Recognizing Excellence in Hospitality

The Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau presents annual awards to honor outstanding individuals in the Athens-Clarke County hospitality industry. 

Louis Griffith Hospitality Leadership Award Recognizes a management-level employee who has displayed exceptional leadership in the the Athens hospitality industry and the community as a whole.  2009 Recipient:  E.H. Culpepper, for his long and distinguished career and championship of hospitality and economic development initiatives.
Classic Host Award Recognizes a member of the Athens community who has demonstrated the greatest commitment to bringing to Athens a convention, meeting, or event generating a significant economic impact. 2009 Recipient:  Johnny Fowler, for his dedication and service to the North Georgia United Methodist Annual Conference
Hospitality H.E.R.O.E.S. of the Year Award Honoring front-line staff for outstanding visitor service. 2009 Recipient: Lesley Nelms, Executive Housekeeper, Hilton Garden Inn, for consistently going above and beyond to ensure positive visitor experiences.