategic Direction
Atlas Experiences is not a volume-driven, large-scale event producer. Its value proposition is precision: small, high-impact moments executed flawlessly for a niche but lucrative client base. The primary potential limitation is its narrow scope—brands outside the gaming/lottery vertical will find little direct relevance. However, within its chosen lane, Atlas operates as a premium, full-service specialist with a proven, award-winning track record. The company’s future likely involves expanding its "experience-as-a-prize" model into adjacent regulated gaming verticals (e.g., sports betting or iGaming promotions) while deepening its existing lottery relationships.
Key Products
Lucky Pik Game Show
A proprietary, fully produced interactive game show format designed for lottery second-chance promotions, customizable and staged at retail locations, events, or exclusive winner trips.
Second-Chance Promotional Programs
End-to-end management of non-winner ticket drawings, including online entry, winner selection, and prize fulfillment.
Custom Once-in-a-Lifetime Experiences
Bespoke winner packages such as private concerts with major artists, luxury yacht charters via SeaDream Yacht Club, and themed adventure trips like the Ireland "Cash Castle".
Incentive Travel Programs
Design and execution of multi-day, all-inclusive incentive trips for lottery winners and VIPs, often including exclusive events and high-end hospitality.
Private Concert Sourcing & Production
Full-service concierge booking for A-list musical talent, stage production, and logistics for private winner events.
Multi-State Linked Promotions
Turnkey management of promotional programs that operate across multiple state lotteries, combining prize pools for larger, more attractive giveaways.
Offices & Headcount
30 employees (approx.)
Key Persons
Derek GwaltneyFounder & CEO
- Jennifer Krenson
Speaker