Athens CVB Newsletter February 2013

Athens Now:

The monthly newsletter of the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau

In This Issue...

Tourism & Hospitality Day

Sales Updates: RCMA

Hospitality Newsmakers: Terrapin, Spectacular Now, GMOA

Out and About with the CVB: Tours, Wine Weekend, Herschel

Tourism & Hospitality Day at the Georgia Capitol

The 2013 Travel Guide was unveiled at Tourism Day

Governor Nathan Deal joined Georgia tourism leaders on January 29 for the annual Tourism & Hospitality Day to spotlight the major contribution the industry makes to Georgia's economy. Representatives from the tourism industry presented Deal with a check representing the $1.263 billion in state tax revenue generated from tourism-related expenditures in 2011.

"Georgia's tourism industry is a main driver of our economy and employment with 10.3 percent of all jobs in the state directly or indirectly sustained by tourism activities," said Deal. "The tourism industry has a positive effect on nearly every community in Georgia."

January 29 was a significant day for Athens-Clarke County at the state Capitol. In addition to the CVB's Hannah Smith, members of the
Athens Cultural Affairs Commission
paid visits to the Athens legislative delegation and joined the Athens and Oconee Chambers of Commerce for a luncheon. The Chambers spent the day at the Capitol meeting with our legislators.

Sales Updates

Paul Cramer meets with a meeting planner at RCMA.

CVB Director Chuck Jones, Classic Center Executive Director Paul Cramer, and new Sales Account Executive Marvin Nunnally attended the Religious Conference Management Association's (RCMA) Emerge 2013 Conference in Minneapolis Jan. 29-31, where they promoted The Classic Center expansion that allows Athens to host larger and more regional/national religious gatherings. Athens gained 80 contacts/leads at RCMA. It is critical now that follow-up be done on these leads, which has already begun. A number of site inspections are already in the works.

January was a strong month for meetings and conventions. The sales team booked a total of 21 groups in January, with a projected 23,810 total attendees and direct spending of $12,548,888.

Sales Director Tripp McKenney and Sales Manager Kelli McCain are attending the Georgia Society of Association Executives Quarterly Luncheon in Atlanta on February 20.

UPCOMING: Tripp McKenney will attend the National Association of Sports Commissions Sports Event Symposium in Louisville April 22-25, in partnership with Georgia Sports.

Hospitality Newsmakers

The new brewhouse at Terrapin.

Terrapin Brewery has completed installation of the new 100 BBL (barrel) brewhouse. In celebration, Terrapin has introduced Tree Hugger, a brand-new beer for the brand-new brewhouse. It's the start of some exciting times at the brewery!

The Spectacular Now, which filmed exclusively in Athens last summer, became one of the darlings of the Sundance Film Festival and will be released this summer by film distributor A2. Director James Ponsoldt is from Athens. We can't wait to see Athens on the big screen in a critically acclaimed project by up-and-coming stars like Academy Award nominee Shailene Woodley!

The Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries (GAMG) honored the Georgia Museum of Art (GMOA) at the University of Georgia with two awards associated with its members and exhibitions. Carl Mullis III received the Patron of the Year Award for his continual support of the museum, and "Georgia Bellflowers: The Furniture of Henry Eugene Thomas" received the award for museum exhibition of the year. The awards were announced at GAMG's annual conference, held in Athens January 23-25 at GMOA.

Out and About with the CVB

CVB and Classic Center staffers

On January 31, it was All Aboard Classic City Tours for new staff at the CVB and The Classic Center. Our employees toured attractions and historic sites throughout Athens and on the UGA campus, learning fun facts along the way that they can now share with visitors and residents alike. Classic City Tours offers heritage tours seven days a week and can schedule a personal tour for other hospitality businesses who would like to make this opportunity available to their staffs. Contact Evelyn Reece at 706-353-1820 for more information and reservations.

CVB Director Chuck Jones and Director of Marketing and Communications Hannah Smith attended the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (GACVB) Winter Meeting, held in Peachtree City February 11 - 13.

CVB Sales Manager Kelli McCain & Tripp McKenney attended the Seeing Is Believing Tour for Clarke County School District on February 14 and will attend the 110th Annual Meeting of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce (February 18), and the Foundry Park Inn & Spa Bridal Show (February 24).

Chuck Jones and Kelli McCain attended the grand opening of Herschel's Famous 34 Pub and Grill on Friday, February 1. The Heisman winner himself played host. We're looking forward to having Herschel Walker back in town!

Wine Weekend

Athens Wine Weekend 2013 was a resounding success; all events were sell-outs, and those who attended had an amazing time, including CVB staffers Chuck Jones and Kelli McCain, pictured here with Allen Seigler, executive director of Georgia Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA).