AthensAchieves! names Chief Workforce Officer

Athens Achieves!, a workforce development initiative led by the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce has named Dr. Alvie Coes III as its first Chief Workforce Officer.

Coes held the role of Academic Dean at Athens Technical College and currently serves as Vice President of Economic Development for Georgia Piedmont Technical College in Clarkston. He graduated from Georgia Southern University with degrees in business and workforce development as well as a doctorate in workforce education from the University of Georgia.

As CWO, Coes will be in charge of developing a board of advisors and implementing the 2024 Workforce Development Strategy. He will also be in charge of building an online job portal. The goal of AthensAchieves! is to create both skilled workers and high paying jobs in the Athens-area. Join us in welcoming Alvie to the Chamber team!

Nominations Open for Annual Meeting Awards!

The 121st Annual Meeting will be held on February 18th, 2025 at the new Akins Ford Arena. Each year at the Annual Meeting, we present awards for outstanding service and citizenship: Ambassador of the Year, CCSD Educator of Excellence, Small Business of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year, ATHENA Honoree, Spirit of Athens, and Upshaw Bentley Citizen Award. Please consider nominating a deserving Athenian for the following recognitions:

Last Chance to Get Your Tickets for the ATHENA Nominee Luncheon: A Celebration of Women!

Join us in celebrating these five incredible nominees for the 2025 ATHENA Leadership Award! Our Keynote Speaker will be Kelley Sorrow, Senior Director of the Chick-fil-A People Department. The ATHENA Nominee Luncheon: A Celebration of Women will be held on Thursday, January 16th from 11:30-1:00 at Athens Country Club.

Thank you to our event sponsor, Riptide LLC!

Thank you to our sponsor:

Join us for the January Network Luncheon! Network Lunch is where you maximize your relationship ROI. 

During this event, you'll hear from a featured speaker and our sponsors, who will give a brief presentation. Afterward, each attendee will have the time to introduce themselves with a quick elevator pitch. With this event, we open the door for member businesses of all sizes to leverage an immense number of opportunities and resources as they network, learn, and grow as a part of the Athens area community.

Date and Time

Tuesday, Jan 14, 2025

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST

Location: Tapped Athens, 297 Prince Ave in Bottleworks. Catered by Tazikis.

Please join The Athens Area Chamber of Commerce as we celebrate the ribbon cutting for Panera Bread. This Athens store features Panera’s pioneering SmallBox Urban design, optimized for city environments. This concept offers a streamlined layout, perfectly catering to the busy lifestyles of students and local residents alike.

Date and Time

Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM EST

Location

101 North Lumpkin Street Athens Georgia 30601

Date and Time

Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST

Location

1400 Live Oak Lane Athens GA 30606

Every January, Women Who Work hosts a wellness panel - an empowering event designed to promote self-love and self-care in a time full of 'new year, new you' pressures. Our panelists will delve into discussion on inclusive business practices that support body positivity, confidence in work spaces, and embracing ourselves exactly as we are. They will share their insights and tips for cultivating self-acceptance to serve as a reminder that wellness starts from within and loving ourselves is the ultimate form of self-care. Don't miss out on this inspiring conversation to kick off a kick ATH year!

Date and Time

Tuesday, Jan 28, 2025

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM EST

Location

801 Riverhill Dr. Ste 553

Athens, GA 30606

Please join the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce as we celebrate the ribbon cutting for The Kiwanis Club of Athens.  The Kiwanis Club of Athens directly supports various service projects in the local community through volunteers, donations and community partnerships. As a member of the Kiwanis Club of Athens, you can directly support their annual charity golf tournament, Birchmore 5k Run for Fun, Athens Teen Driving Roadeo, Boots, Bourbon and BBQ Tailgala, monthly reading program at local elementary schools, feeding the hungry downtown, toy drives, food drives, and many other service opportunities in the Athens area.

Date and Time

Thursday, Jan 30, 2025

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM EST

Location

Synovus Community Room. 

150 W Hancock Ave Athens GA 30601

We are thrilled to welcome all of our new Chamber members! In order for you to take full advantage of your chamber membership, we have created a "Chamber 101" class to review everything from the basics to the best ways to get engaged. Whether your company is a new member, you are new to attending chamber events, or you'd just like to learn more about how to engage we invite you to join fellow new members and chamber staff for coffee while we review tips for chamber member success!

Thank you to our Chamber 101 sponsor, Peach State Federal Credit Union!

Athenians are invited to honor Dr. King's legacy at the annual Athens-Clarke County Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 20, 2025. This year’s MLK Day of Service kick-off celebration will take place from 8:30 to 9:30 AM at the Lay Park Gymnasium (297 Hoyt Street). The first 400 volunteers at the kick-off will receive a limited edition long-sleeve t-shirt, and light morning refreshments will be served. Following the kick-off, volunteer service around the community will take place from 10:00 AM to noon.

✨ Get ready to say "I Do" to the perfect wedding vendors! ✨ Join us for the Love Athens Wedding Expo on Sunday, January 26th from 1-4 PM. Find inspiration, meet amazing vendors, and start planning your dream day!  

The Expo is perfect for recently engaged couples at any stage in the planning process for your rehearsal dinner or wedding. Meet staff in person and gather info from multiple businesses to compare your options!

*Interested in a booth for your business? Just 3 spots remain. Complete this form ASAP!

Come join Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful to watch the Rock Lobsters face off against the Baton Rough Zydeco! For every ticket purchased through KACCB's unique link, $5 will be donated directly to KACCB. Claws up! 

Come and run the Spartan 5K on February 8th with a super fast 1-mile downhill finish! Beautiful handmade pottery awards by. r.wood studio.

Please join us for a Top Gun themed 5K to support Athens Academy! This year's 80's theme is Top Run (Gun)! So bring your aviators and bomber jackets! Participants are encouraged to dress in Top Gun attire, although not required.