Annual meeting launches new podcast and recognizes Athens Hospitality Award winners.
Athens, Ga. (October 30, 2025) – Visit Athens GA, the official tourism marketing organization for Athens, Georgia, announced the launch of Athens: Off the Record—the organization’s brand-new podcast—and recognized the winners of the Athens Hospitality Awards at its annual meeting held at Live Wire in downtown Athens.
Visit Athens announced that its new podcast, Athens: Off the Record, will launch in January 2026. To help debut the announcement, the organization hosted a live recording at the annual meeting featuring host Cameron Jay Harrelson and Katie Williams, Executive Director of Visit Athens GA.
Athens: Off the Record takes listeners inside Athens’ creative heartbeat. Presented by Visit Athens and hosted by Harrelson, of the popular Classic City Crime podcast, the podcast spotlights the musicians, makers and MVPs who shape the city’s sound, flavor and culture. Each episode shares the stories—both legendary and new—that define Athens’ one-of-a-kind creative community. Conversations will not only celebrate local voices and talent, but will also be amplified through Visit Athens’ marketing channels to reach new audiences and inspire future visitors.
“This year marks an exciting chapter for Athens as we continue to grow, innovate and share our community’s stories in new ways,” said Katie Williams, Executive Director of Visit Athens GA. “From the launch of our Athens: Off the Record podcast to the continued success of our partners and award winners, Athens’ hospitality industry continues to set the bar high — fueling both our economy and our sense of place.”
The 2025 Athens Hospitality Awards were also presented during the meeting, celebrating exceptional contributions to Athens-Clarke County’s vibrant tourism and hospitality community. This year’s winners include:
The Partner of the Year Award went to Peter Dale, celebrated Athens restaurateur and owner of Five & Ten, The National, Seabear Oyster Bar, Maepole and Condor Chocolates. A longtime advocate for Athens’ culinary community, Dale has been instrumental in supporting initiatives such as Athens Restaurant Week and has partnered with Visit Athens on creative projects like the custom Visit Athens chocolate bar. His commitment to collaboration and innovation continues to elevate the city’s dining scene and visitor experience.
The Hospitality HERO (Hospitality Employees Recognition) of the Year Award was presented to Ana Gomes, Housekeeping Manager at Springhill Suites Downtown Athens. Known for her exceptional dedication to service, Gomes goes above and beyond to create memorable guest experiences while fostering a positive and inclusive workplace for her team. Fluent in multiple languages, she embodies Athens’ welcoming spirit and inspires those around her through empathy, professionalism and genuine care for both guests and colleagues.
The Classic Host Award was given to Breanna Matheson of the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government. As a Program Coordinator, Matheson plays a vital role in bringing large-scale conferences and leadership events to Athens, generating significant economic impact for the community. Her work coordinating programs for the Georgia Association of Tax Officials, Georgia Association of Voter Registration and Election Officials and other statewide organizations continues to strengthen Athens’ position as a premier meetings destination.
The Louis Griffith Hospitality Leadership Award was presented to Lee Epting, founder of Epting Events. A pioneer of Athens’ modern hospitality industry, Epting helped shape the city’s restaurant and event landscape through more than 40 years of leadership, creativity and service. From opening one of downtown Athens’ first fine dining restaurants to catering high-profile events such as the Carter Center Opening Gala and the 1996 Olympic Games, his impact on the local and national event scene is unmatched. A dedicated mentor and community advocate, Epting has supported countless local nonprofits and inspired generations of hospitality professionals whose careers began at Epting Events.
High-resolution images of the award recipients are available for download here.
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About Visit Athens GA
Visit Athens GA is the official destination marketing organization for Athens-Clarke County, Ga, providing roadmaps for visitors and residents to personal, creative journeys through the destination. Its primary goal is to increase the economic impact of the hospitality and visitor industry by attracting individual visitors, groups and meetings and conventions to Athens. Tourism works for Athens, contributing more than $454 million in spending, $32.4 million in local and state tax revenue in 2023 and putting more than 4,400 people to work.
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