James May-June 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 29
hen people normally
work so closely with groups like Visit
think of economic deMacon and OVG360 to create new
velopment, they think
experiences and grow that number.
of manufacturing…of warehouses…
So why come to Macon-Bibb
of major industries…of thousands
County? What is it here that attracts
of jobs. One of the things they don’t
so many visitors?
think about is tourism.
We have history. We have variety.
However, in Macon-Bibb hospiWe have a musical heritage. We have
tality and tourism are a major part
great food. We have an amazing
of our economy. That’s why we have
downtown. We have recreational opa strong focus on creating a
sense of place that will attract
people to visit us, and then
hopefully move here. Or if they
don’t move here, then we want
them to come back over and
over and over again.
Macon-Bibb is such a
unique place, and I’m proud to
call it my lifelong home. Any
city can build a facility or create a marketing plan to attract
Ocmulgee Mounds
people, but what makes us
unique and what keeps bringing people back is our people. These
portunities for people of all ages and
are people who work at our tourism
athletic abilities. You could spend
sites, in our restaurants and at our
a week here and not take in all we
concert venues. They love this city
have to offer.
just like I do and that shines through
We have three major entertainin their interactions with our visitors.
ment venues to accommodate events
There are nearly 5,000 people
of any sizes. Our historic Macon City
working in hospitality and tourism,
Auditorium saw the birth of Otis
and because of the number of people
Redding’s career and the start of
visiting here, that represents nearly
Southern Rock, and it can hold 2,500
$125 million in income for our famipeople. The Coliseum which hosts
lies. So, we know that hospitality and
concerts, high school sports, and our
tourism are a major support for our
Macon Mayhem hockey team holds
community, a major reason why we
6,500. This past year, Mayhem ticket
sales are up 20-25 percent over the
previous year.
And the one I’m particularly
proud of is our newest facility: the
12,000-person Atrium Health Amphitheater. The 22 shows and events
there welcomed more than 100,000
fans through its gates. As our general manager of the facilities, David
Aiello, says of the Amphitheater, “It
really puts us on the map.”
When we add in the
other two facilities, more than
250,000 people from around the
state, Southeast, and country
enjoyed more than 200 events,
from live music to sports to
trade shows, and more.
The brand-new Rhythm
& Rally is the world’s largest
indoor pickleball facility, and
since opening on January 1,
2024, more than 7,500 players
from 49 states and 4 countries
have played in 20 tournaments. That
level of interest in the fastest growing sport in the United States— plus
the facility we created and the amazing team that runs it— have brought
us an economic impact of $2 million
in just the first year!
Also putting us on the map is
what will soon be Georgia’s first National Park & Preserve: The Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park.
Legislation is working at the federal
M AY/J UNE 2025
29
