Athens CVB Newsletter Summer 2013

Athens Now:

The monthly newsletter of the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau

In This Issue...

Chuck Jones Named to GTF Board

HIgh-Speed Rail

Georgia GOP Convention

Media Coverage

Sales Updates

Out and About with the CVB

Hospitality Newsmakers

Chuck Jones named to Georgia Tourism Foundation Board of Directors

Georgia Governor Nathan Deal has appointed Chuck Jones to the Georgia Tourism Foundation board of directors. The mission of the Georgia Tourism Foundation, under the administration of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, is to increase the economic strength of Georgia by promoting tourism through public/private partnerships.

Jones is joined on the 10-member board by the executive director of the Atlanta CVB and president of the Georgia Association of CVBs (who's also the executive director of the Milledgeville CVB), as well as representatives from the lodging, attractions, agritourism, and development industries, along with State Representative Ron Stephens, who is chair of the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee. His swearing-in ceremony will be held July 18.

High-Speed Rail

Athens was heavily represented at a June 4 public meeting in Suwanee to provide feedback on proposed rail lines to link Atlanta and Charlotte, North Carolina, with representatives of the CVB, The Classic Center, the Athens-Clarke County government, and the University of Georgia in attendance.

The proposed high speed rail project is designed eventually to connect Atlanta to Washington, D.C. Six routes are currently being considered for the Atlanta to Charlotte portion of the project. One of those routes would utilize the existing CSX Transportation right-of-way between Atlanta and Chester, S.C., via Athens and Norfolk Southern right-of-way between Chester and Charlotte via Rock Hill, S.C.

Classic Center Executive Director Paul Cramer, who was in attendance, was quoted in the Athens Banner-Herald in support of the project: "A rail line would be one of the greatest things that could happen to this community." He continued to state that the rail line would boost local tourism and economic development, in no small part by bringing additional meetings and conventions to the community. Commuter rail "is a difficult and expensive thing to start, but it'll never get here if we don't start the discussion."

The CVB encourages Athenians to continue to weigh in on the project, with more information and contacts listed at the project website, www.dot.ga.gov/AtlantaCharlotteHSR.

Georgia GOP Convention

Chuck Jones and Paul Cramer
on the Tim Bryant show.

What a great showing by Athens and The Classic Center at the recent Georgia GOP Convention May 16-18! The political event received local, state, and national media exposure.

The convention was an outstanding opportunity to showcase the expanded Classic Center to thousands of individuals, many of whom had not previously visited Athens. Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, from Athens, took time to share attendees' feedback in a letter to the Athens Banner-Herald: "This[high] level of service, combined with a great facility, and an even greater town, makes Athens a great host for these events. I can't remember how many people told me over the course of the weekend, 'We need to come back to Athens.' We can all have different opinions on politics, policy and who we vote for, but we can all agree that everybody loves Athens."

Indeed, the Georgia Republican Party has voted to return to Athens in 2015. Return business is a true testament to Athens' success as a destination and convention host.

The CVB extends our thanks to all in the local hospitality industry for setting such high standards, which definitely DO return great dividends to our entire community!

Recent Media Coverage

Not just any national coverage, but from the top lifestyle, travel, and music publications around!

The New York Times featured a slideshow on July 12 entitled "In Athens, Ga, a Downtown Renaissance." The CVB has assisted travel journalist Alex Crevar with prior visits to Athens.

Southern Living debuted its new "Word of Mouth" feature with a visit to Athens, facilitated by the CVB. In addition to online, it has been printed in at least two of its regional editions.

Travel + Leisure magazine has named Trappeze Pub one of America's Best College Bars. The CVB facilitated images for the feature.

Rolling Stone magazine has named the 40 Watt Club one of its "Venues that Rock: The Best Clubs in America."

11 Alive came to Athens on Monday, June 17 to film a "One Tank Trip" Segment. The segment aired on June 24 & was rebroadcast on June 25.

Georgia Traveler will film in Athens on Friday, July 26 for their upcoming season. The Athens segment is scheduled to air this fall in episode 2.

And, be on the lookout for the Sept./Oct. issue of Garden & Gun, which plans to cover Athens Food Tours' fall Agro Cycle Tour!

Keep up with Athens rankings and media coverage at the media section of the CVB's website, http://www.visitathensga.com/media/athens-in-the-news/.

Sales Updates

For May-June, the CVB booked 12 future meetings/conventions with:

4,435 anticipated room nights
Expected attendance of 3,415
Projected direct spending of $1.72 mil.

Sales Director Tripp McKenney and Classic Center Convention Sales Manager Alicia Brasher attended the Georgia Society of Association Executives (GSAE) Annual Meeting May 29-31 in Augusta, where they made 170 industry contacts. McKenney and CVB Sales Manager Kelli McCain, accompanied by The Classic Center's Alicia Brasher, Jessica, and Meredith Faulkner, attended the GSAE Quarterly Luncheon on July 10 at the Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Hotel & Conference Center. There were 135 planners and suppliers at the event.

Athens is hosting the GSAE Strategic Planning Meeting on August 29-30. The group met in Athens last year and were so blown away that they have decided to return. Our next task is to top last year!

Out and About with the CVB

Chuck Jones & trivia winner Walter Harper

Chuck Jones was one of the local community leaders who participated May 15 in the eighth annual New to Finance and Administration Day at UGA. Chuck conducted a tour of downtown and presented a fun Athens trivia quiz to better aquaint new employees with Athens attractions and resources. Winner of the trivia quiz was Walter Harper, a press operator with the Printing Division.

Chuck Jones again organized a tour of local hospitality businesses for the current class of Bread for Life students.Stops on the June 5 tour included a hotel (Foundry Park Inn & Spa), restaurant (East West Bistro), attraction (Lyndon House Arts Center), music venue (Georgia Theatre), and visitor resource (Athens Welcome Center). Bread for Life is an anti-poverty workforce development initiative, which was conceived by The Classic Center Authority.

Hospitality Newsmakers

The Classic Center's Stephanie VanDyck has completed a six-month BBQ certification course, which meets qualifications set by the Kansas City Barbecue Society for sanctioned event organizers. The Classic Center will hold the first annual Classic City BBQ Fest this August 16-17. In addition to being an officially sanctioned event of the Kansas City Barbeque Society, it is an official stop on the Georgia BBQ Championship 2013 Tour.

William Underwood Eiland, director of the Georgia Museum of Art, has received the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Award for Distinguished Service to Museums. The award recognizes excellence and contributions to the museum profession for at least 20 years. It is only given in years when there is a worthy nominee.

Jayne Tannenbaum, Director of Sales at Country Inn & Suites Athens, has been named Director of Sales of the Year by Hospitality Ventures Management Group. She's since been promoted within the company to [Title?]. Tannenbaum is a former Sales Manager of the CVB and was an integral part of the Athens hospitality industry.

Elizabeth Hovell has been named Director of Sales for the UGA Hotel and Conference Center.

Summer 2013