| Athens Now:
Newsletter of the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau
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New CVB Offices
The CVB's new offices are almost finished and beautiful. Even  before the project launched, the CVB and The Classic Center wanted to make sure that the historic integrity of the Fire Hall space was maintained.
Renowned local architect
David Matheny and local general contractor
Smith Wilson, both with strong Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation connections, were enlisted, and both have done a standout job making sure the goal was maintained. The end result is one that will truly make our community proud. Visitors to the CVB and The Classic Center will be welcomed in style and will receive a great impression of our city and The Classic Center. Even with all these improvements, it is important to note that all changes can be easily reversed.
You are going to be pleased with the outcome of this monumental project, just as we are.
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Out & About with the CVB
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On 8/26/15, The Classic Center and CVB participated in the United Way's Day of Caring at Action, Inc's The Pencil School
near Lexington, GA in Oglethorpe County. |
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Marketing & PR Updates
The CVB is thrilled to announce that our all-new website will launch before the end of the month! VisitAthensGA.com will have a bold new look with striking images and state-of-the-art features. To be sure you will look your best on the new website, update your photos and add new amenities and offers via our Extranet at
www.VisitAthensGA.com/partners
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Chuck Jones, Hannah Smith, and Rachel Watkins attended the Georgia Governor's Tourism Conference in Savannah Aug. 28-Sept. 2. This year's theme, "Tourism Trending," reflected the range of experts offering sessions on current trends and best practices in tourism marketing , leadership, technology and advocacy. Athens CVB staff had the opportunity to speak directly with important key contacts such as members of our state legislature and travel media.
Media Relations:
Over the past month, the CVB:
- responded to 23 media requests,
- tracked coverage of 24 articles resulting in 20,095,429 impressions,
- distributed 4 press releases, and
- pitched 6 story ideas.
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Hospitality Newsmakers
Welcome new bakery Sweetie Pie by Savie located at 150 Whitehall Road. CVB Sales Manager Ben Ray attended their grand opening on 8/21/15 and sampled delicious treats.
Check out the newly redesigned and reopened J's Bottle Shop on Prince Avenue in Normaltown. The store has been expanded with more offerings with a lovely large modern feel.
The CVB attended the soft opening of the newest location of Taqueria Tsunami in downtown Athens on 9/9/15. They are located in the Michael Brothers Building and opened for business on 9/10/15.
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Sales Update
While we are presently without a director of sales, our sales team has stepped up to the challenge and are not missing a beat. Sales Managers Missy Brandt and Ben Ray, along with Director Chuck Jones, are aggressively working to make sure that the CVB's sales goals are met. A selection committee consisting of a hotelier, restaurateur, Classic Center management, and Jones will be interviewing candidates soon.There are great candidates, and we are looking forward to naming a new director of sales soon.
August Sales Activity Highlights:
13 future bookings
7,215 future room nights
12,785 attendees
$3,168,430.72 future estimated direct spending
Senior Sales Manager Missy Brandt and Sales Manager Ben Ray attended
The Hartman Fund Donor Open Practice and Reception
at UGA on 8/13/15. They watched the Dawgs practice along with other invited UGA fans and afterwards enjoyed hot dogs and hamburgers served at Stegeman Coliseum.
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UGA Hockey in Downtown Athens
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The 2015-2016 UGA Hockey season launched on 9/8/15 in downtown Athens in the Akins Arena at The Classic Center. Joni and Reed Robinson enjoyed the game with Chuck Jones, CVB Director. Joni is the supervisor of the Caterpillar Visitor and Training Center. |
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2015 Governor's Tourism Conference
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Historic Heartland Travel Association Board Members represented the Brews & Q's Trail at the 2015 Governor's Tourism Conference in Savannah on August 31. (l to r) Bonnie Simmons, Milledgeville;
Sandi Smeltzer, Perry; Maddie Atkinson, Eatonton;
Alex Perschka, Oconee County; Hannah Smith, Athens |
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 SAVE THE DATE
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Tourism Division Roadshow
September 17, 2015
The Plaza Arts Center Eatonton |
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CVB Advisory Board Annual Meeting
October 8, 2015
8:30 a.m.
The Classic Center
Empire Room
Sponsored by
The Classic Center |
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Historic Heartland Travel Association Meeting
October 8, 2015
Perry, Georgia |
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Historic Heartland Travel Association Holiday Luncheon
December 2, 2015
Conyers, Georgia |
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Northeast Georgia Mountains Travel Association's
Chautauqua
March 6-7, 2016
The Ridges
Resort and Marina |
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IN THE
NEWS
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"10 Things to Do in Athens on a No Football Weekend"
September 14, 2015
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"A Road Trip Through Georgia"
September 3, 2015
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"America's Best College Football Towns"
September 3, 2015
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"5 Artsy Southern Towns"
September 2, 2015
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"Restaurant Roundup: Athens, Ga."
September 1, 2015
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"20 College Towns We Love to Visit"
August 28, 2015
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"The 16 Best Places to Live in America 2015"
August 18, 2015
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"My Town: Susan Hable's Athens, Georgia"
August 18, 2015
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"Georgia Coffee Roasters"
June 29, 2015
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"South Georgia's
Four 'A' Trail"
June 27, 2015
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"Atlanta Day Trips: A Guide to Athens"
June 15, 2015
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"Athens, GA City Guide"
June 2, 2015
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"These Spring Cocktails Will Wet Your Whistle"
May 8, 2015
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"5 Rooftop Dining Destinations"
April 24, 2015
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| "Take Five: The Essential Athens, Georgia"
April 21, 2015
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"The Perfect Food Weekend in Athens, Georgia"
ExploreGeorgia.org
April 8, 2015
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"The Best Places
to Retire in 2015" |
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"See the Sophisticated
Side of Athens" |
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| "Best New Breweries in the U.S." |
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| "Art of the Meal: Seabear Oyster Bar" |
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"America's Best College Towns"
Travel & Leisure November 2014
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| "Love Letters: Athens, Georgia" |
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| "Skip Atlanta. Go Here Instead" |
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| LINKS & RESOURCES |
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| WHO'S COMING TO TOWN? |
| Upcoming M&C calendars are available to local partners via our Extranet or from the
CVB Sales Team: Missy Brandt Ben Ray |
| STATE RESOURCES |
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| CONNECT WITH US! |
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