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Do you know a leader who inspires others, strengthens our community, and helps women achieve their full potential? The Athens Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 2026 ATHENA Award.
The ATHENA Award recognizes women who embody the principles of the ATHENA Leadership Model by:
- Achieving the highest level of professional excellence
- Contributing time and energy to improve the quality of life in the community
- Actively assisting others, particularly women, in realizing their full leadership potential
Rooted in a mission to celebrate change-makers and trailblazers, the ATHENA Leadership Award is one of the most prestigious leadership honors in the world. With more than 8,200 recipients across 48 states and 11 countries, the award honors those who open doors of leadership and opportunity for others. The Athens Area Chamber of Commerce has proudly presented the ATHENA Leadership Award locally since 1988.
Nominations for the 2026 ATHENA Leadership Award are being accepted through Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
Following the nomination period, nominees will be invited to complete an application, which must be submitted by Thursday, October 22, 2026. A selection committee composed of past ATHENA Honorees will review all applications and select five finalists to be recognized at the Celebration of Women Luncheon on December 3, 2026, at Athens Country Club.
The 2026 ATHENA Leadership Award Honoree will be announced at the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting on February 23, 2027.
Help us recognize the remarkable leaders making a difference in our community. Submit your nomination today!
| | "Diaper Up!" September Diaper Drive | | Athens Area Diaper Bank's "Diaper Up!" campaign is working toward a goal of 100,000 diapers collected this September. Over the past ten years, AADB has distributed more than 4 million diapers to 92,000 families across Northeast Georgia, and that impact is only possible because of community support. Diapers and donations are being accepted through drives, drop-offs, and online giving all month long. Every diaper given keeps that momentum going for another decade of families served! Learn more and make an impact here: www.athensareadiaperbank.com/events. | | Special thanks to our Ambassadors for bringing donations to support the diaper drive! | | |
Athens Achieves, in partnership with Athens Technical College, the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission, and Georgia Power, facilitated a seven-week Industrial Maintenance Training Program. Ten participants completed hands-on and classroom instruction, earning industry-recognized credentials in OSHA safety, forklift operations, electrical systems, and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). The program prepared graduates for entry-level industrial maintenance careers while building valuable technical skills. This initiative demonstrates the power of partnership in advancing economic mobility across our region.
| | Employer Spotlight: Athfest | |
AthFest is an annual free, three-day festival that celebrates Athens, GA’s vibrant creative culture, featuring local and regional musicians and visual artists. Thousands of people flock to the streets of historic downtown Athens each AthFest to experience live music by artists from a variety of genres, enjoy local artwork, and soak up the vibe of one of America’s coolest cities. Locals mingle with out of towners while music fills the air and art, food and fun fill the streets.
By posting opportunities on the Athens Achieves Career Portal, they are investing directly in local talent and strengthening our regional workforce pipeline. We encourage other employers to follow their lead. Post your openings locally and connect with skilled candidates right here in our community. There is no cost to the employer or job candidates!
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Follow Athens Achieves on Social Media! | | Advanced Auto Parts Ribbon Cutting | | |
Please join the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce as we celebrate the ribbon cutting for Advance Auto Parts. Advance Auto Parts, Inc. is a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider that serves both professional installers and do-it-yourself customers. As of October 4, 2025, Advance operated 4,297 stores primarily within the United States, with additional locations in Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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Business After Hours at Hotel Indigo
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Join us for a fun Business After Hours at Hotel Indigo! Business After Hours is light on programming and heavy on networking - creating space for introductions, productive conversations, and relationships among a range of community voices.
Location: 500 College Ave Athens GA 30601
Date and Time: 9/24/2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM EDT
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Join us for Chamber 101, a crash course in making the most of your Chamber membership. During this 90 minute event, you'll have time to network with new and long-time members before the class, where you'll hear about all things Chamber - from the basics to the best ways to get engaged.
Location: Trumps Catering 2026 S Milledge Ave B Athens GA 30605
Date: 9/30/2026
Time: 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
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Join us for the October 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. We encourage you to bring plenty of business cards, brochures, or promotional materials. 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.
| | Welcome New Chamber Members! | | Laurel Glen Builders, LLC | | |
Laurel Glen Builders LLC. is a construction company based in North Georgia. Building homes in Rabun, Habersham, and Stephens County.
Our services include renovations, new homes, and custom homes. We pride ourselves on bringing a personalized approach to each customer, while maintaining professionalism and excellence. We are also proudly a part of the National Association of Home Builders, the Home Builders Association of Georgia, and the Athens Area Home Builders Association.
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VirtAssistNow understands the unique challenges small business owners face. Unlike typical virtual assistant services that only handle basic phone answering, we provide comprehensive business support that streamlines your entire operation.
We specialize in delivering efficient and reliable virtual assistance tailored to your unique needs. Let's explore how we can contribute to the success of your business.
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Bray Siteworks is a local grading contractor serving Bogart, Georgia, and the surrounding Athens area. A civil site works company, you will be happy you called. We focus on delivering precise grading, dependable schedules, and budget-conscious solutions. From initial site evaluation through final grading and inspection, our team plans for erosion control, stormwater management, and long-term site stability that keep projects moving and compliant.
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Your trusted plumbing company with over 1,000 positive reviews!
When water is leaking, drains are backing up, or your home is on plumbing life support, you don’t have time to gamble with sketchy contractors. You need it done right and right now.
At MasterCraft Plumbing, we don’t just fix problems, we deliver results that actually last with no mess, no surprises, and no guessing who is showing up to your door.
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UGA Student Entrepreneur Joins Chamber and Participates in Local Fundraiser
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Matthew Loscialo is a student at the University of Georgia pursuing a Hospitality Degree and entrepreneurship certification. He owns and operates Vacation Trip Guides, a business that specializes in ocean and river cruises, resorts and bus tours, setting sail from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean and everywhere in between.
Matthew helps clients book excursions at their port of call, allowing cruisers to visit historic sites, such as hiking through the jungles of Mexico and seeing the ruins of past civilizations. River cruises offer a more relaxed atmosphere. While drifting through Europe on the Seine, Rhone, Saone, or Rhine Rivers, your chef will take you on a dinner excursion, preparing meals specific to the region you are cruising through to give you an authentic experience.
| Athens Crush Invite Athletes to Earn a Shot at the Indoor Football League | |
The road to the Athens Crush’s inaugural season starts with an opportunity.
The Athens Crush of the Indoor Football League (IFL) will hold an open player tryout on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at Oconee County High School in Watkinsville, giving football players from across the country a chance to showcase their skills and compete for an opportunity to join Athens’ newest professional sports team.
And they’ll be doing it in front of some of the most accomplished coaches in indoor football history.
| Artist2Artist Presents “Monterey Pop Music Festival — Athens Style” to Benefit Athens Area Homeless Shelter | |
Artist2Artist is bringing the spirit of the legendary Monterey Pop Music Festival to Athens with an unforgettable day of music,
art, and community on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Terrapin Beer Co. from 11:30am - 7:00 pm.
The Artist2Artist Annual Fundraiser: Monterey Pop Music Festival — Athens Style will celebrate the creative spirit that has long defined Athens while raising funds and awareness for the Athens Area Homeless Shelter, supporting its mission to provide housing, resources, and pathways toward stability for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
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The Red & Black is Seeking Community Match
Fundraising Partners
| Pre-K Spaces Available for this School Year | |
Beacon Hill Schools on Lexington Road in East Athens currently has 8 open GA Pre-K spaces available for this school year. The Beacon Hills team is eager to connect with local families who may still be looking for a high-quality Pre-K placement. If interested, please reach out to their team to answer questions, provide additional information, or schedule tours for interested families.
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Discover What’s New at Lunè Medical Spa & Regenerative Aesthetics
Each month, we feature exclusive specials designed to help you look, feel, and live your best. From advanced skin rejuvenation and body contouring to regenerative wellness treatments, our monthly offers make it easier than ever to invest in yourself. Explore this month's specials and take the next step toward confidence, wellness, and healthy aging.
| Ready to feel more confident when you speak? Join Dr. Leslie Gordon for the T.R.U.E. Impact Speaking Experience on Tuesday, September 22, from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. ET for a live virtual experience designed to help professionals communicate with greater clarity, confidence, and presence, without changing who they are. Come ready to learn, practice, and make small shifts that can create a big difference in how you show up and connect. | |
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Don’t miss the 5th annual Boom Bash Senior Expo this Friday, Oct. 30th at the Oconee County Civic Center from 10:00AM -- 2:00PM – Vendor spaces are going fast.
| | 2026 Chamber Champion Sponsors | | | | |
