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ECONOMIC IMPACT OF ATHENS TOURISM CELEBRATED
HOSPITALITY AWARDS PRESENTED
During
CVB ANNUAL MEETING
Athens, Georgia- September 19, 2013- The Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) held its annual meeting Thursday, September 19, highlighted by the release of new economic impact figures for Athens-Clarke County and the presentation of the annual Athens Hospitality Awards.
Visitors to Athens-Clarke County spent $246.66 million in 2012, according to the 2012 Travel Economic Impact on Georgia State, Counties and Regions study prepared for the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) by the United States Travel Association (USTA). These direct expenditures were an increase of 5% percent from 2011. Tourism in Athens-Clarke County generated 2,450 jobs with a $48.3 million payroll, as well as $9.12 million in state tax and $6.95 million in local tax collections. Total state and local taxes of $16.07 million were collected from visitor spending, providing $389 in tax relief for each Athens-Clarke County household.
The CVB also presented the annual Athens Hospitality Awards, which recognize the outstanding work of individuals whose efforts have made a positive impact on the Athens-Clarke County visitor experience.
The Louis Griffith Hospitality Leadership Award honors an outstanding individual in the local hospitality industry who displays foresight and exceptional leadership skills to impact the Athens-Clarke County hospitality industry and the community as a whole. The 2013 Louis Griffith Hospitality Leadership Award was presented to Shawn Butcher. Butcher is the general manager of Porterhouse Grill and is known for his commitment to quality customer service, both in his personal interactions with restaurant patrons and in employee training programs. Porterhouse Grill has provided many services, events, and attendee appreciation initiatives for meeting and convention visitors to Athens. Butcher and Porterhouse Grill are ongoing partners with The Classic Center for both convention and theatre promotions.
The Classic Host Award recognizes a local individual or individuals committed to bringing to Athens a new convention, meeting or event generating a significant economic impact. The 2013 Classic Host Award was given to Bob Trotter and Lauren Fancher. Trotter is an IT Senior Manager with University of Georgia Libraries and Fancher is Director, GALILEO Support Services. Both spearheaded the local host committee for Ex Libris Users of North America (ELUNA), a not-for-profit educational group of users of library software products. The international group had no prior history of meeting in smaller destinations, but through Trotter and Fancher's determination, the ELUNA site selection committee was convinced that Athens had the right combination of facilities, services and culture. ELUNA met in Athens April 28 - May 4, 2013, bringing a total of 600 attendees and 2,025 room nights with an economic impact of $427,000. "Bob and Lauren are to be commended for pursuing this conference for Athens," said CVB Director Chuck Jones. "Not only did they sell ELUNA on the idea that Athens could compete with convention sites such as Salt Lake City, where they met in 2012, and Montreal, where they'll head in 2014, but the success of ELUNA 2013 has provided a road map for Athens to host other national and international groups."
The Hospitality HEROES (Hospitality Employees Recognition of Excellent Service) of the Year Award recognizes a front-line employee who has exceeded normal expectations to provide excellent service to visitors and residents. The 2013 Hospitality HEROES of the Year recipient is Calla Davis, head reservationist at Foundry Park Inn & Spa. Calla has been at Foundry Park Inn & Spa since the doors opened twelve years ago and, according to her director, she has been "turning strangers into close friends, loyal customers, and return visitors" for years.
"We are so gratified to be able to gather to recognize the importance of this industry to the local economy," remarked Chuck Jones, CVB director. "Through the efforts of those in this room, we are making a difference by putting our best foot forward and delivering on visitor expectations. A vibrant tourism product keeps our entire local economy vibrant, thanks to visitor spending."
NOTE TO EDITORS:
- Photos of hospitality award winners are available.
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