ATLANTA– Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) will recognize four exceptional individuals for their contributions to the hospitality industry at the 10th annual Atlanta Hospitality Hall of Fame™ event. 2008 inductees include Stephanie Hughley, executive producer of the National Black Arts Festival; George McKerrow, president and CEO of Ted’s Montana Grill; Abner Nelms, long time doorman of The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead; and Spurgeon Richardson, president and CEO of ACVB.

The induction ceremony will take place on October 27 at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead. The Hospitality Hall of Fame™ is proudly presented by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, The Coca-Cola Company, AT&T, Delta Air Lines, General Motors, and WXIA-TV, 11 Alive. Tickets to the dinner and award ceremony are $125 each or $2,000 for a table of 10.

Stephanie Hughley
Artistic leadership balanced with a creative and global vision for Atlanta and the world
In 2008, the National Black Arts Festival celebrated its 25th anniversary, in many ways marking the tenured success of Stephanie Hughley as the festival’s executive producer, a role she has occupied since 1999. Under Hughley’s leadership, the festival has returned to the format of an annual event and has developed a sound financial and artistic standing, placing Atlanta as the home to one of the top art festivals in the United States. Prior to her role as executive producer, Hughley served as the festival’s artistic director from 1987-1992, implementing the artistic vision for the festival through appropriate programming with more than 100 events spread across eight artistic disciplines. Her dedication to Atlanta is also evident in her work on the board of the Metro Atlanta Arts and Culture Coalition, while her commitment to the arts is demonstrated on a national level through her consultant work with organizations such as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Essence Cares Steering Committee.

Georgia McKerrow
Legendary leader in Georgia hospitality
George McKerrow makes Atlanta taste great, whether his restaurants are serving visitors, residents or anchoring Atlanta as the home of successful national restaurant chains. McKerrow has started and ended his career with successful national restaurant chains anchored in Atlanta, from the opening of Longhorn Steakhouse in 1981 to the more recent partnership with Ted Turner on Ted’s Montana Grill in 2002. In between, McKerrow founded RARE Hospitality International and partnered with members of Atlanta’s restaurant community on some of the city’s most nationally-acclaimed concepts including Aria and Canoe. McKerrow was honored as the first to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Georgia Restaurant Association in 2007.

Abner Nelms
Hospitality enhanced by style and class
When The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead marks its 25th anniversary in January 2009, Abner Nelms will mark his 25th anniversary at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead. Nelms is among the first of the “Ladies and Gentlemen” hired when the hotel opened, and his gracious manner and easy smile is familiar to the hotel’s loyal guests. A native Atlantan, Nelms spent three years out west where he helped open MGM Grand Hotel in Reno-Tahoe while working in Guest Services before returning home to Atlanta. He has since made a career of welcoming guests to his favorite city.

Spurgeon Richardson
Driven to succeed; leaving a legacy of success
Richardson’s retirement at the end of 2008 caps 17 years at the helm of ACVB as president and CEO, making him the longest-tenured CEO of any in ACVB history. Under Richardson's leadership, the ACVB became one of the first bureaus in the country to develop a cultural tourism department, launch a destination Web site, begin a diversity marketing program, start a charitable foundation, implement a performance-based compensation system and to form a corporate development department, all of which have helped project Atlanta as a great destination city. During his time with ACVB, Atlanta has produced the Centennial Olympic Games, Super Bowls, Major League All-Star Games and numerous world-class events. The city witnessed the growth of hotel rooms to over 91,000, three expansions of the Georgia World Congress Center, the evolution of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as the busiest airport in the world, the development of downtown Atlanta as a destination and the city has consistently ranked among the top convention and meetings destinations in the United States. Visitor growth reached 37 million in 2007 with over $11 billion in economic impact.

Established in 1913, ACVB is a private, nonprofit organization created to favorably impact the Atlanta economy through conventions and tourism. For more information or to order tickets, visit www.atlanta.net or contact Judy Claxton, jclaxton@atlanta.net.