Athens CVB Newsletter December 2012

Athens Now:

The monthly newsletter of the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau

In This Issue...

Meetings & Conventions Updates

Classic Center Expansion

Grow Your Business

Out and About with the CVB

Farewell

News You Can Use: 5 Things Meeting Planners Want in 2013

Meetings & Conventions Updates

Susan Cheshire, Chuck Jones, Alicia Brasher at GSAE Holiday Luncheon

The CVB partnered with The Classic Center at the Georgia Society of Association Executives (GSAE) Trade Show & Luncheon at the Georgia International Convention Center on November 14. The event netted seven promising, significant leads, and counting, for Athens.

The CVB was a co-sponsor of the GSAE Holiday Luncheon on December 12, along with with The Classic Center, UGA Hotel & Conference Center, and Farm Links (Alabama). Many key contacts were made, and Athens was spotlighted in a grand way, from exhibiting to making a presentation to the audience of close to 300 members and guests.

Classic Center Expansion

The Classic Center expansion, which will add an 8,000-sq.-ft. atrium and double the Exhibit Hall space and capacity to 6,000, continues to progress on schedule. Two weekends of Grand Opening festivities are planned. A free Community Open House will take place February 16, 2013, and feature musical and theatrical entertainment for all ages. On February 27, the Grand Opening Gala will be an elegant affair, followed by The Boston Pops playing in the Theatre.

Athens hoteliers got a sneak peek at The Classic Center expansion after their meeting on November 28.

Meeting Planners are saying, "Sign me up!" for the new Classic Center space.

Grow Your Business
- Don't Miss Out!

There are several upcoming opportunities for growing local businesses. Check these out!

Georgia Agritourism Conference
Owners and operators from Georgia's oldest, newest, and most successful agritourism destinations will gather to explore how to further develop their industry.

February 27 - March 1

UGA's Tifton Campus Conference Center

For more information, visit www.georgia-agritourism.org

Georgia Grown Executive Chef Program

Georgia Grown and the Georgia Restaurant Association are seeking applicants for the Georgia Grown Executive Chef Program, which promotes the Department's Georgia Grown campaign statewide. The program offers participating chefs a mark of honor and distinction, while increasing awareness for both restaurateurs and consumers about which local Georgia products are available for the cooking season. The application process runs through Jan. 11, 2013. Visit http://www.garestaurants.org/GeorgiaGrown to apply. The selected chefs will be announced at the Taste of Georgia Legislative Reception on Feb. 19, 2013.

Out and About with the CVB

Classic Center and CVB volunteers.

The CVB and The Classic Center again partnered on a community service project by serving a Thanksgiving meal at Action Ministries' Our Daily Bread on November 20. The CVB's Chuck Jones and Kelli McCain were among those who served meals to those gathered. Our thanks to The Classic Center's head of housekeeping, Maurice Derricotte, for organizing this wonderful opportunity.

Farewell

Several of our favorite folks are departing Athens. They've all made great contributions and will be missed.

Amy Clark departs Hotel Indigo-Athens to become a Director of Sales for the Atlanta CVB

Sarah Call departs The Classic Center for the City of Jefferson Parks & Recreation Department.

A-CC Public Information Officer Sandi Turner is moving to Los Angeles, where she'll work with marketing firm FITZ & CO.

Classic Center Director of Marketing Angi Harben is now Director of Communications for Georgia Credit Union Affiliates in Duluth.

April Skelton, CVB Information Coordinator, returns to school full-time in January for a career in physical therapy. While not leaving Athens, we sure will miss her at the CVB!

Job Opportunities at the CVB and The Classic Center are posted on their respective websites: www.VisitAthensGA.com
www.ClassicCenter.com