Planning for the 2017 Annual Georgia Downtown Association Conference in Columbus is in full swing!  In the coming weeks and months ahead, I'm sure you'll be contacted by one of our board members in regards to auction items, sponsorship, session proposals,
volunteering etc.  Any help you can provide is very much appreciated.

UPCOMING DEADLINES: 

May 1, 2017:  The Georgia Downtown Association has announced their Call for Session Proposals. We would like to release a list of suggestions made by our Membership, GDA Board and Main Street Managers statewide for what would be the most pertinent topics in downtown, economic and community development. Please consider these topics and submitting a session from expertise that aligns to the topic.  Click here:  Session Proposals Form  |  Session Ideas  

 
GDA Conference Sponsorship Opportunities

More than 200 Downtown Professionals attended the 2016 Annual Georgia Downtown Conference. Marketing your company with the Georgia Downtown Association (GDA) allows you to reach downtown decision makers in a cost effectiv
eway.   GDA offers an array of benefits for companies of all sizes and is able to customize packages to help you maximize the return on your investment.  We enjoy and look forward to working with corporate partners to strengthen downtown development in Georgia.

Learn More:  GDA Sponsor Opportunities

Georgia Downtown Development Professional Certification Program


This is not an April Fool's joke - the deadline to submit your Downtown Development Professional application is APRIL 1, 2017.  Click the above link to start completing your application today!  The exam date is scheduled for May 17, 2017.


National Main Street Conference Scholarship Recipients

Each year during the Annual Georgia Downtown Conference, funds are raised from the Silent Auction to assist Downtown Development professionals registration and travel expenses to attend the Main Street NOW Conference.

Congratulations to Becky Smyth (Rome), Catherine Edgemon (Perry) and Josephine Kelly (Porterdale) for each receiving a $1,000 scholarship to attend the upcoming national conference in Pittsburgh, PA.

Heart & Soul Downtown Workshop

The Georgia Municipal Association and Georgia Cities Foundation are pleased to announce the 2017 Heart & Soul Downtown Workshop, which will be conducted on Wednesday, May 24, in downtown Madison.  This six-hour training event is available to municipal elected officials, city staff, and DDA Board members. Click the above link for registration information. 
Annual Achievement Awards

One of the many benefits of being a Georgia Downtown Association member is recognizing your community's downtown development efforts through the Annual Achievement Awards. 


Have you completed a downtown project in your community this year?  Do you want to recognize an outstanding volunteer from your community?  Did you create an event in your downtown that superseded your expectations?  We want to hear about it!

Nomination information will be sent out in May so start brainstorming now!
Beer Bill - SB85

Good news for the Georgia craft brew industry.  The Senate voted to do away with prohibition-era laws and allow breweries to sell directly to consumers.  Now it's on its way to Governor Deal for a signature.  Highlights of SB85:  strikes the language requiring tours, free samples & free souvenirs, allow breweries & distilleries to sell directly to the consumer for on-premise consumption and to go.

Learn more >  GA Legislature Approves Direct Sales from Craft Breweries