The Chamber is Hiring!

As you may have seen in yesterday's announcement, we will be adding a full-time Special Events Coordinator to our team. Applications will be open through November 30th. If you are interested in applying for this role or would like to share the opportunity with someone in your network, please click below for more information.

The Athens Area Chamber of Commerce will be participating in the Tinsel Trail in partnership with Visit Athens and Athens Area Women in Construction. We are excited to utilize our tree as a fun way to display our members' businesses!

We are seeking ornaments to decorate our tree with (but they do not have to be traditional, anything can be an ornament!). The trees will be displayed outdoors from November 27th through January 1^st so the ornaments need to be able to withstand weather. You can find more specific instructions in this sheet.

If you'd like to participate, please drop your items off at the Chamber by Monday, November 25th. Please contact marissa@athensga.com with questions.

Athens to Host Young Gamechangers in 2025

GeorgiaForward’s Young Gamechangers is a unique and proven leadership action program that gathers 45 of Georgia’s brightest young minds to develop creative and viable recommendations for one community.

We are thrilled to announce that Athens has been selected as the 2025 host city for Young Gamechangers. 15 participants between ages 25-40 will be selected from the Athens area along with 15 from the Atlanta area and 15 from rural Georgia. Class participants tackle real community and economic development issues with colleagues from across the state, building up civic engagement tools like collaboration, compromise, and negotiation.

Learn more about the program and eligibility requirements here.

Metro Diner, the go-to spot for craveable comfort food, has introduced its all-American menu at the eatery's first location in Athens. Metro Diner is known for offering a diverse menu of award-winning comfort food favorites, breakfast all day, and modern twists on classic diner dishes.  Join us in celebrating the diner's grand opening!

Date and Time

Thursday, Nov 14, 2024

2:00 PM

Location

3075 Atlanta Hwy Athens, GA 30606

Ribbon Cutting

BasKat Catering, Munch Hut, and Curry Love are excited to welcome you to our new and improved location on Baxter Street where we’re rolling out an irresistible lineup of new Indian fusion delights! Indulge in our Chicken Tikka Masala Pizza and Paneer Pizza—a perfect blend of East meets West—or sink your teeth into our bold, flavorful Chicken 65 Wings and Tikka Masala Wings. Bring your appetite, bring your friends, and get ready for a flavor experience like no other!

Date and Time

Thursday, Nov 21, 2024

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST

Location

1072 Baxter St Ste A & B Athens GA 30606

Please join the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce as we celebrate the ribbon cutting for The Swank Company. The Swank Company is your go-to boutique for trendy, affordable women’s fashion. This Georgia family owned boutique is excited to open their first location outside of Augusta in the home of the Dawgs! They look forward to becoming your one stop shop for clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories and more!

Date and Time

Tuesday, Nov 26, 2024

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST

Location

153 E Clayton St Athens GA 30601

Make plans to join us for breakfast as we hear from our elected officials on their focus for the upcoming 2025 Legislative Session. 

Join us for a Pre-Legislative Update with the Athens-Clarke County Delegation. We are honored to have our elected officials Senator Frank Ginn and Representative Houston Gaines.

Date and Time

Thursday, Dec 5, 2024

8:00 AM - 9:15 AM EST

Location

1055 Barber

Please join the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce as we celebrate the Ribbon Cutting for The Cancer Foundation, a local non-profit whose mission is to help alleviate the financial burden of cancer for patients” throughout Northeast Georgia.

Date and Time

Thursday, Dec 5, 2024

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST

Ribbon Cutting at 3:00

This special Network Lunch will provide an opportunity to mix and mingle with our Leads Group members and learn more about joining a network of trusted referral partners!

Date and Time

Tuesday, Dec 10, 2024

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST

Location

Hope Haven

795 Newton Bridge Rd. Athens GA 30607

Business After Hours is a drop-in style event designed for networking and getting to know members of the business community. Bring plenty of business cards to exchange!

Date and Time

Thursday, Dec 12, 2024

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM EST

Location

Many thanks to our host and sponsor, Synovus,  for planning a special evening at their downtown location on 150 W. Hancock Ave. Athens GA 30601.

Expect More Happiness! Discover an empowered lifestyle at Oaks at Cedar Shoals, where our priority is to provide personal care with dignity and compassion. We can’t wait to meet you and see how you thrive in a senior living community filled with love and the independence to be yourself.

The Seniors Helping Seniors® Difference

We give seniors the gift of independence through heartfelt companionship and daily in-home help. Through our proprietary process, we match seniors with mature, active caregivers who have a passion for serving others and building lasting friendships. These connections share a mutual interest in hobbies, activities and much more.

The Seniors Helping Seniors® mission is based on two simple ideas:

Seniors can help each other age more happily and gracefully.

Seniors who provide help, and those who receive it, benefit equally.

Welcome to The Athenian

Luxury Boutique Inn

A seamless blend of historic Greek Revival charm and modern luxury, The Athenian offers a unique and stylish stay in the heart of Athens, GA.

Discover the perfect fusion of past and present in this thoughtfully designed, elegant retreat.

The Cancer Foundation - Accounting Manager

The Accounting Manager is responsible for managing the financial operations of The Cancer Foundation, ensuring accurate and timely accounting processes. This role oversees financial reporting, budgeting, payroll, accounts payable (including financial assistance payment), and compliance with regulatory standards. The Accounting Manager will work closely with the Executive Director and other staff members to support the financial sustainability and growth of the organization.

Athens Community Council on Aging - Director of Center for Active Living

The Director of the Center for Active Living (CAL) is responsible for overseeing a comprehensive range of programs that promote the health, wellness, and social engagement of older adults. This role involves managing fitness classes, wellness programs, art activities, social events, and an extensive trip program for active seniors. The Director is also responsible for overseeing a community dining program for at-risk seniors. Additionally, this position plays a pivotal role in the long-term sustainability and growth of CAL by identifying opportunities for program expansion, partnership development, and financial sustainability. The Director will collaborate with the ACCA Leadership Team to ensure CAL remains a vibrant and vital community resource.

Athens Community Council on Aging - Director of Center for Active Living

The Director of the Center for Active Living (CAL) is responsible for overseeing a comprehensive range of programs that promote the health, wellness, and social engagement of older adults. This role involves managing fitness classes, wellness programs, art activities, social events, and an extensive trip program for active seniors. The Director is also responsible for overseeing a community dining program for at-risk seniors. Additionally, this position plays a pivotal role in the long-term sustainability and growth of CAL by identifying opportunities for program expansion, partnership development, and financial sustainability. The Director will collaborate with the ACCA Leadership Team to ensure CAL remains a vibrant and vital community resource.

Visit Athens - Destination Services Manager

The Destination Services Manager is responsible for managing the Housing Services program utilizing Passkey by CVENT. This role ensures the seamless execution of housing blocks for conventions, conferences, and sporting events, consolidating the booking process into one unified website experience for event attendees. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in customer service and operational management, demonstrating an ability to work closely with event planners and internal teams to provide exceptional service and support. This position reports to the Director of Sales.

To see all posted job listings, visit our website here. If you would like to list an open position, contact marissa@athensga.com.

The songwriting duo of Gillian Welch & David Rawlings comes to The Classic Center Theatre on April 3, 2025. Woodland On Tour supports the duo’s latest album release on their label, Acony Records.

Tickets for this performance go on sale on Friday, November 15, at 10:00 a.m.

LAD Truck Lines Announces Several Key Promotions and New Leadership Additions  

 LAD Truck Lines Inc., a trucking and logistics company headquartered in Watkinsville, is pleased to announce several key promotions and appointments within its leadership team. These strategic moves are part of the company’s commitment to operational excellence, improving the customer experience and delivering exceptional service.

The below executives will begin serving in their new roles effective immediately:

• Austin Bushatz has been hired as Vice President of Warehouse Operations
• Jordan Culver has been promoted to Vice President of Safety and Maintenance
• William Haugabook, Jr. has been promoted to Executive Vice President
• Josh Tench has been promoted to Vice President of Sales and Logistics
• Adam Webb has been promoted to General Manager

We are pleased to share that Live Wire Athens received a shoutout in Southern Living Magazine’s “The 10 Best College Towns You Should Visit This Fall” as one of your premier sources for live music in Athens! Live Wire Athens is hosting several talented artists this month, both local and international. Get a taste of Athens’ vibrant music scene and learn more about our upcoming concerts at livewireathens.com.

Special flash ticket sale for Saturday, November 16th with Buried Alive, the best Phish Tribute band. Get a FREE ticket with promo code GROOVY. 

Limited quantity of FREE tickets available so ACT NOW!

Making charitable donations and financial gifts feels wonderful, but how they are treated under the tax laws can be complicated. In this webinar, our wealth adviser Rob Fezekas will cover tax-efficient gifting strategies and how they can fit in with your overall financial plan.

Nov 19, 2024 12:00 PM

Dr. Mohana Laasya Cherukuri, a primary care physician, officially joins St. Mary’s Internal Medicine Associates (SIMA) on Monday, Nov. 11. The office is now accepting new patient appointments, with same-day or next-day appointments available in many cases.

Dr. Cherukuri comes to St. Mary’s Medical Group from the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership Internal Medicine Residency Program (IMRP) in Athens. She earned her medical degree, a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) from Rangaraya Medical College/NTR University in Andhra Pradesh, India, through an eight-year program that ended in December 2019. She then came to the IMRP, graduating in June 2024. She is board-eligible and licensed by the State of Georgia. She is fluent in English, Telugu and Hindi.

Join us for a Cornerstone Business Leadership Luncheon on November 21, from 11 AM to 1 PM! Enjoy a networking lunch while gaining insights from Pastor Scott and special guest Bobby Holland as they share powerful principles on leadership and entrepreneurship. This event is a unique opportunity to connect with other professionals, grow in faith, and gain practical tools to elevate your business journey. Reserve your spot today!

Perhaps you, too, have been inundated with requests of how best to engage in Post-Hurricane Helene relief efforts. After many conversations with local leaders in the areas most affected, we’ve heard time and again that donating blood is one of the most impactful ways you can provide support right now—in light of both a national blood shortage now compounded by 3,000+ drives having been canceled this fall due to the events of Helene and Milton.

Therefore, we’ve decided to host an emergency blood drive at Creature HQ next month. It was not in our original plans for the year, but after seeing the need in our region and repeated calls for ways to support, we wanted to provide avenues for our friends and fellow citizens to meet a pressing, timely need.

We're asking 2 things: Please consider donating. And pretty please consider forwarding this service opportunity to your network!

• PARTNER:  Red Cross of Northeast Georgia
• WHEN: Tuesday, December 10, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
• The donation process takes an hour from start to finish.
• WHERE:  Creature Comforts HQ - 355 Oneta Street, Athens, GA 30606 (GoogleMap + parking map attached)
• RSVP:  CLICK HERE to snag a timeslot.

Santa Experince with Izzy + Co

Give your child the gift of an unforgettable holiday experience with Santa Claus! Imagine the look of pure joy on your child's face as they meet Santa in an intimate winter wonderland setting.

Not only will you get a magical moment with Santa, but he will even call your child by name and help them find themselves on his "Nice List!" Capture that enchanting moment forever, transforming it into custom heirloom products like a stunning ornament or exquisite keepsake book. These unique gifts will bring joy to your family for generations! Join us for this exclusive Santa Session event at our studio in Athens, GA.