Sun, August 23, 2026

Facebook-f Youtube Instagram
Newsletter Sign up
Show Support
Menu

Tourism
B2B Stories

Inaugural event to help businesses build teamwork

For the Augusta Sports Council, sports equal fun and big business. Now the organization wants to help businesses, big and small, to tap into the fun. The council has announced its major fundraising event for this fall. The Big Recess calls on businesses to participate in a one-day athletic challenge. It will provide friendly competition along with promoting teamwork and networking among the businesses. Michelle Pippin, the council’s CEO, told ABD this inaugural event welcomes teams from businesses of all sizes to compete against companies of comparable size. “We have

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre August 21, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Military and private sector leaders gather to talk security, education, and mission

This is what the city’s largest conference and one of the city’s largest non-sporting events looks like. TechNet Augusta 2026 is underway at the Augusta Convention Center. This marks the 14th year Augusta has hosted the event. Destination Augusta estimates 6,000 attendees will pump $3.5 million into metro Augusta’s economy. Sponsored by the Augusta Chapter of AFCEA International, it brings together the military and private sector to present the latest advances in technology from military, government, academia, and industry professionals. Tuesday’s keynote addresses included speeches from MG Ryan Janovic of

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre August 19, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

3 CSRA counties in SC in the running for hosting murder retrial of infamous lawyer

Aiken, Edgefield, and McCormick counties are in the running to be the venue to retry Alex Murdaugh for the double murders of his wife and son. One problem: the trial starts over Masters Week 2027. Yours truly spent Friday in a Lexington, South Carolina courtroom during a hearing. One of the motions related to the venue, and several areas were disqualified. Here are my thoughts on an incredible display of lawyering. 

Read More »
Neil Gordon August 17, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Local basketball boosts economy

A few tournaments in the next few weeks will bring in big money and big crowds to the CSRA tourism trade. Currently, Nike is hosting the Nike Junior Championships, followed by the nationally renowned Nike Peach Jam. According to Destination Augusta and the Augusta Sports Council, 20,000 visitors are expected to stay at area hotels, dine, and shop while in town. For the entire month of July, tourism professionals in our area expect there to be more than $12 Million in economic impact.

Read More »
Neil Gordon July 8, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Augusta’s airport looks for ways to keep up with growing demand

The recent onslaught of travelers during Masters tournament caused a special meeting of the Augusta Aviation Commission committee. The meeting of the Air Services Committee was to do an airport-wide critique of services that directly impacted arrival and departure operations. Committee chairman Randy Sasser told ABD he called the meeting to find opportunities for improvement in airport operations, adding air travel continues to grow, and Augusta needs to keep pace. At no time is that more obvious than the two weeks when golf fans from around the world arrive for

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre June 24, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Showing off Augusta to FIFA fans

Augusta was on the welcome mat as the first round of games in Atlanta for FIFA World Cup 2026 kicked off this week. Explore Georgia, the tourism arm of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, created “Georgia, The Whole Day Through” at the World Congress Center. As visitors walk through the front door, they will spot a quintessentially Augusta display.  A mini-golf course. Tourism staff got a visit from a famous couple. “Some people just grab a club, grab a scorecard, grab a ball,” Karen Davis, Chief Marketing Officer at

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre June 18, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

June events source of pride for tourism officials

More than 80% of visitors to the Garden City will come from just two organizations that are holding events. Nearly 30,000 of the estimated 34, 340 visitors are expected to attend meetings, reunions, events, and sporting events in Augusta’s River Region. According to Destination Augusta and the Augusta Sports Council, events will generate at least $4,400,868.48 in total estimated economic impact (EEI) in June 2026.  The two biggest visitor events of the month include the Pride Augusta rally weekend and the Juneteenth Augusta festival. There are also Education conferences, a Toy

Read More »
Neil Gordon June 5, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Simon Says: Job challenges in the hotel and restaurant space

Prior to Masters, the leisure and hospitality space lost 1500 jobs over a few months. In general, employment in the Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area continued to fall in March, shedding 200 jobs.  Private education and health services continued to add jobs, with another 200 added in March. Over the last year, this sector has added over 2,200 jobs, while the overall employment level has only increased by 200, confirming this sector as the major driver of employment growth nationally and locally. Locally, employment in private education and health services has

Read More »
Dr. Simon Medcalfe, AU Hull College of Business Economics Professor May 26, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

It’s not just for Masters anymore

A local agency created to help Masters tournament visitors is also available for major events year-round. The Masters Housing Bureau (MHB) was created more than half a century ago, sanctioned by the Augusta National Golf Club. “The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Augusta National came together and formed the Masters Housing Bureau,” Director LaShandrea Redd explained for ABD. “We are very happy that we get the privilege of working with numerous homeowners throughout the CSRA to help them find renters for their lovely properties for Masters, Peach Jam,

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre May 22, 2026 No Comments
B2B Stories

Huge tournament impact at Augusta Regional this year

Leaders at Augusta Regional Airport are still crunching the numbers, but the first review showed increased activity and revenue. Members of the Aviation Commission learned results are up across the board, from arrivals and departures to security screening and jet fuel sales. “The fact that what we pull off with the size of the facility, and what we try to do every year, it’s really miraculous. We kind of punch well above our weight come Masters Week,” executive director Herbert Judon, Jr. told commission members. Kenneth Hinkle, the airport’s Director

Read More »
Dana Lynn McIntyre May 7, 2026 No Comments
Load More