Georgia Governor's Tourism Conference hosted 475 tourism industry professionals at The Classic Center in Athens, Georgia August 29-September 1, 2010. What a week it was!  The ADCG was among the GTC sponsors.

Even though the ADCG sponsorship was at the "Groupie" level, the council had a very good presence. Vice Chair Bill Ronay and BOD members Linda Parrish and Camille Ronay attended.

Linda prepared the ADCG display in the Registration area.  We had the good fortune to be located at the top of the escalator where every delegate had the opportunity to pick up a Membership Prospectus and stop to chat with Linda, Camille or Bill during the many breaks each day.  Fellow ADCG Board Member, Chuck Jones, was very pleased with ADCG participation and sponsorship.  However, with the Athens CVB as host, Chuck was kept on the "go" and we managed to chat with him whenever we could catch him "standing still"...which was rare!

ADCG provided the glass vase centerpieces for the Governor's Award Lunch on Wednesday.  As such, this was the pinnacle of interest and focus at the end of what had been a "techno-packed" information highway of sessions and networking.  If the attendees had no idea of what Social Media is and what part it plays in the Tourism Industry before...it has every detail now engraved on the minds of those who paid attention.

The forty glass vase center pieces, one on each table in the room, incuded the GTC logo on one side and the ADCG logo on the reverse.  At the base and nearly wrapping around the entire cylinder was the day's motto, "Arts In The Heartland".  Peggy Holcomb, Director of Oconee County Tourism, was extremely pleased to have this expression of unity as a part of the total conference image.

One lucky attendee at each table was afforded the opportunity to take this unique, limited edition memento to their home or office.  Two vases were also placed on the dais for the entire room to see and appreciate.

Rockdale Career Academy, Technology Student Association created these vases along with the engraved inserts in the actual Governor's Awards.  A Rockdale County High School, RCA/TSA is one of only a few schools in Georgia at the Secondary level to encourage independant career development, entreprenurial training, systems and skills training on a countywide basis.

Mike Lamb, Architecture and Graphics Instructor, was instumental in teaching the students to operate the sophisticated laser etching machine.  "This was the largest order received so far for our students to create and produce," said Mr. Lamb in a recent interview.

Created by Master Woodcarver and Athens/Clarke County resident Abraham Tesser  (seen here with Governor Sonny  Purdue) the eight Governor's Awards and forty glass vases are now in the hands of Tourism Industry professionals across Georgia.

ADCG thanks the Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau to be a part of the 2010 Conference...and for this opportunity to join in collaboration with the students of RCA/TSA.