Athens, GA – Paul Cramer, President and CEO of The Classic Center, has been honored with the esteemed Tom Kilgore Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Georgia Tourism Awards, presented by the Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (GACVB). The Georgia Music Collections exhibit from the University of Georgia Libraries at 
Akins Ford Arena was also recognized as a 2025 Travel Blazer for its impact on destination development.
For 30 years, Cramer has played a key role in shaping Athens as a premier destination for meetings, events and entertainment. Under his leadership, The Classic Center has expanded into a 350,000-square-foot facility featuring a performing arts theatre, a versatile pavilion with an ice rink and the newly opened Akins Ford Arena, an 8,500-seat venue and home to the Athens Rock Lobsters. His vision and commitment to advancing tourism and hospitality have made a lasting impact, making him a deserving recipient of this distinguished honor.
The Tom Kilgore Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding, lifelong dedication to Georgia’s tourism industry. Named after Tom Kilgore, a legislator from Douglasville and early champion of tourism, the award has been given to just 11 recipients. Cramer’s leadership and contributions continue to shape Athens’ tourism landscape, cementing his reputation as a visionary in the field.
During the GACVB Annual Conference, the Georgia Music Collections was named a 2025 Travel Blazer, an award celebrating innovative destination development projects that enhance local tourism. Installed by the University of Georgia Special Collections Libraries, the exhibit inside Akins Ford Arena honors more than 200 legendary artists who have shaped Georgia’s musical heritage. The interactive installation features historic instruments played on iconic stages, performance costumes, and a collection of posters, memorabilia and albums spanning multiple genres and four interactive stations where visitors can explore the state’s rich musical legacy.
These awards highlight Athens’ and The Classic Center’s ongoing dedication to cultural tourism, economic development and community enrichment. The Georgia Tourism Awards celebrate individuals, organizations and initiatives that drive the state’s tourism industry forward. The recognition of Paul Cramer and the Georgia Music Collections underscores the innovative and collaborative spirit that defines Georgia’s tourism landscape.
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About the Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (GACVB)
The Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (GACVB) is a nonprofit trade association representing more than 150 destination marketing organizations in Georgia. The association’s mission is to advance Georgia’s tourism industry through advocacy, professional development and collaboration
About The Classic Center
Located in Athens, Georgia, The Classic Center is a premier multi-use conference center, performing arts theatre and covered outdoor pavilion. The center hosts a wide range of events, including conventions, conferences, meetings, weddings, concerts, sporting tournaments and special events. The newly opened Akins Ford Arena further enhances The Classic Center’s ability to bolster the economic, entertainment and cultural well-being of Athens, offering expanded event capabilities and accommodating up to 8,500 attendees.
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