Athens CVB Newsletter September 2012

Athens Now:

The monthly newsletter of the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau

In This Issue...

CVB Annual Meeting

GSAE Meets in Athens

Hospitality Newsmakers

Event Highlights: Ballooniversity

Out & About with the CVB

Join Us!

Annual Meeting, & Downtown Planning

annual meeting

The CVB is holding two valuable upcoming meetings for the Athens hospitality industry.

Please join us for our

Annual Meeting

Thursday, Sept. 20

We'll hear from Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, plus get an update on the local growth of Georgia's hot new film industry from our Camera Ready Liaison Jeff Montgomery. Of course, Chuck Jones will have the most recent economic impact statistics and information on the CVB's FY 13 program of work, and we'll also be presenting our Annual Hospitality Awards.

The following Thursday, Sept. 27, former UGA College of Environment and Design Dean Jack Crowley will be asking our industry: "What should Downtown Athens be?" Here's your chance to provide feedback for consideration in the development of the Downtown Athens Master Plan.

We hope to see you at these gatherings! See the "Save the Date" column to the right for full time-date-location-RSVP details.

Athens Hosts Assn. Executives

Athens had an exceptional opportunity to showcase our destination to about two dozen Georgia Society of Association Executives, who met here August 30-31 for a leadership strategic planning session. While in Athens, the attendees experienced firsthand our first-class facilities and entertainment. We think there's no better way to convince these decision-makers that Athens is the perfect spot for the multitude of Georgia associations they represent, so we're looking forward to many bookings to follow.

Hospitality Newsmakers

Steve Vining Foundry Chef

The Athens chapter of the American Culinary Federation, The Classic City Chefs & Cooks Association, has chosen Foundry Park Inn & Spa Executive Chef Steve Vining as its 2012 Chef of the Year. In May, Chef Vining was promoted to Executive Chef at the Foundry Park Inn & Spa after having served as Head Banquet Chef for the previous four years. As executive chef, Vining oversees the entire food and beverage operations of the Foundry Park Inn & Spa, from banquet and special events, off-site catering, and culinary team building exercises to the Hoyt House restaurant and Melting Point pub kitchens.
Sales Manager Danielle Evans' last day with the CVB was September 6. She has returned to the Ritz Carlton Reynolds Plantation to work in their sales department. The CVB thanks Danielle for her service over the past year and wishes her every success at her new position and in her upcoming marriage!
The Athens Area Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce the hiring of Michelle Sligh, who will be responsible for overseeing the front desk at the Chamber of Commerce and will fulfill a number of duties on behalf of the Chamber, the Economic Development Foundation, and the Athens Downtown Development Authority.

Event Highlights:
Ballooniversity

Athens was honored to host Ballooniversity®'s Homecoming Gala, which brought over 700 customers, employees, and dignitaries to The Classic Center August 22 - 25. Athens-Clarke County Mayor Nancy Denson presented a ceremonial Key to the City to Maxine and Bob Burton in honor of burton + BURTON™'s 30th Anniversary. Founded in 1982, family-owned burton + BURTON™ has grown into the largest supplier of balloons and coordinating gifts in the world. In addition, Georgia Lt. Governor Casey Cagle presented a Commendation recognizing the 30th

anniversary and thanking burton + BURTON™ for their role in creating jobs for the state of Georgia. Cagle also read a letter from Governor Nathan Deal congratulating the company on 30 successful years, and shared with the crowd that the governor's office had declared September as International Balloon Month.

Out and About with the CVB

The latest stop on CVB Director Chuck Jones's trivia road show tour was at Coldwell Banker Upchurch Realty on Aug. 21. The trivia-based format continues to be a crowd pleaser. Between 30 and 40 people took the test, and Eric Vaughn was the winner. Congratulations, Eric!

Chuck Jones participated in an economic development panel discussion with LEAD Athens on Sept. 13. This panel was a wonderful opportunity for the CVB to explain our role in the community and how it helps to create jobs and tax base for Athens-Clarke County.

Hannah Smith accompanied the current Bread for Life class August 30 on an evening itinerary to sample the breadth of local hospitality jobs as well as qualities employers are looking for in job applicants. Representatives from the Athens Welcome Center/Classic City Tours, East-West Bistro, Foundry Park Inn & Spa, and the Lyndon House Arts Center participated.

September 2012