2013 annual report 2014 business plan
TRANSCRIPT
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2013 Annual Report 2014 Business Plan&
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ACVB MissionTo sell and market metro Atlanta and Georgia globally as the premier conventions, meetings and tourism destination in the regional, national and international marketplace and favorably impact the Atlanta economy through conventions and tourism.
ACVB VisionTo be the best and most hospitable city with which to do business.
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LETTER FROM Our President
The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau posted another impressive year in 2013. Our sales team finished the year at 98 percent of our room night goal and 119 percent of our lead goal. Our lead volume is up over 25 percent in the last two years. Most importantly, these leads are converting into sales. In 2013, we booked 25 pieces of future business that were either brand new to Atlanta, or have not been back to the city in more than five years.
We’ve continued to post significant growth over the past five years. Since 2009, occupancy is up 20 percent, RevPAR is up 29 percent and demand is up 24 percent.
We’ve also been able to take market share for 12 months running from our top 25 competitors in the U.S.
Atlanta also set a new visitation record with 45 million visitors to the city in 2013. That’s a seven percent increase over 2012, when we surpassed 40 million for the first time. At this rate of growth, I’m optimistic we’ll hit 55 million visitors by the end of the decade.
This growth fuels opportunity for our city’s hospitality industry. More visitors means more spending, more tax revenue and more jobs for Atlanta’s economy. And, of course, more development.
In 2014, Atlanta will open more than $1.5 billion in new hospitality product, including new attractions, hotel development, and improved services for visitors.
Two much-anticipated attractions will open near Centennial Olympic Park. The Center for Civil and Human Rights opens on June 23 and College Football Hall of Fame will open over Labor Day Weekend. The new Atlanta Streetcar will begin service in late summer.
Two major retail developments will also come online this year. Buckhead Atlanta will begin opening ultra-luxury shops and restaurants in September. And Ponce City Market will transform the historic Sears & Roebuck Building into Atlanta’s version of Chelsea Market.
Hotel developers are also preparing for the continued influx of visitors with at least five new hotels under construction in 2014. Two of Atlanta’s most iconic hotel restaurants will also reopen their doors this year. Nikolai’s Roof at the Hilton Atlanta recently completed a nearly $1 million renovation. Polaris, the famous blue dome atop the Hyatt Regency, will again open to the public.
And 2014 is just the beginning. Plans for the next five years include two new stadiums surrounded by restaurants and retail shops, and the potential for a new 1,000-room hotel next to building C at the Georgia World Congress Center.
This year, the New York Times named Atlanta to its list of “52 Places to Go in 2014” as one of only nine U.S. cities; USA Today readers voted Atlanta a top five convention destination, and Entrepreneur Magazine selected Atlanta as Best Re-emerging Destination for their 2014 Business Travel Awards. It’s no wonder why. With all of the growth in Atlanta’s hospitality industry, it’s going to be a truly groundbreaking year.
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LETTER FROM Our Chairman
Last year, the ACVB celebrated 100 years of accomplishments in Atlanta’s hospitality industry. Now, we look ahead to the future.
This year, the board and I will focus on three priorities that will serve to keep Atlanta’s hospitality industry moving ahead of the competition.
The first priority is promoting Atlanta’s visitor assets. We are in a unique position with the high concentration of new developments coming online this year. These offerings keep the destination fresh and exciting for our returning visitors and entice new
travelers to choose Atlanta.
A second area of focus is enhancing the customer experience. As one of the nation’s top meetings and conventions destinations, it is important that we make the best first impression on our visitors. From street beautification projects in Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead to the efforts of the Atlanta Police Department and Midtown Blue to keep our visitors safe, Atlanta’s hospitality industry will continue to work together to make sure our visitors have the best possible experience in our city.
The third and final priority for my term as board chair is to promote the value and importance of sporting events. As past chair of the Atlanta Sports Council I understand that sporting events mean big business for Atlanta’s hospitality industry. Sporting events traditionally take place during weekends and holidays when business travelers are not meeting, enhancing our portfolio. Attendees bring an incremental economic boost to the city during a time that might otherwise be slow for business.
When a big sporting event is in town, our hotel rooms, restaurants and attractions are full. Attendees spread dollars all around the city, which benefits everyone. In 2013, our top 25 events included seven major sporting events that drew more than a half a million visitors to the city and generated more than $186 million in direct economic impact.
It’s an exciting time for Atlanta. We’ve accomplished so much in the past 100 years and the future holds even more opportunity for our city and our hospitality industry to rise above the competition.
I look forward to working with you throughout the year to keep Atlanta moving toward a bright future.
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Continued productivity growth from Group Sales and Convention Services efforts• Lead volume up 17% over goal• Projected year-end room night bookings at 92-96% of goal• Booked 25 new business opportunities (not in Atlanta for >5 years) representing
290,000 room nights• Enhanced sales efforts with major third party distribution channels resulting in a 10% increase
in hotel room nights and 1% market share growth• Improved lead-to-definite conversion ratio by 1%• 21 of 23 conventions exceeded their attendance goals YTD by 15%
Successfully hosted ASAE 2013 annual meeting• Scored highest satisfaction rating of any ASAE annual meeting• Had highest executive attendance at ASAE annual meeting since 2008• Complimented ATL Files, a high quality episodic video campaign targeting ASAE attendees,
with a final epilogue shown to ASAE 2013 attendees at opening ceremony in Atlanta • Provided ASAE client with comprehensive marketing leadership, designing collateral, signage,
bus wraps, etc. and ensured the ASAE and Atlanta brands were fully integrated through multiple attendee touch points
Implementation of new International strategies• Finalized 2014 marketing plan with Brand USA that includes online and print exposure for Atlanta
in five different languages• Launched an international partnership with three southeastern destinations
Continued positive momentum with visitor metrics from 2012 in City of Atlanta• Occupancy up 1.3% from 2012 to 67.1% (+18.3% from 2009)• REVPAR up 4.9% from 2012 (+ 25.9% from 2009)• Demand up 2.2% from 2012 (+ 27.2% from 2009)*Metro market share of demand in top 25 destinations up to 5.37% from 5.29%
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2013 Highlights
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Significant growth and focusing of marketing initiatives• Growth online:
1. Increased web traffic by 14% year over year 2. Increased page views by 5% year over year 3. Increased our eCRM (social media followers and newsletter subscribers) base by 18% YTD
• Successfully executed a major meeting planner media campaign behind I AM ATL, which won the “Best travel integrated campaign” award from IAC
• Orchestrated a 72 page Atlanta feature in Delta Sky magazine • Successfully executed four consumer co-op campaigns integrating radio, TV, social media,
and digital for summer, Big Boo, Buckhead, and Holiday, which met or exceeded goals • Initiated comprehensive marketing partnerships with Brand USA, Georgia, Travel South USA
and International Gay Lesbian Travel Association for promoting Atlanta
Solid successes with East Point Destination Marketing programs• Promoted East Point as a family reunion destination with comprehensive digital, TV and print
media campaign• Evolved positioning and messaging of East Point, leveraging East Point content across all Atlanta
platforms, including: Airport Visitor Center screens, leisure campaigns, atlanta.net and social media• Redesigned VisitEastPoint.com, East Point Parks & Recreation Guide, and developed Family
Reunion Guide for Atlanta/East Point reunions• Hotel room demand up 16.3% year over year
Held a year-long celebration of ACVB’s 100th anniversary, creating programming with the underlying goal of educating the general public about ACVB and Atlanta’s hospitality industry. • Deals of the Century: monthly special offers featuring a total of 22 attractions and sports teams• Atlanta’s 100 Signature Dishes: received over 225 submissions from Atlanta restaurants • ACVB’s Centennial Cocktail Contest: 67 cocktails were submitted by restaurants and bars voted
on by the general public with 2,500 votes • The Centennial Celebration Gala on April 26th was attended by 1,000 people; Jeff Foxworthy served
as master of ceremonies• Atlanta Business Chronicle featured ACVB’s centennial celebration in their Q2 Hospitality Quarterly
and Atlanta Magazine included a special 100th anniversary section in their October 2013 issue.• The 15th Annual Atlanta Hospitality Hall of Fame served as the year-end celebration for the
100th anniversary.
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2013 Highlights
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Increase room night bookings and maximize 1% Convention Marketing Fund• Room nights:
1. 1,200,000 room night goal for trade show sales 2. 3% increase in room nights for in-house meetings over year-end actuals
• Three-year average of major citywide conventions booked/events (5,000 peak nights and above) to increase to 20 • 925,000 room nights booked for 2,500 peak and above • Leads to increase by 3% over year-end actual
Achieve 100% attendance goal for major citywide conventionsIncrease visibility of Atlanta as one of the top U.S. meeting and travel destinationsMaintain atlanta.net as the premier hospitality online marketing platformPosition ACVB as an industry expert nationally and as the singular voice of hospitality in Atlanta
2013 Goals
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New or significant ramp up in focus• Maximize opportunity with hosting Rejuvenate Conference in Atlanta.
1. Over 1,300 religious conference planners will converge on Atlanta Oct. 27-31, 2014 A. Public relations, marketing, direct sales mobilized to generate attendance and showcase Atlanta
• Re-engineer Update Atlanta programs in D.C. and Chicago 1. Attract more high impact decision makers 2. Create a more interactive environment with customers and stakeholders 3. Smaller, more impactful sessions 4. Experiential program to include presentations relevant to the audience
• Conduct group sales presentations in markets outside of D.C. and Chicago• Restructure partnership with ASAE• Roll into second part of in-house meeting redesign • Revamp sales programs to maximize exposure• Launch international online training resource for hospitality industry• Relaunch meeting planner website based on extensive user research
Continue or enhance focus from prior year • Host four meeting planner FAM tours, totaling 100 participants• Host sales missions in D.C. and Chicago• Attend one major prospect’s event per quarter• Quarterly regional sales calls by each manager• Identify 25 trade shows not considering Atlanta and attend their conventions• Continue efforts in the medical, manufacturing, construction, financial, energy and education
industries to support the sales team’s emerging industries strategy• Host 25 FAM trips for international tour operators• Participate in 70 industry events and trade shows to highlight Atlanta as a premier meeting and
convention destination• Upgrade content and presentation of Attend micro-site for all non-citywide groups• Further enhance our partnership with the major third party partners• Optimize Atlanta’s destination advertising campaign targeted to meeting planners to achieve
maximum reach and impact• Train key staff on utilizing online bid books
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INCREASE ROOM NIGHT BOOKINGS AND MAXIMIZE 1% CONVENTION MARKETING FUND
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New or significant ramp up in focus• Increased destination promotion activities and resources to meeting planners and attendees to drive
attendance, and increase room nights, attendee guest travel and visitor spending with membership via the following activities: 1. Launch targeted content messaging strategy to support key industry groups’ attendees, and exhibitors with redesigned content delivery channels (mobile, social, apps, etc.) 2. Launch digital and print Planners Promotional Timeline to provide Convention Services and their clients with enhanced marketing tools 3. Expand international websites to provide international attendees relevant destination content 4. Target attendees with destination content through social media channels 5. Explore most effective way to facilitate increased international meeting attendance
Continue or enhance focus from prior year• Ensure ACVB efforts are aligned with clients’ goals for major groups• Develop integrated branding minisites, providing online attendance-building marketing for
all full-service citywide groups• Expand visibility of Atlanta at 2014 conventions of 2015 citywide customers
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ACHIEVE 100% ATTENDANCE GOAL FOR MAJOR CITYWIDE CONVENTIONS
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New or significant ramp up in focus• Provide Sales with enhanced collateral and tools
1. Meeting planner and destination videos 2. Redesigned meetings website
• Maximize regional partnerships/alliances focusing on international visitation• Begin leisure market expansion of the I AM ATL destination awareness campaign, while maintaining
historical 2013 meeting planner media weights• Tactically use paid media within social channels to increase advertising reach among
target audiences• Kick-off key influencer strategy, building brand advocates among residents and Atlanta expats
Continue or enhance focus from prior year• Extend partnership approach with EventSphere to other housing companies to influence attendance
of midsize groups• Continue integration of brand messaging across all communication channels• Integrate storytelling approach to evolve brand creative and messaging for richer destination
experiences • Leverage special events, anniversaries, new products and current news to drive continuous
destination coverage• Continue with refreshed summer, Halloween, and holiday co-op campaigns • Further optimize the editorial planning across all media (Web, social, TV and print) while increasing
reach and distribution• Continue successful integration of East Point messaging and East Point Initiative support of both
the group and leisure markets• Curate weekend getaway experience packages for target audiences
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INCREASE VISIBILITY OF ATLANTA AS ONE OF THE TOP U.S. MEETING AND TRAVEL DESTINATIONS
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New or significant ramp up in focus• Launch new responsive design website with curated mobile content• Begin eCRM re-engagement program, merge with social media messaging• Overhaul content for international markets• Develop online resources for sales and meeting planners to increase relevancy and functionality
of Atlanta.net/meetings
Continue or enhance focus from prior year• Continue positioning atlanta.net assets (Web, mobile Web, social) as the definitive source for
information on what to see and do in Atlanta• Ongoing refinement of successful search engine optimization strategy to drive qualified traffic to the
key content categories• Ongoing refinement of eCRM (including social) program to maximize user engagement while
growing user base• Optimize ad model to leverage growth of mobile and provide additional revenue opportunities
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MAINTAIN ATLANTA.NET AS THE PREMIER HOSPITALITY ONLINE MARKETING PLATFORM
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New or significant ramp up in focus• Re-alignment around staffing changes to improve focus on business objectives• Finalize revamped corporate by-laws supporting “best-in-class” industry standards
Continue or enhance focus from prior year• Continue focus on cabinet alignment against industry priorities and initiatives• Engage public and private sector by serving on boards, participating in speaking engagements
and utilizing Atlanta executives in ACVB sales efforts• Maintain relationships with city and state administrations • Maintain leadership positions on hospitality industry boards• Highlight industry expertise through guest columns and editorials
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POSITION ACVB AS AN INDUSTRY EXPERT NATIONALLY AND AS THE SINGULAR VOICE OF HOSPITALITY IN ATLANTA
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Total revenue flat• Public sector revenue up 30% over five years
Payroll and related expenses, for ACVB only, up 2% • 2.5% merit increase pool, • Annual increase in group health of 3%
Operating expenses, direct promotional expenses and expenses for capital assets are relatively flat
2013 Financial Plan
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2014 Summary Budget
2014 BUDGET 2013 FORECAST
Total Revenue $28,593,278 $28,535,404
Total Expense $28,348,089 $28,297,624
Excess (deficiency) $191,189 $237,780
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Total Public Sector Revenue
2014 BUDGET 2013 FORECAST
Georgia World Congress Center - Atlanta
$10,700,000 $10,698,560
Georgia World Congress Center - Fulton Co.
$27,000 $25,090
Atlanta Convention Marketing Fund - 80% $5,436,000 $5,434,188
Atlanta Convention Marketing Fund - 20% $1,359,000 $1,358,547
City of East Point $1,210,000 $1,194,196
Total Public Sector Revenue $18,732,000 $18,710,581
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Total Private Sector Revenue
2014 BUDGET 2013 FORECAST
Annual Meeting/HHOF/HBN $100,000 $168,500
Contributed Services $3,575,000 $3,337,575
Co-op Cash Support $1,215,000 $1,305,585
Grants/Sponsorships $15,000 $12,000
Internet Revenue $1,716,603 $1,702,215
Membership Dues $1,515,000 $1,500,748
Membership Services $20,000 $20,000
Other Revenue $194,000 $382,256
Publication Ad Revenue $1,456,675 $1,395,944
Total Private Sector Revenue $9,807,278 $9,824,823
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Total Expense
2014 BUDGET 2013 FORECAST
Direct Promotional Expense $12,127,168 $12,238,468
Expense Against Capital Assets $1,543,000 $1,602,690
Other Operating Expense $908,510 $813,914
Payroll and Related Expense $8,333,410 $8,208,364
Transfer to ACMF Reserve $5,436,000 $5,434,188
Total Expense $28,348,089 $28,297,624
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Total Budget by Public Entity
2014 REVENUE 2014 EXPENSE
Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. $23,840,000 $23,766,100
ACVB Enterprises, LTD $3,173,278 $3,081,989
ACVB Foundation, Inc. $1,526,000 $1,500,000
Total $28,539,278 $28,348,089
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2013 BOARD of Directors
Chairman, Board of Directors & Executive Committee Nancy Oswald , Co-Owner/Director of Marketing Ruth’s Chris Steak House
President & CEO William Pate, President & CEO Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
Vice Chair, Advisory John Reyhan, Executive Vice President – AGM Skanska USA Building
Vice Chair Brad Koeneman, General Manager Hilton Atlanta
Vice Chair, ACMF Committee Ken Bernhardt Taylor E. Little, Jr. Professor of Marketing and Special Assistant to the Dean for Corporate and Community Relations at the Robinson College of Business Georgia State University Robinson College of Business
Vice Chair, Diversity Committee Erica Qualls, General Manager Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Vice Chair, Finance & HR Committee Armand Vari, Vice President Jacoby Development, Inc.
Vice Chair/Secretary, Chair-Elect Chris Womack, Executive Vice President Southern Company
Vice Chair, Treasurer Ben Shanley, Vice President Distributor Development, Coca-Cola Foodservice & On-Premise Division Coca-Cola North America
Executive Committee Ed Baker *2015, Publisher Atlanta Business Chronicle
Debby Cannon *2015, Director, School of Hospitality Georgia State University - Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality
Jennifer Dorian, *2014, Marketing Committee Chair Senior Vice President, Strategy and Brand Development Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
Tommy Dortch, Jr. *2014, President & CEO TWD, Inc.
Daryl Evans *2013, Vice President Advertising & Marketing Communication AT&T
Sharon Goldmacher *2013, President Communications 21
Niles Harris *2014, General Manager Sheraton Atlanta
Jo Ann Herold *2013, Vice President Brand Marketing Interface, Inc.
Raymond B. King *2015, President & CEO Zoo Atlanta
George McKerrow, Jr. *2014, Co-Owner Ted’s Montana Grill
Peter McMahon *2015, General Manager Hyatt Regency Atlanta
Louis Miller *2014, Aviation General Manager Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Peter Moraitakis *2013, Senior Vice President & COO United Distributors, Inc.
Frank Poe *2015, Executive Director Georgia World Congress Center
Jeff Portman *2014, President & CEO AmericasMart, Inc.
Kris Reinhard, *2014, Membership Committee Chair General Manager Fifth Group Restaurants
Derek Schiller *2015, Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing Atlanta Braves
Alexis Scott *2015, Publisher Atlanta Daily World
ACVB Board Debbie Arett *2013, Regional Travel Manager Avis Rent-A-Car
Leona Barr-Davenport *2013, President Atlanta Business League
Stephanie Barrell *2015, Senior Vice President & Marketing Executive Bank of America
Karen Bremer *2013, Executive Director Georgia Restaurant Association
Candace Byrd *2013, Chief of Staff, Office of the Mayor City of Atlanta
Pedro Cherry *2014, Vice President, Community and Economic Development Georgia Power Company
William Ciccaglione *2015, General Manager Underground Atlanta
Milton Clipper *2014, President & COO Public Broadcasting Atlanta
Robert Coggin *2015, President Alpine Marketing Consultants
Tony Conway, CMP *2013, President & CEO A Legendary Event Design & Catering
Dan Corso *2014, Executive Director Atlanta Sports Council
Mike Dangerfield *2014, President Carey - Executive Limousine
Bobby Donlan *2015, Managing Partner Donlan & Greenbaum’s New York Prime Restaurant
Curly Dossman *2013, President & CEO Georgia Pacific Foundation
Brooke Edmond *2015, Executive Vice President Jackmont Hospitality, Inc.
Mary Eitel *2013, President MKE Communications, Inc.
Mark Elliott *2014, Partner Troutman Sanders, LLP
Julia Emmons *2013, Partner Emmons Bermin & Minkin, LLC
Jorge Fernandez *2014, Vice President, Global Commerce MACOC
Nathaniel R. Goldston III *2013, Chairman & CEO Gourmet Services, Inc.
Alex Gonzalez *2013, President, North America Commercial Equifax
John Grant, Jr. *2015, Chief Executive Officer 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc.
Kevin Green *2015, President & CEO Midtown Alliance
Kevin Greiner *2013, President and CEO Gas South
Sheffield Hale *2014, President & CEO Atlanta History Center / Margaret Mitchell House
Heather Lisa Halpern *2013, Area Manager North Georgia Premium Outlets
Kay Hamner *2013, Owner & CEO KTH Enterprises
DeWayne Herbert *2013, Mall Manager Simon Property Group, Lenox Square & Phipps Plaza
Virginia Hepner *2015, President & CEO Woodruff Arts Center
Robert Hope *2013, President Hope-Beckham, Inc.
Ben Johnston *2013, President & CEO Media Brokers International
Richard Jones *2014, Director of Sales Presenting Atlanta
Niko Karatassos *2013, Director of Operations Buckhead Life Restaurant Group
David Kenney *2013, Chairman Kenney Hotel Group
David J. Kimmel *2015, President & COO Georgia Aquarium
Kevin Langston *2014, Assistant Commissioner for Tourism Georgia Department of Economic Development
Tim Mapes *2014, Senior Vice President, Marketing Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Richard Maples *2014, Vice President of Sales Shepard Exposition Services, Inc.
David Marvin *2013, President Legacy Property Group
Sam Massell *2013, President Buckhead Coalition, Inc.
Mary Pat Matheson *2013, Executive Director Atlanta Botanical Garden
Kent Matlock *2014, Chairman & CEO Matlock Advertising & PR
Dale McDaniel *2013, General Manager Loews Atlanta Hotel
John Metz *2014, CEO Greazey Spoon Development Company
Hal Nowak *2013, Owner Hal’s of Atlanta
Eric O’Brien *2014, Partner Jackson Spalding
Keith T. Parker *2015, General Manager & CEO MARTA
Robert Patterson *2015, President 200 Peachtree
Mark Pettit *2013, President & CEO Creaxion
Fred Rich *2014, CEO Olympus
A.J. Robinson *2014, President Central Atlanta Progress
Andrew Saltzman *2014
Doug Shipman *2014, CEO Center for Civil & Human Rights
Jamie Sims *2015, Founder & Chief WITH Officer WITH/Sims
Steve Smith *2014, Deputy Superintendent & Chief of Staff Atlanta Public Schools
Jim Sprouse *2013, Executive Director Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association
John Stephenson *2015, President & CEO College Football Hall of Fame
Gary Stokan *2014, President Chick-fil-A Bowl
Ron Tarson *2013, General Manager Westin Peachtree Plaza
Guy Thomson *2015, Senior Vice President Pittypat’s Porch Restaurant
Dan Vargas *2014, CEO Dortch Vargas Amigos
Allan Vella *2013, President The Fox Theatre
Bob Walker *2014, Senior Vice President, Brand Solutions Cumulus Media
Tim Walsh *2013, President Lanier Parking Solutions
Anderson Walston *2013, General Manager Freeman
Dexter Warrior *2014, Principal & COO T. Dallas Smith & Co.
Bob Williams *2014, President Atlanta Hawks & Philips Arena
Sam Williams *2015, President Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
Stan Wilson *2013, Managing Partner Elarbee, Thompson, Sapp & Wilson LLP
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2014 BOARD of Directors
Chairman, Board of Directors & Executive Committee Chris Womack , EVP and President, External Affairs Southern Company
President & CEO William Pate, President & CEO Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
Chair, Advisory Board Nancy Oswald, Co-Owner/Director of Marketing Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Vice Chair Brad Koeneman, General Manager Hilton Atlanta
Vice Chair/Chair-Elect Daryl Evans, Vice President, Advertising & Marketing Communication AT&T
Vice Chair, Diversity Committee Niles Harris, General Manager Sheraton Atlanta
Chair, ACMF Committee/Secretary Ken Bernhardt, Regents Professor of Marketing Emeritus Georgia State University
Vice Chair, Treasurer Ben Shanley, Vice President, National Distribution Organization Coca-Cola North America
Vice Chair, Compensation Committee Erica Qualls, General Manager Atlanta Marriott Marquis Vice Chair, Finance & HR Committee Stan Wilson, Managing Partner Elarbee, Thompson, Sapp & Wilson LLP
Executive Committee Ed Baker *2015, Publisher Atlanta Business Chronicle
Stephanie Barrell *2015, Senior Vice President & Marketing Executive Bank of America
Debby Cannon *2015, Director, School of Hospitality Georgia State University - Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality
Tommy Dortch, Jr. *2014, President & CEO TWD, Inc.
Sharon Goldmacher *2016, President Communications 21
Jo Ann Herold *2015, Chief Marketing Officer Interface
Raymond B. King *2015, President & CEO Zoo Atlanta
George McKerrow, Jr. *2014, Co-Owner Ted’s Montana Grill
Peter McMahon *2015, General Manager Hyatt Regency Atlanta
Peter Moraitakis *2016, Senior Vice President & COO United Distributors, Inc.
Frank Poe *2015, Executive Director Georgia World Congress Center
Jeff Portman *2014, President & CEO AmericasMart, Inc.
Kris Reinhard, *2014, Membership Committee Chair General Manager Fifth Group Restaurants
Derek Schiller *2015, Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing Atlanta Braves
Alexis Scott *2015, Publisher Atlanta Daily World
Ron Tarson *2016, General Manager Westin Peachtree Plaza
Armand Vari *2015, Vice President Jacoby Development, Inc.
ACVB Board Debbie Arett *2016, Regional Travel Manager Avis Rent-A-Car
Leona Barr-Davenport *2016, President Atlanta Business League
Karen Bremer *2016, Executive Director Georgia Restaurant Association
Candace Byrd *2016, Chief of Staff, Office of the Mayor City of Atlanta
Pedro Cherry *2014, Vice President, Community and Economic Development Georgia Power Company
William Ciccaglione *2015, General Manager Underground Atlanta
Milton Clipper *2014, President & COO Public Broadcasting Atlanta
Robert Coggin *2015, President Alpine Marketing Consultants
Tony Conway, CMP *2016, President & CEO A Legendary Event Design & Catering
Dan Corso *2014, Executive Director Atlanta Sports Council
Mike Dangerfield *2014, President Carey - Executive Limousine
Bobby Donlan *2015, Managing Partner Donlan & Greenbaum’s New York Prime Restaurant
Jennifer Dorian *2014, Marketing Committee Chair Senior Vice President, Strategy and Brand Development Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
Curly Dossman *2016, President & CEO Georgia Pacific Foundation
Brooke Edmond *2015, Executive Vice President Jackmont Hospitality, Inc.
Mark Elliott *2014, Partner Troutman Sanders, LLP
Julia Emmons, Partner Emmons Bermin & Minkin, LLC
Jorge Fernandez *2014, Vice President, Global Commerce Metro Atlanta Chamber
Neel Gandhi *2015, Associate Principal McKinsey & Co.
Nathaniel R. Goldston III *2015, Chairman & CEO Gourmet Services, Inc.
Alex Gonzalez *2016, President, North America Commercial Equifax
John Grant, Jr. *2015, Chief Executive Officer 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc.
Kevin Green *2015, President & CEO Midtown Alliance
Kevin Greiner *2015, President & CEO Gas South
Sheffield Hale *2014, President & CEO Atlanta History Center / Margaret Mitchell House
Heather Lisa Halpern, Area Manager North Georgia Premium Outlets
DeWayne Herbert *2016, Mall Manager Simon Property Group, Lenox Square & Phipps Plaza
Virginia Hepner *2015, President & CEO Woodruff Arts Cente
Robert Hope *2016, President Hope-Beckham, Inc.
Ben Johnston *2016, President & CEO Media Brokers International
Richard Jones *2014, Director of Sales Presenting Atlanta
Niko Karatassos *2016, Director of Operations Buckhead Life Restaurant Group
David J. Kimmel *2015, President & COO Georgia Aquarium
Kevin Langston *2014, Assistant Commissioner For Tourism Georgia Department of Economic Development
Tim Mapes *2014, Senior Vice President, Marketing Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Richard Maples *2014, Vice President of Sales Shepard Exposition Services, Inc.
David Marvin *2014, President Legacy Property Group
Sam Massell *2016, President Buckhead Coalition, Inc.
Mary Pat Matheson *2014, Executive Director Atlanta Botanical Garden, Inc.
Kent Matlock *2014, Chairman & CEO Matlock Advertising & PR
Dale McDaniel *2016, General Manager Loews Atlanta Hotel
John Metz *2014, CEO Greazey Spoon Development Company
Bill Morrison *2015, Vice President Skanska USA Building
Hal Nowak *2016, Owner Hal’s of Atlanta
Eric O’Brien *2014, Partner Jackson Spalding
Keith T. Parker *2015, General Manager & CEO MARTA
Robert Patterson *2015, President 200 Peachtree
Mark Pettit *2016, President & CEO Creaxion
Fred Rich *2014, CEO Olympus
A.J. Robinson *2014, President Central Atlanta Progress
Andrew Saltzman *2014
Doug Shipman *2014, CEO Center for Civil & Human Rights
Jamie Sims *2015, Founder & Chief WITH Officer WITH/Sims
Steve Smith *2014, Deputy Superintendent & Chief of Staff Atlanta Public Schools
Jim Sprouse *2016, Executive Director Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association
John Stephenson *2015, President & CEO College Football Hall of Fame
Gary Stokan *2014, President Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Guy Thomson *2015, Senior Vice President Pittypat’s Porch Restaurant
Rick Thorpe *2016, Associate Athletics Director, Sales & Fan Experience Georgia Tech
Dan Vargas *2014, CEO Dortch Vargas Amigos
Allan Vella *2016, President The Fox Theatre
Bob Walker *2014, Senior Vice President, Brand Solutions Cumulus Media
Tim Walsh *2015, President Lanier Parking Solutions
Anderson Walston *2016, General Manager Freeman
Dexter Warrior *2014, Principal & COO T. Dallas Smith & Co.
Bob Williams *2014, President Atlanta Hawks & Philips Arena