The Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) held its annual meeting Thursday, October 2, highlighted by the release of new economic impact figures for Athens-Clarke County and the presentation of the annual Athens Hospitality Awards. 

Visitors to Athens-Clarke County spent $256.39 million in 2013, according to the 2013 Travel Economic Impact on Georgia State, Counties and Regions study prepared for the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) by the United States Travel Association (USTA). Tourism in Athens-Clarke County generated 2,510 jobs with a $50.34 million payroll, as well as $9.53 million in state tax and $7.11 million in local tax collections. Total state and local taxes of $16.64 million were collected from visitor spending, providing $406.65 in tax relief for each Athens-Clarke County household. (Domestic spending only was considered.)

The CVB also presented the annual Athens Hospitality Awards, which recognize the outstanding work of individuals whose efforts have made a positive impact on the Athens-Clarke County visitor experience. 

The Louis Griffith Hospitality Leadership Award honors an outstanding individual in the local hospitality industry who displays foresight and exceptional leadership skills to impact the Athens-Clarke County hospitality industry and the community as a whole. The2014 Louis Griffith Hospitality Leadership Award was presented to Bain Mattox. Mattox is the owner of one downtown music venue, The World Famous, and two Normaltown businesses, Normal Bar and the soon-to-open Automatic Pizza. Mattox is a professional singer and musician, who plays the guitar, accordion, banjo and mandolin. He moved to Athens in 2000. Mattox got his start in the industry as a busboy turned bartender/bar manager at Five & Ten. He has spent the last four years growing his small businesses that have received acclaim nationally. With his kind manner and easy-going nature, Mattox is a quiet leader who has changed the landscape of Normaltown and downtown Athens.

The Classic Host Award recognizes a local individual or individuals committed to bringing to Athens a new convention, meeting or event generating a significant economic impact.  The 2014 Classic Host Award was given to Reverend Patricia Downs Wilder. She currently serves as the pastor of the Washington Circuit, which consists of Jackson Chapel A.M.E. Church in Washington, GA, and Blackrock A.M.E. Church in Tignall, GA. Reverend Wilder is to be commended for bringing two recent large programs to Athens and The Classic Center. She and the Sixth District A.M.E. Church have found a home here. Her continued support of Athens further establishes the city as a premier destination for faith-based  conferences. The Athens CVB looks forward to welcoming the Sixth District A.M.E. Church back to Athens for many future events.

The Hospitality HEROES (Hospitality Employees Recognition of Excellent Service) of the Year Awardrecognizes a front-line employee who has exceeded normal expectations to provide excellent service to visitors and residents.  The 2014 Hospitality HEROES of the Year award was given to Celeste Josephine of Heirloom Cafe and Fresh Market. Josephine has been with Heirloom for the past year and a half and is both a server and a beloved brunch bartender. Always aiming to make the people around her happy, Josephine has a strong passion for serving others, and has acquired quite a crowd of devoted brunch bar regulars. 

"It is vital that we honor the hard work and level of excellence this industry adds to our local economy," remarked Chuck Jones, CVB director. "The dedication of our award winners and efforts of others are the reason Athens is a shining star in Georgia. A dynamic tourism product keeps our entire local economy vibrant, and a high level of service further separates us from the competition."