In about ten days, Augusta’s near $1 billion tourism industry will take a bow as it honors key contributors and looks ahead to 2027.
(From L to R)
Derek May and Karen Gordon will receive President’s Awards from Destination Augusta, while Kim Dillard picks up the Community Spirit Award, and Meadow Garden receives the honor as Tourism Partner of the Year.
Brief bios are below.
Awards will be handed out during the annual Augusta State of Tourism event on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at the Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center.
The annual event showcases how tourism continues to fuel Augusta’s growth, vibrancy, and quality of life. Bennish Brown from Destination Augusta and Michelle Pippin from the Augusta Sports Council will provide a report on 2026 tourism milestones and what lies ahead for 2027 and beyond.
“Tourism is one of the strongest engines for Augusta’s growth. We are celebrating what we have accomplished together while inviting our community to learn more about the excitement in progress,” Brown said. “This event is about celebrating the people behind that work and looking ahead to where we go next together.”
Here are the honorees from the Augusta Tourism Awards:
Derek May, President’s Award
May is the Board President of Augusta Tomorrow, overseeing the vision for the 2035 Master Plan of the Future in Downtown Augusta, which directly intersects with Tourism.
May is the President of Azalea Investments with responsibilities to grow the downtown Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center, Azalea Outdoor Billboard company, and many commercial real estate ventures.
Karen Gordon, President’s Award
Gordon is a longtime community leader in Augusta who led a huge “Grow Together” community event in late April of this year. The event was split between a celebration of live music, community art, and local talent, along with a business session to connect the community, companies, and the workforce.
Kim Dillard, Community Spirit Award
Dillard is the Park and Volunteers Director of Phinizy Center and Nature Park. She has over 20 years of Recreation and Children’s Programming experience, including the Fort Gordon Recreation Area, Eckerd Youth Alternatives, and The Salvation Army Kroc Center of Augusta. Her “people person” personality allows her to be an ongoing and dependable Volunteer with many nonprofit organizations.
Meadow Garden, Tourism Partner of the Year
With this year being the 250th anniversary of our country, the timing was perfect to select the home of George Walton, Georgia signer of the Declaration of Independence, as its Tourism Partner of the Year.
It’s been open to the public since 1901 and is one of the oldest house museums in the United States. The property is a National Historic Landmark, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is also a contributing property within the Augusta Canal Industrial National Register Historic District. 1320 Independence Drive www.historicmeadowgarden.org
General admission is $10 with various discounts.
