Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1524031
B M & T ••• July/August 2024 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 7 8. East Point is proud to boast that the Atlanta Community Food Bank calls the community home! Their mission is to fight hunger by engaging, educating, and empowering our community. They work with nearly 700 community-based non- profit partners to distribute nine million+ meals across metro Atlanta and north Georgia each month. A LEADER IN GEORGIA: 9. East Point is the first city in Metro Atlanta to develop a City Agriculture Plan. Since 2021, East Point has achieved remarkable milestones including establishing a local Food Ecosystem Commission and local food brand "East Point Grown;" sponsoring and hosting more than 50 events for 3,500 plus community members; investing in more than 20 local food system partner organizations; and providing technical assistance to support sustainable local growth. 10. In 1993 - history was made in East Point. Patsy Jo Hilliard became both the first woman and the first African American ever elected Mayor in East Point and Georgia. Hilliard remained mayor until 2006, longer than any other East Point mayor. About East Point Convent-ion and Visitors Bureau: East Point Convention & Visitors Bureau (EPCVB) is a distinguished organization committed to excellence and promoting the City of East Point, Georgia, as a unique pre- mier travel destination of "Where The World Meets." EPCVB strives to strengthen tourism, support local businesses, and create noteworthy expe- riences for travelers through strategic branding, destination management, and community partnerships. The City of East Point is vibrant with culinary pleasures, rich with history and spirited culture that captivates visitors from around the world. For more information visit www.visiteastpoint.org . Find ECVB on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. ATLANTA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU'S 111TH ANNUAL MEETING Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau's 111th annual meeting was held in the Georgia Ballroom at Georgia World Congress Center. The meeting highlighted the city's booming culinary scene, the upcoming major events and conventions and the recently announced downtown developments. The event featured a culinary panel with guests; Ligaya Figueras, senior editor, Food & Dining, The Atlanta Journal- Constitution;*Freddy Money, culinary director, Atlas and The Garden Room; Adam Noyes, CEO, Proof of the Pudding. Bob Somers, chair of the board of directors, ACVB; Adam Noyes, CEO, Proof of the Pudding; Steve Smith, partner, Pendleton Group; Ligaya Figueras, senior editor, Food & Dining, Atlanta Journal-Constitution; Freddy Money, culinary director, Atlas & The Garden Room; William Pate, president and CEO, ACVB ABOUT ATLANTA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Established in 1913, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for the city and serves to favorably impact Atlanta's economy through conven- tions and tourism. Visit discoveratlanta.-com and @discoverat- lanta on social media for more information. EVENTS INDUSTRY COUNCIL AND OAK VIEW GROUP ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP Landmark New Alliance Will Take Sustainable Event Venues To The Next Level Recently, the (Events Industry Council (EIC) announced a new strategic partnership with Oak View Group (OVG), the global leader in sustainable venue operations. The part- nership – the largest of its kind in scale – will allow the Oak View Group convention center portfolio to deepen its com- mitment to sustainability and better support the green meet- ing & exhibition aspirations of its clients and partners. OVG plans to certify its entire convention portfolio of 60+ venues, in a phased approach, including Chicago's McCormick Place, the Miami Beach Convention Center, the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, and the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida.