Trish Butcher graduated from Clarke Central High School and works in Athens as a lawyer and small business owner, now working alongside several other CCSD grads! She shares her experience and advocates for current students to consider technical vocations when deciding their career paths.

Hors d'oeuvres, drinks, live music, and guided tours will be provided. There will be a special garden dedication to Marilyn Farmer, who was a resident of Arbor Terrace of Athens, a past ATHENA Honoree, and a life-long contributor to the Athens Community.

Join us as we celebrate and honor nominees for the annual ATHENA Leadership Award! This year's luncheon will be held at the beautiful Athens Country Club. Hope to see you there and thank you in advance for your support!



Date and Time

Thursday, Dec 7, 2023

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST

Join us for Network Lunch at Hope Haven! This special Network Lunch will provide an opportunity to mix and mingle with our Leads Group members and learn more about joining a network of trusted referral partners

Date and Time

Tuesday Dec 12, 2023

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST

Date and Time

Thursday, Dec 14, 2023

8:00 AM - 9:15 AM EST

Make plans to join us for breakfast as we hear from our elected officials on their focus for the upcoming 2024 Legislative Session.  Join us for a Pre-Legislative Update with the Athens-Clarke County Delegation. We are honored to have our elected officials on our panel:

Frank Ginn, 47th District

Spencer Frye, 118th District

Houston Gaines, 117th District

Marcus Weidower, 119th District

Welcome to the AACOC, Local!

Local takes you back to a time when rock music was grungy; when coffee was the drug of choice; where live music was a priority; and sitting around with your friends was exactly what you wanted to be doing. On the coffee aspect - it doesn’t get ANY better than their offerings. Their Baristas are Bartenders without the alcohol. If you can make it up, they can make it!

Moms Adopting Moms was first imagined and its proof of concept launched in 2018 but only recently is it being made into a 501c3 charity. They are based out of Athens, Georgia, and will serve families in the 12 counties of Region 5 initially, and then put the model they have developed into the hands of other regions and states to implement nationwide. 

The mission is simple - create and maintain a supportive and nurturing relationship between the foster and biological mothers whose children they have in common in order to achieve reunification and maintain that connection beyond reunification.

Welcome to the AACOC, Rowen!

Rowen is Georgia’s hub for the intersection of business and innovation with an active focus on the environment, agriculture, and medicine. They are building a visionary knowledge community to include a combination of offices, research facilities, public spaces, residences, and preserved green space. The project will provide unparalleled direct and indirect economic benefits to Gwinnett County. Rowen will provide jobs, education, space for collaboration, community, and enjoyment of the site’s natural beauty.

Welcome to Southeast Energy Solutions, your trusted partner for clean and sustainable energy. They understand the importance of quality and reliability when it comes to solar energy, which is why they work with the best solar partners in the industry to deliver top-notch installations that are easy to maintain and incredibly efficient. With their affordable rates and long-lasting solar solutions, you can start saving money and reducing your carbon footprint today.

The Classic Center is excited to announce the return of holiday favorite, Breakfast with Santa, at The Classic Center Atrium on Saturday, December 9, at 8:30 a.m.

Georgia Trend Magazine selects 500 of the Most Influential Leaders in Georgia each year to publish in a special magazine edition, Georgia 500. This year, Paul Cramer, President/CEO of The Classic Center, was among the group selected.

“I am truly honored to be recognized in such a prestigious magazine.” Paul Cramer said, “To work alongside the leaders of our community and to be selected among the top leaders in this state is remarkable. I look forward to continuing economic growth in Athens and within the hospitality industry.”

The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) selects a class of 20 professionals in the global event industry in their twenties to be recognized each year for making a difference in their workplace and the industry. Alison Melvin, Convention and Conference Sales Executive at The Classic Center, was among the 20 recipients awarded in PCMA’s Class of 2024.

The Classic Center Cultural Foundation is pleased to announce the 2023 community grant recipients. Join the Cultural Foundation in congratulating the following organizations on their efforts to support the arts and workforce development in our community:



· Lydia’s Place: “Level Up” Hospitality Workforce Program

· DIVAS Who Win Freedom Center, Inc.: Freedom Rhythm Drum Circles

· Canopy Studio, Inc.: “Canopy: The Musical!” performance

· Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School: “I Am An Ambassador” Hospitality Workforce Development

The UGA Athens Area Alumni Board is excited to announce the launch of a local scholarship. The Athens Alumni Chapter Scholarship Fund is an endowed scholarship fund supporting incoming UGA students from Clarke, Madison, Oconee, Greene, Jackson, Barrow, or Oglethorpe counties.

This scholarship will help an academically promising student from the communities surrounding UGA, with special preference for those students who exhibit financial need. Our goal is to ensure that students from communities closest to UGA will always have access to the University in their backyard.

Every gift, in any amount, helps our chapter step closer to offering permanent, strong support to students from the Athens Area. Not only can you help students build stronger connections with the place they call home, you can empower a new breed of Bulldog to become leaders ready to build a better future.