GDEcD News
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Alison Tyrer GDEcD
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Georgia’s Top Tourism Professionals Honored at 2005 Governor’s Conference on Tourism
Bo Callaway, Chuck Jones, Macon-Bibb and Augusta CVBs among 2005 Award-Winners
September 16, 2005, VALDOSTA – Gov. Sonny Perdue, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Commissioner Craig Lesser and Dan Rowe, GDEcD deputy commissioner of tourism awarded top honors to some of Georgia’s tourism industry leaders today at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism. The awards ceremony wrapped up the three-day conference, which brought the state’s tourism and hospitality industry professionals together in Valdosta to exchange information about tourism strategies and discuss ways to maximize its economic impact in Georgia.
Howard “Bo” Callaway was recognized with a Tourism Lifetime Achievement award. Callaway is chairman emeritus of the board of trustees for the Ida Cason Callaway Foundation and former president and CEO of Callaway Gardens. A former nominee for governor of Georgia, Callaway chairs the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s tourism committee and has served on GDEcD’s board since 2001.
Chuck Jones, executive director of the Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau, received the Larry Allen Award for Excellence in Tourism, named for the late general manager of Stone Mountain. With over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, Jones is president of the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus and past president of the Georgia Hospitality and Travel Association. He is also a member of the Georgia Tourism Council, created by Governor Sonny Perdue.
The Macon-Bibb County Convention & Visitors Bureau, led by President & CEO Janice Marshall, was awarded the Paul Broun Award for Marketing Initiatives for its many proactive, outstanding community initiatives. The bureau works closely with
community groups and attractions and has successfully and consistently led the area’s marketing efforts. This cooperative effort has enabled the community to capture dollars from the State’s annual co-op marketing program for the last few years and work together to package Macon-Bibb as one of the state’s premiere travel destinations. The award is given annually in memory of Sen. Paul Broun of Athens.
The Al Burris Award for Creative Expression, named after Rep. Al Burris of Marietta, went to the Augusta Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau for its innovative “I played Augusta” marketing campaign, which maximizes the impact of the golf imagery already associated with the city. The Augusta CVB, led by Executive Director Barry White, has also consistently partnered with the community in coordinated strategies to bring in outside funding through State co-op dollars.
The Tourism Champion Awards acknowledge the support and guidance given to the tourism division of GDEcD by individuals and organizations who have taken leadership roles in developing tourism opportunities in communities across the state. The Private Industry Champion award, given to an individual within the private sector who has worked to advance Georgia tourism, was awarded to Spurgeon Richardson, president and CEO of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau. Richardson’s more than 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry include service as president and general manager of Six Flags Over Georgia, chair for the International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, former chair of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Southeast Tourism Society.
Georgia’s Department of Community Affairs was named Partner Agency Tourism Champion, in recognition of a sister agency that has partnered with GDEcD to increase visitation and tourism expenditures in Georgia. Jim Finch, assistant commissioner for external affairs, accepted the award on behalf of Commissioner Mike Beatty and the department.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state’s sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, promoting the state as a location for film, video and music projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development.
For more information, visit www.georgia.org or call (404) 962-4078.
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