We are sad to share the news that Jim Martin, CAE, JD passed away January 1, 2022. Jim served 35 years as the president of the Georgia Society of CPAs. He was awarded GSAE’s Clifford M. Clarke Award in 1984 and served as GSAE’s president from 1981-1982. The full obituary is available online, including funeral service information.

Our sincere condolences to Jim’s family and especially to our colleagues at the Georgia Society of CPAs. 

Ginny Izydore from Barnley Resort received the SITE Southeast Lifetime Achievement Award. Ginny is recognized for her efforts and contributions to the hospitality profession. Read full press release.

Visit Savannah’s Marketing and Communications team won the Tourism Leadership Council's 2021 Board of Directors Award for Tourism and Hospitality Excellence. Congratulations, Congratulations to the Visit Savannah team! Read press release here.

Photo: courtesy of Visit Savannah 

Experience Columbia SC has won three first place SC Best in Business 2021 Awards: Best Hospitality Business, Best Tourism Business, and the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center earned Best Meeting Venue. Congratulations to GSAE member and Annual Meeting sponsor, Beth Shaffer!

Sheryl Ehlers, Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center, earned her CMP designation recently. The Events Industry Council’s (EIC) Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) program is recognized around the world as a badge of excellence in the events industry. Learn more about the CMP program.

Discover Dunwoody announces Mike Jackson (MJ) as its new director of sales. With more than 20 years of industry sales experience, MJ will bring valuable knowledge to the destination as he leads promotional efforts for its meetings, events and groups, specifically. Read full press release.