2015 annual report and 2016 business plan

2015Annual Report

2016Business and Financial Plan

2015 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL PLAN1

ACVB Mission To 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 Vision To be the best and most hospitable city with

which to do business

About ACVB Established in 1913

Markets Atlanta to tourists, convention attendees,

meeting planners and business travelers

Promote entire destination:

• Hotels• Restaurants

• Attractions, etc.

94,571 hotel rooms in metro Atlanta

Bed tax collected on city of Atlanta accommoda-

tions (22,600 rooms), primarily in:

• Downtown • Midtown • Buckhead


“

Atlanta’s hospitality industry continued to thrive in 2015. Metro Atlanta welcomed 51 million visitors in 2015, year-

end hotel occupancy levels rose to 72 percent – the highest-ever recorded for the city of Atlanta – and the Center

for Exhibition Research ranked Atlanta third in the U.S. in total number of exhibitions with 378.

Atlanta hosted 18 major citywide conventions last year, and ACVB’s sales team booked 26 new business opportu-

nities for the city. Our group sales lead volume finished 10 percent over goal, and we grew the TAP report pace from

109 percent at the start of the year to 115 percent by year end.

We continued to affirm Atlanta as a city of championships, booking the 2018 College Football Playoff National

Championship and 2020 NCAA Men’s Final Four. At the beginning of 2016, Atlanta was also awarded Super Bowl

LIII, to be played in 2019. These three events, which will all take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, will be a strong

trifecta for the hospitality industry as we close out the decade.

Along with these events, our convention business remains very strong. This year, we will host 17 major citywide

conventions. Our booking pace over the next eight years continues to outperform, tracking at 112 percent.

Our destination continues to experience record-breaking success due to the dedication and talent of the ACVB staff

and our collaborative hospitality community. Atlanta remains the world’s most welcoming city, and this what keeps

our 51 million visitors coming back year after year.

President’s Letter

William PatePresident and CEOAtlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau


Chairman’s Letter

Daryl EvansChairman of the Board of DirectorsAtlanta Convention & Visitors BureauSVP Mobile, Media and Advertising StrategyMediaLink

I am honored to once again serve as chairman of the board for Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau. As an active

member of Atlanta’s hospitality community for 30 years, I have never seen momentum like Atlanta is experiencing

now. has experienced over the past few years.

My tenure with board started just two years after the Centennial Olympic Games. The city was coming off an unbe-

lievable high of hosting a world-class event. The wheels of development began to turn, with plans for a reinvented

convention and tourism corridor centered around Centennial Olympic Park, which included Georgia Aquarium,

World of Coca-Cola and the Children’s Museum of Atlanta.

In 2014, the city welcomed additional hospitality product which included the Center for Civil and Human Rights,

College Football Hall of Fame and Chick-fil-A Fan Experience and the Atlanta Streetcar. Centennial Olympic Park is

now the centerpiece it was always envisioned to be.

In 2015, development continued beyond Downtown. Zoo Atlanta, Center for Puppetry Arts and Atlanta History Cen-

ter unveiled expansions and new exhibits. The Shops of Buckhead Atlanta and Krog Street Market joined Ponce

City Market on the city’s shopping and dining scene.

As we look ahead to the end of the decade, our momentum will continue to be unmatched due to the dedication of

ACVB staff and our members of the hospitality community.

Reprising my role as chairman of the board of directors, I look forward to working with the board, the leadership

and staff of ACVB to ensure the success of our industry in 2016 and for many years to come.


ACVB Convention Marketing Fund

Current contract dated 1984 with expiration in 2017, major amendments in 1992 and 2011

Contract is between ACVB and Georgia World Congress Center Authority

Bed Tax Background

First 7%

Last 1%

100%

22.5%ACVB

39.3%Georgia Dome

28.56%City of Atlanta

9.64%GWCC


36%TRANSPORTATION

21%LODGING

2015 DOMESTIC VISITOR EXPENDITURES

$15 Billion

Impact of Meetings, Events and Tourism

19%DINING

13%SHOPPING/RETAIL

8%ENTERTAINMENT/RECREATION

3%MISCELLANEOUS

51 Million

250,000

$2.5 Billion

VISITORS IN 2015

metro Atlanta residents are employed in the leisure and hospitality industry

in new hospitality development to close out the decade

ATLANTA WILL OPEN

14M36MDOMESTIC BUSINESSDOMESTIC LEISURE

1.2MINTERNATIONAL

MISC...

2015Highlights

7

2014 ANNUAL REPORT 2015 BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL PLAN

in City of Atlanta reached a record-high at

OCCUPANCY

LEVELS

RE-LAUNCHED ATLANTAMEETINGS.COM with improved resources for meeting planners

reaching a year-end level of revenue growth of

2015 ACVB Awards Meetings & Conventions Gold Service Award

23rd consecutive year

Successful Meetings Pinnacle Award 24th consecutive year

Cvent top 50 cities for meetings and events Atlanta ranked No. 5

Smart Meetings Platinum Choice Award 5th consecutive year

Corporate & Incentive Travel Award of Excellence 2nd consecutive year

SilverTelly Marketing attendance building video

PRSA Georgia Phoenix Award “Atlanta Welcomes the World” media relations campaign

Allie Award Hospitality Hall of Fame ceremony

2015 Highlights

72%RANKED

7thin occupancy growth among the

TOP 25 DESTINATIONS

IN THE U.S.

ATLANTA


Grew TAP Report pace at

109% 115%

10%

860c o n v e n t i o n s ,meetings & events

representing

NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES BOOKED

26OVER GOAL

GROUP SALES LEAD VOLUME UP

ACVB HOSTED

at start of year to

by year

end

Sales Highlights

major citywide conventions

HOSTED

18

528,185 ROOM NIGHTS


Convention Services

12 TO PROMOTE ATLANTA FOR 2016 CONVENTIONS

annual UpNext Atlanta in Washington, D.C., which was attended by

Served on American Alliance of Museums hospitality committee

35 customers

HO

ST

ED

CUSTOMERPLANNING SITE VISITS

major customer events 1122ND

Worked with trade show sales to plan and host TSNN AWARDS, which brought in 50 VIP SHOW MANAGERS and 200 OTHERINDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES.

TRAVELED TO

HOSTED


International Tourism

40 325

a prestigious three-day event attended by top tourism leaders from China and the U.S.

INTERNATIONALattendees from 15 countries

FAM trips DRAWINGH

OS

TED

10 13TRADESHOWS

Participated inINTERNATIONAL

SALESMISSIONS

Awarded 2017 U.S.-China Tourism Leadership Summit

Organized successful industry briefing on

“International Tourism to Atlanta” at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum


Membership

Hosted six Connect events, five

member orientation meetings, three

industry briefing events and nine FMO

training sessions, drawing

ATTENDEES

Inducted three new members into the

ATLANTA HOSPITALITY

HALL OF FAME

119NEW MEMBERS

75membership retention rate

Secured

ACVBattendees815

ANNUAL MEETING

drew

1,823

ATTENDEES496%


Marketing

14%67%

INCREASED LEISURE

CAMPAIGNIMPRESSIONS

SIXNEIGHBORHOOD

VIDEOS

INCREASED WEB TRAFFIC

INCREASED eNewsletter IMPRESSIONS

SUCCESSFULLY EXECUTED

THREE CONSUMER

CO-OP CAMPAIGNS

11%

Launched SITSum, a social media influencer

conference resulting in 93 million impressions during the three-day event

YEAR

OVER

YEAR

AND A 12-MONTH MEETING PLANNER CAMPAIGN

Created

NEWS


Public Relations

Continued implementation of three-year international PR plan, including five international FAM trips from France, UK, India, Mexico and Brazil

on Atlanta.

Directly influenced

12396

CONSUMER STORIES ANDCONVENTION TRADE STORIES

60 VISITING MEDIA

Hos

tedRANKED

TRAVEL + LEISURE’S

“Most CHARMING”

“Friendliest CITIES”AMONG

2016BusinessFinancial

Plan and


2016 Goals

12345

Achieve 100 percent attendance goal for major citywide conventions

Increase room night bookings and maximize 1% convention marketing fund

Increase visibility of Atlanta as one of the top U.S. meeting and travel destinations

Maintain Atlanta.net as the premier hospitality online marketing platform

Continue to position ACVB as an industry expert nationally and as the singular voice of hospitality in Atlanta


“

Increase room night bookings and maximize 1% convention marketing fund

New or significant ramp up in focus

Expand group travel market by hosting National

Tour Association (NTA) annual meeting

> Top tour operators controlling the majority of

domestic group tours

> Expose these tour operators to all of Atlanta’s

major assets

Expand international travel by hosting Travel

South – International Showcase

> International travel buyers with a specific

interest in the South

> Expose these travel buyers to all of Atlanta’s

major assets

> Partner with Rhythms of the South to

maximize opportunity

Shift our sales message to the anticipated GWCC

connector and hotel. As these projects continue to

be considered, we will create the buzz during the

booking window to ensure we capture

incremental convention business if these projects

come to fruition.

Continue or enhance focus from prior year

Expand opportunities within the emerging

“Independent Show Organizer” (for-profit) market

Re-vamp sales programs to maximize exposure

Re-structure CEO Lounge at ASAE annual meeting

based upon 2015 experience

Further optimization of in-house sales efforts and

small meetings

Restructure Midwest sales strategy in order to

better maximize opportunities

Roll out conversion to new CRM system through-

out the company

Re-develop key customer engagement strategy

with key accounts

Finalize all details for major sporting bid

specifications

Significant increase in focus on China with U.S. –

China Tourism Leadership Summit

Adding eight new sales programs and retiring 11

existing sales programs

Finalize details on additional third-party partner

program

Host four meeting planner FAM tours, totaling 100

participants

Host sales missions in Washington, 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 convention

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 55 industry events and trade shows

to highlight Atlanta as a premier meeting and con-

vention destination

2016 Goals (continued)


“

Further enhance our partnership with the major

third-party partners and monitor production quarterly

Continue to optimize Atlanta’s destination advertising

campaign targeted to meeting planners to achieve

maximum reach and impact

Achieve 100 percent attendance goal for major citywide conventions


Work with convention planners to maximize

destination marketing opportunities and utilization

of attendance-building enhanced services offerings

> Market Atlanta at 12 customer conventions in

preparation for their 2017 convention in Atlanta

> Expand Convention Services (CS) role and

increase level of engagement and time spent

with customer accounts by adding an additional

CS manager and re-allocating balance

of accounts per manager

> Develop service strategy for major sporting

events by early participation of dedicated CS

leads in LOC planning efforts, aligning CS

services and resources with LOC needs, and

developing internal LOC for inter-department

support


Coordinate media FAMs with PR for top citywide

groups

Launch scalable and responsive mini-sites for all

ACVB convention and meeting clients

Work with PR and marketing to repurpose ACVB

advertorials, articles and releases for customer-

to-attendee communications and news sections

Introduce new exhibitor e-newsletter, customizable

for citywide customers to support exhibit sales and

services

Active participation in event services educational

resources/webinars to learn best practices and

new ideas in attendance-building efforts from

external organizations and cities via CS

membership in ESPA

Ensure ACVB efforts are aligned with clients’ goals

for major groups

Continue targeting attendees with destination

content through social media channels

Continue exploration of most effective manner to

facilitate increased international meeting atten-

dance

Develop integrated branding mini-sites, providing

online attendance-building marketing for all

full-service citywide groups

Re-design international websites to provide

relevant destination content

Continue to build value for customers and

sponsors with UpNext supplier showcase and

presentation to highlight Atlanta resources for

marketing and event planning

Launch I Am ATL stories with associated itinerary

content



“

Increase visibility of Atlanta as one of the top U.S. meeting and travel destinations


Expand leisure marketing of I Am ATL destination-

awareness campaign and evolve the meeting

planner campaign

Develop an international sales presentation

with in-language VO, prioritizing South American

markets


Maximize regional partnerships/alliances focusing

on international visitation

Launch meeting planner-oriented editorial strategy

with relevant monthly articles

Leverage Music Voyager video to create episodic

content and distribute across appropriate channels

Enhance the media buying strategy to more effec-

tively span digital and social channels to reach the

target audiences

Host a social media influencer FAM/conference

with national and international reach

Provide sales and service with enhanced collateral

and tools

> Print pieces and trade show booths

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 new and emerging product, existing

assets, industry research and current news to drive

continuous editorial destination coverage

Continue with refreshed summer, Halloween and

holiday co-op campaigns

Curate weekend getaway experience packages for

target audience

Maintain Atlanta.net as the premier hospitality online marketing platform


Design and execute for mobile to reflect significant

behavioral shift online from desktops to mobile

devices


Significantly expand use of video and strong

visuals to drive traffic

Train sales and convention services to leverage

new online resources and increase relevancy and

visibility of AtlantaMeetings.com

Expand international websites to include Chinese

and additional relevant destination content



“

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 (SEO) strategy to drive qualified traffic

to key content categories

Ongoing refinement eCRM (includes social) pro-

gram to maximize user engagement while growing

user base

Optimize ad model to leverage growth of mobile

and provide additional revenue opportunities

Continue to position ACVB as an industry expert nationally and as the singular voice of hospitality in Atlanta


Marketing to provide membership with enhanced

selling tools – collateral, business case and tiered

digital/social packages

Rollout of new company-wide CRM software


Continue focus on cabinet alignment against

industry priorities and initiatives

Engage public and private sector by serving

on boards, fulfilling 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



“

Total revenue up 4.7 percent

> Public sector revenue up 3.5 percent over 2015

forecasted year-end (2015 up 7.5 percent over

2014)

> Private sector up 7.3 percent due to program

variations and hosting industry meetings

Payroll and related expenses, for ACVB only, up

6.5 percent

> 2.5 percent performance-based merit increase

pool

> Three new positions (two added year end 2015)

> Group insurance renewal increase

Direct promotional expenses up 6.9 percent due to

increased revenue available for programs and due

to marketing fund

Operating expenses and expenses against capital

assets are relatively flat

2015 Financials

Total Public Sector Revenue

2016 BUDGET 2015 FORECAST

Georgia World Congress Center - Atlanta $13,516,866 $13,025,000

Georgia World Congress Center - Fulton Co. $35,000 $35,285

Atlanta Convention Marketing Fund - 80% $6,865,710 $6,615,873

Atlanta Convention Marketing Fund - 20% $1,716,427 $1,653,968

Total Public Sector Revenue $22,134,003 $21,330,126

Total Private Sector Revenue2016 BUDGET 2015 FORECAST

Annual Meeting/HHOF/HBN $150,000 $143,000

Contributed Services $4,110,575 $3,415,000

Co-op Cash Support $1,464,340 $1,300,500

Grants/Sponsorships $15,000 $13,500

Internet Revenue $175,000 $181,000

Membership Dues $1,375,000 $1,420,000

Membership Services $20,000 $17,000

Other Revenue $221,000 $372,000

Publication ad Revenue $1,200,000 $1,275,000

Total Private Sector Revenue $8,730,915 $8,137,000


“

2015 Financials

Total Expense2016 BUDGET 2015 FORECAST

Direct Promotional Expense $11,835,242 $11,067,344

Expense Against Capital Assets $1,675,000 $1,541,500

Other Operating Expense $923,510 $966,150

Payroll and Related Expense $9,280,340 $8,711,000

Transfer to ACMF Reserve $6,865,710 $6,615,873

Total Expense $30,579,802 $28,901,867

Total Budget By Corporate Entity2015 REVENUE 2015 EXPENSE

Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. $27,963,918 $27,874,982

ACVB Enterprises, LTD $1,375,000 $1,204,820

ACVB Foundation, Inc. $1,526,000 $1,500,000

$30,864,918 $30,579,802


ACVB Executive Team

Daryl EvansChairman of the Board of Directors

William PatePresident and CEO

Gregory PierceExecutive Vice President, CAO/CFO

Mark VaughanExecutive Vice President, Chief Sales Officer

Andrew WilsonExecutive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer

Amy PattersonVice President, Business Development and Corporate Events

Marcus MargerumVice President, Community and Governmental Affairs


2015 Board of Directors

Chairman, Board of Directors & Executive Committee

Daryl Evans SVP Mobile, Media and Advertising StrategyMediaLink

President & CEO

William PatePresident & CEOAtlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau

Chair, Advisory Board

Chris Womack EVP and President, External AffairsSouthern Company

Vice Chair/Chair-Elect


Chair, ACMF Committee/Secretary

Ken Bernhardt Regents Professor of Marketing EmeritusGeorgia State University

Vice Chair, Treasurer

Ben Shanley SVP, National Foodservice OperationsCoca-Cola North America

Vice Chair, Compensation Committee

Erica Qualls-Battey General ManagerAtlanta Marriott Marquis

Vice Chair, Finance & HR Committee

Stan Wilson Managing PartnerElarbee, Thompson, Sapp & Wilson LLP

Executive Committee

Ed Baker PublisherAtlanta Business Chronicle

Debby Cannon Director, School of HospitalityGeorgia State University- Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality

Chris CoanVP & General Manager, Business & Government Markets Gas South

Tommy Dortch, Jr.President & CEOTWD, Inc.

Nancy Oswald Co-Owner/Director of MarketingRuth’s Chris Steak House

Sharon Goldmacher Presidentcommunications 21

Jo Ann Herold CMOInterface

Raymond B. King President & CEOZoo Atlanta

Brad Koeneman General ManagerHilton Atlanta

George McKerrow, Jr.Co-OwnerTed’s Montana Grill

Peter McMahon General ManagerHyatt Regency Atlanta

Peter Moraitakis Senior Vice President & COOUnited Distributors, Inc.

Frank PoeExecutive DirectorGeorgia World Congress Center

Jeff Portman President & CEOAmericasMart, Inc

Kris ReinhardMembership Committee Chair General ManagerFifth Group Restaurants

Derek SchillerPresident, Business Atlanta Braves

Alexis ScottBoard Member

Ron TarsonGeneral ManagerWestin Peachtree Plaza

Armand VariVPJacoby Development Inc.

ACVB Board

Leona Barr-DavenportPresidentAtlanta Business League

Karen BremerExecutive DirectorGeorgia Restaurant Association

Candace ByrdChief of Staff, Office of the MayorCity of Atlanta

Mark CastriotaGeneral ManagerLoews Atlanta Hotel

Pedro Cherry CFAGeorgia Power Company

William CiccaglioneGeneral ManagerUnderground Atlanta

Robert CogginPresidentAlpine Marketing Consultants

Tony ConwayPresident & CEOA Legendary Event Design & Catering

Dan CorsoExecutive DirectorAtlanta Sports Council

Mike DangerfieldPresidentCarey Executive Limousine

Bobby Donlan Managing PartnerDonlan & Greenbaum’s New York Prime Restaurant

Brooke EdmondExecutive Vice PresidentJackmont Hospitality, Inc.

Mark ElliottPartnerTroutman Sanders, LLP



Julia Emmons Board Member

Jorge Fernandez VP, Global CommerceMetro Atlanta Chamber

Hector GallardoVP, SalesCoca-Cola Company

Neel Gandhi Associate PrincipalMcKinsey & Co.

Nathaniel R. Goldston III Chairman & CEOGourmet Services, Inc.

John Grant, Jr.Executive Director Celebration Bowl

Kevin Green President & CEOMidtown Alliance

Sheffield HalePresident & CEOAtlanta History Center / Margaret Mitchell House

Heather Lisa HalpernGeneral ManagerNorth Georgia Premium Outlets

DeWayne HerbertMall ManagerSimon Property Group, Lenox Square & Phipps Plaza

Virginia HepnerPresident & CEOWoodruff Arts Center

Robert HopePresidentHope - Beckham, Inc.

Ben JohnstonPresident & CEOMedia Brokers International

Richard JonesDirector of SalesPresenting Atlanta

Niko KaratassosDirector of OperationsBuckhead Life Restaurant Group

Kevin Langston Assistant Commissioner for TourismGeorgia Department of Economic Development

Tim MapesSVP, MarketingDelta Air Lines, Inc.

David Marvin PresidentLegacy Property Group

Sam MassellPresidentBuckhead Coalition, Inc.

Kent MatlockChairman & CEOMatlock Advertising & PR

John MetzCEOGreazey Spoon Development Company

Hala ModdelmogPresidentMetro Atlanta Chamber

Hal NowakOwnerHal’s of Atlanta

Adam NoyesSVPProof of the Pudding

Eric O’BrienPartnerJackson Spalding

Keith T. ParkerGeneral Manager/CEOMARTA

Robert PattersonPresident200 Peachtree

Mark PettitPresident & CEOCreaxion

Fred RichCEOOlympus

A.J. RobinsonPresidentCentral Atlanta Progress

Andrew SaltzmanEVP & Chief Revenue OfficerAtlanta Hawks and Philips Arena

Jamie Sims Founder & Chief WITH OfficerWITH/Sims

Steve SmithBoard Member

Miguel Southwell Aviation General ManagerHartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Jim SprouseExecutive DirectorGeorgia Hotel & Lodging Association

John StephensonDirector of strategic partnerships and special projectsChick-fil-A

Gary StokanPresidentChick-fil-A Peach Bowl

Guy ThomsonSr. Vice PresidentPittypat’s Porch Restaurant

Rick ThorpeAssociate Athletics Director, Sales & Fan ExperienceGeorgia Tech

Dan Vargas CEODortch Vargas Amigos

Allan VellaPresidentThe Fox Theatre

Anderson WalstonGeneral ManagerFreeman

Dexter WarriorPrincipal & COOT. Dallas Smith & Co.

Bob Williams PresidentAtlanta Hawks and Philips Arena


2016 Board of DirectorsChairman, Board of Directors &

Executive Committee


President & CEO

William PatePresident & CEOAtlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau

Chair, Advisory Board

Chris Womack President, External AffairsSouthern Company

Vice Chair, ACMF Committee/Secretary

Ken Bernhardt Regents Professor of Marketing EmeritusGeorgia State University

Vice Chair, Secretary

Chris Coan VP & General Manager, Bus. & Govt. MarketsGas South

Vice Chair

Erica Qualls-Battey General ManagerAtlanta Marriott Marquis

Vice Chair Treasurer

Stan Wilson Managing PartnerElarbee, Thompson, Sapp & Wilson LLP

Executive Committee

Ed BakerExecutive in ResidenceGeorgia State University

Karen Bremer CEOGeorgia Restaurant Association

Debby Cannon Director, School of HospitalityGeorgia State University- Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality

Tommy Dortch, Jr. President & CEOTWD, Inc.

Sharon GoldmacherPresidentcommunications 21

Raymond B. King President & CEOZoo Atlanta

Brad Koeneman General ManagerHilton Atlanta

George McKerrow, Jr.Co-OwnerTed’s Montana Grill

Peter McMahon General ManagerHyatt Regency Atlanta

Peter Moraitakis Senior Vice President & COOUnited Distributors, Inc.

Nancy Oswald Co-Owner/Director of MarketingRuth’s Chris Steak House

Frank Poe Executive DirectorGeorgia World Congress Center Authority

Jeff PortmanPresident & CEOAtlanta Convention Centerat AmericasMart

Kris ReinhardMembership Committee Chair PartnerFifth Group Restaurants

Derek Schiller President, Business Atlanta Braves

Alexis Scott Board Member

Ben Shanley SVP, National Foodservice OperationsCoca-Cola North America

Ron TarsonGeneral ManagerWestin Peachtree Plaza

Armand Vari Vice PresidentJacoby Dev. Inc.

ACVB Board

Cynthia AlfordManaging DirectorDestination South Meetings & Events

Leona Barr-DavenportPresidentAtlanta Business League

Candace ByrdChief of Staff, Office of the MayorCity of Atlanta

Mark CastriotaGeneral ManagerLoews Atlanta Hotel

Pedro CherrySVP, Metro Atlanta RegionGeorgia Power Company

Charlie CobbDirector of AthleticsGeorgia State University

Robert CogginPresidentAlpine Marketing Consultants

Tony ConwayFounder & CEOLegendary Events

Dan CorsoExecutive DirectorAtlanta Sports Council

Mike DangerfieldPresidentCarey Executive Limousine

Bobby Donlan Managing PartnerDonlan & Greenbaum’s New York Prime Restaurant

Brooke EdmondExecutive Vice PresidentJackmont Hospitality, Inc.

Bijan Eghterdari PresidentLanier Parking

Mark ElliottPartnerTroutman Sanders, LLP

Julia EmmonsBoard member

Jorge Fernandez VP, Global CommerceMetro Atlanta Chamber

Hector GallardoVP, National SalesCoca-Cola Company

Alex GonzalezBoard MemberCreative Growth Ventures, LLC

Nathaniel R. Goldston IIIChairman & CEOGourmet Services, Inc.

John Grant, Jr.Executive DirectorCelebration Bowl



Martin Gray CMOGeorgia Aquarium

Kevin Green President & CEOMidtown Alliance

Sheffield Hale President & CEOAtlanta History Center / Margaret Mitchell House

Heather Lisa HalpernGeneral ManagerNorth Georgia Premium Outlets

Virginia Hepner President & CEOWoodruff Arts Center

Jo Ann Herold VP, Brand MarketingInterface

Robert Hope PresidentHope - Beckham, Inc.

Ben Johnston President & CEOMedia Brokers International

Richard JonesPresidentPresenting Atlanta

Niko Karatassos President & CEO Buckhead Life Restaurant Group

Kevin Kobishop General Manager Sheraton Atlanta Hotel

Kevin LangstonDeputy Commissioner For TourismGeorgia Department of Economic Development

Robert LoweGeneral ManagerMandarin Oriental Atlanta

Tim Mapes SVP, MarketingDelta Air Lines, Inc.

David Marvin PresidentLegacy Property Group

Sam Massell PresidentBuckhead Coalition, Inc.

Stan MorrellDirector Stone Mountain Park

Kent Matlock Chairman & CEOMatlock Advertising & PR

Rich McKay President & CEOAtlanta Falcons

John Metz CEO & OwnerSterling Spoon Management Services

Hala ModdelmogPresidentMetro Atlanta Chamber

Hal Nowak OwnerHal’s of Atlanta

Adam Noyes SVPProof of the Pudding

Eric O’BrienPartnerJackson Spalding

Keith T. ParkerGeneral Manager/CEOMARTA

Mark PettitPresident & CEOCreaxion

Jack PribloDirector of Corporate MarketingGeorgia Pacific

Fred RichCEOOlympus

A.J. Robinson PresidentCentral Atlanta Progress

David RubingerPublisherAtlanta Business Chronicle

Andrew SaltzmanEVP & Chief Revenue OfficerAtlanta Hawks and Philips Arena

Kris SheaVP, Business DevelopmentThe Juice Studios

Jamie SimsCEO & President WITH/Sims

Steve SmithSr. ConsultantPendleton Group

Jim Sprouse Executive DirectorGeorgia Hotel & Lodging Association

John Stephenson Director, Strategic Partnerships & Special ProjectsChick-fil-A, Inc.

Gary StokanPresident & CEO Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

Scott StuckeyGeneral ManagerOmni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center

Guy ThomsonVP & Co-OwnerPittypat’s Porch Restaurant

Rick ThorpeAssociate Athletics Director, Sales & Fan ExperienceGeorgia Tech

Drew Tull General ManagerSouthern Exchange at 200 Peachtree

Jane TurnerExecutive DirectorChildren’s Museum of Atlanta

Dan VargasCEODortch Vargas Amigos

Allan VellaPresidentThe Fox Theatre

Anderson WalstonGeneral ManagerFreeman

Dexter WarriorPrincipal & COOT. Dallas Smith & Co.

Bob WilliamsPresidentAtlanta Hawks and Philips Arena

2015 annual report and 2016 business plan

Documents