Issue 38 • February 6, 2026 • Athens, GA
Director's Letter
Hey everyone, As we move further into February 2026—with holiday decorations safely stored and the spring semester in full swing—I want to extend a warm welcome back to everyone at the Georgia Center (or a continued warm welcome to those who never left). The new year is well underway, and our dedicated behind-the-scenes teams have been working diligently to ensure everything remains fresh, functional, and ready for the busy months ahead. Facility Upgrades We have successfully completed Phase 1 of the hot water and steam pipe upgrades. The new equipment now delivers reliably hotter showers and steamier conferences—without the dreaded mid-shampoo temperature drops. Consider it our early Valentine’s gift to anyone who values consistent warmth on these cooler mornings. Weather Response and Team Pride This week, we’re rebounding from two weekends of unusually wintry weather—ice and snow in Athens, of all places. I am extremely proud of every division for stepping up to support our campus partners, maintaining safe and warm conditions for students and employees alike. Your efforts made a real difference during challenging conditions. Last Friday’s all-employee meeting in Masters Hall was a highlight. Each division shared a thoughtful look back at the past six months and an ambitious preview of 2026 initiatives and projects. As I noted there, the scope is nothing short of “Outrageous”—in the best possible way. Supporting Our Students With students fully back on campus and classes in full rhythm, I encourage each of us to serve as mentors, guides, and reliable helpers. Their energy and success reflect well on all of us—and our support plays a key role in helping them thrive. Commitment to Standout Guest Moments Let’s make the remainder of 2026 the year of exceptional guest experiences: a genuine hello, a smile that can brighten even the grayest February day, and proactive assistance with bags, directions, or any other need. Continue to keep our beautiful Georgia Center at its best—pick up as you go, maintain high standards, and treat every space as if it’s next on the deep-clean schedule. I am genuinely excited about what lies ahead this year and deeply grateful to have each of you on the team. Let’s make it great.
2025 EOY Meeting: A strong finish. An even stronger start.
The Georgia Center closed out 2025 on a high note, celebrating big wins and building energy for the year ahead. FY26 is already showing our strongest momentum in five years, with the Hotel leading revenue and F&B flipping last year’s struggles into early positive gains. That same sense of progress showed up across the Center. Group Sales delivered a record year and is already ahead of pace for FY26, while Continuing Education reached thousands of learners across Georgia and around the world. Guest experience stayed front‑and‑center too, with the Hotel earning excellent scores and maintaining its AAA Three‑Diamond rating. Behind the scenes, Facilities kept major projects moving, IT rolled out faster systems and upgraded Wi‑Fi, and MarCom strengthened our brand with new creative tools, updated web content, and expanded outreach. The meeting wrapped with a clear message: keep elevating hospitality, stay sharp and professional, and continue building stronger teamwork. With new initiatives underway and fresh opportunities ahead, 2026 is set to be a year of even more growth.
Fending Off Back-to-back Winter Weather Weekends
Huge appreciation goes out to Bo Brewer, James Greer, Jill Carnes, and Matt Bradshaw for volunteering to stay at the Georgia Center through both an ice storm and a snowstorm on back‑to‑back weekends. Their commitment ensured the building remained fully operational during extremely challenging conditions. They also worked tirelessly to keep sidewalks safe so guests and staff could move around without worry. Thank you all for stepping up when it mattered most and showing true dedication to our mission.
Matt Bradshaw, Oglethorpe's First Responder of 2025
Enormous congratulations to our own Matt Bradshaw, who was recently named Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) of the Year by Oglethorpe County EMS. Known affectionately as “McGyver” by his colleagues in the Georgia Center’s Maintenance Department, Matt is not only a certified emergency medical responder but also a dedicated volunteer firefighter. Matt truly embodies the Georgia Center’s core values—collaboration, empathy, meaningful impact through everyday interactions, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in service. We’re proud to celebrate his outstanding contributions both here at the Center and in our broader community.
ESOMAR Appoints Pam Bracken Co‑Representative for the US
As ESOMAR (European Society for Opinion and Market Research) Co‑Representative for the United States, Pam will serve as an ambassador for ESOMAR, helping advance the organization’s global mission to promote the value, application, and impact of opinion and marketing research. Pam's appointment strongly reflects both her professional expertise and the Georgia Center's commitment to education and excellence in market research. Congratulations, Pam, on this recent appointment!
Kudos On Your New Roles !
Congratulations to Ann, Emily, and Sam on their new positions at the Georgia Center. Ann Honiotes steps into her role as Accounts Payable & Workforce Manager, while Emily Clance begins her new chapter as a Hotel Sales Professional, and Sam Martin takes on the position of Catering Sales Professional. Together, their achievements reflect the continued growth and excellence of our team, and we’re excited to see the impact each of them will make in their new roles.
Celebrating a Generous Gift to the Georgia Center
The Georgia Center is pleased to recognize Robin J. Hoban for the thoughtful donation of a beautifully framed, signed Alvar Sunol La Reveuse lithograph. Inspired by past visits to geospatial conferences at UGA, Ms. Hoban returned to campus to deliver the artwork, which will enhance the Center’s longstanding Alvar collection.
The gift was warmly received by Patrick Fulbright, Georgia Center Interim Director, and Jake Grant, Hotel General Manager, who expressed appreciation for the meaningful contribution and the continued connection it represents.
GC Leaders Attend UGA’s 2026 Freedom Breakfast
Members of the Georgia Center Executive Council joined campus and community partners at the 22nd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Breakfast on January 16, 2026. Held at the Tate Center Grand Hall, this year’s gathering centered on “Leading change. Lifting community,” bringing together hundreds to honor Dr. King’s enduring legacy and reflect on the shared responsibility of advancing justice, dignity, and community.
Keynote speaker Jay Bailey, president and CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, encouraged attendees to lead change by starting with “the three feet around you,” emphasizing the impact of small, everyday actions.
Grow Your Skills: USG’s Great Start & Great Basics
Want to strengthen your day-to-day skills or better understand how USG supports the work we do at the Georgia Center? Great Start provides a clear introduction to how the System Office and Board of Regents operate, giving helpful context for our campus-wide efforts.
For practical tools you can use right away, Great Basics offers short, interactive sessions on communication, emotional intelligence, and collaboration that support success in our fast-paced environment.
Both programs are virtual, free, and open to all USG employees.
Wellness Corner
As we move closer to spring, it’s a good time to reset some small daily habits. Take the last five minutes of your day to write down tomorrow’s top three priorities. This small habit helps create mental closure, reduce after-hours stress, and sets you up to start the next morning feeling focused and organized.
Credits:
Images by Adobe Stock, GC Marcom, Chamberlain Smith, and individual GC contributing employees.