TRAVIS DUKE ASSEMBLY HALL NAMED IN HONOR
OF LONGTIME AUTHORITY MEMBER

The Center for Family Resources (CFR) recently unveiled The Travis Duke Assembly Hall in honor of longtime Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority member Travis Duke.

John A. Williams, past chairman of the Authority and vice chairman of the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Foundation, made a $450,000 gift to CFR in honor of Duke. This gift enabled CFR to claim a $1.5 million challenge fund as part of its $7.6 million capital campaign.

A ceremony was held on September 19 to celebrate the capital campaign and gifts from Williams and other donors. CFR’s 60,000-square foot building that has housed its programs and activities for the past year was re-named the Mansour Center. Located on Roswell Street, the Mansour Center is an expanded facility offering comprehensive, centralized services for families and individuals in crisis, as well as providing space for local partner agencies.

Duke is vice chairman of the Authority and has served on the Authority since 1991. He is the president of Benefits Design Group, Inc. Williams is president and CEO of Corporate Holdings, LLC.

The Cobb Galleria Centre was privileged to host President George Bush during his recent visit to Georgia. Bush spoke to about 600 members of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation (GPPF) at the Cobb Galleria Centre on September 7. This event was a tremendous success for both the GPPF and the Centre.

Bush’s speech at the Centre is the highlight of many recent high-profile visitors to the facility. Other star-level guests have included Vice President Dick Cheney, Governor Sonny Perdue, U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss, NBC News Anchor Tom Brokaw, Sportscaster Pat Summerall, talk show host John Edward, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and former First Lady Barbara Bush.

Cobb Galleria Centre and the American Craft Council announce the move of the Atlanta Fine Craft Show to Cobb Galleria Centre in 2007, continuing the growth of arts programming in Cobb County.

“The Atlanta Fine Craft Show is one of the premier public shows in the Atlanta area, and we are extremely pleased that they chose Cobb Galleria Centre to host their event,” said Michele Swann, General Manager and CEO of the Centre. “The Centre continues to attract a variety of quality shows and exhibits. When you look at the demographics of the surrounding communities, it is easy to see why our facility is a natural fit for this show.”

The largest juried craft show in the Southeast, the Atlanta Fine Craft Show draws more than 10,000 collectors and craft enthusiasts annually from Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina. For more information, visit www.craftcouncil.org.

Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre – the first major performing arts facility built in metro Atlanta in four decades – announces the celebration of its Grand Opening on Saturday, September 15, 2007.

The Grand Opening will feature a major headliner in concert, followed by a black-tie benefit gala to support the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Foundation, which funds the Centre’s endowment and educational initiative. A series of public activities is also planned around the Grand Opening date.

The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, a $145 million project, is located in northwest Atlanta, at 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway at Akers Mill Road, adjacent to I-75 inside I-285. Cobb Energy Centre will be a premier venue for opera, concerts, Broadway shows, ballet, educational shows, family shows, corporate meetings and events. The facility will include the 2,750-seat John A. Williams Theatre, 10,000-square-foot ballroom, 9,500-square-foot Courtyard, 3,100-square-foot Terrace, 1,000 parking spaces including a 700-space parking deck, and full-service food and beverage capabilities. Additional information about the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre is available at www.cobbenergycentre.com.

Cobb Galleria Centre’s culinary team took time out for charity recently by participating in a black-tie fundraiser for the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Executive Chef Thomas Burchell (center), Executive Sous Chef Greg Maddox (left) and Pastry Chef Michael Martins (right) were some of the 15 chefs from around Atlanta who volunteered their time to cook delicious dishes for attendees of the Can Can Ball. The event, which raised more than $120,000 for the Atlanta Community Food Bank, included dancing, a silent auction, live entertainment and food.

Grand opening is set for this November for the “new” Cumberland Mall, just in time for the holiday season.

With an additional 77,000 square feet of space, featuring a pedestrian-friendly streetscape and an open-air plaza, Cumberland Mall truly has undergone an extreme mall makeover.

Additions to Cumberland Mall’s offerings include Costco, Chico’s and Soma, as well as several restaurants familiar to metro Atlanta but certainly new to this area: Maggiano’s Little Italy, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, The Cheesecake Factory, Ted’s Montana Grill and Stoney River Legendary Steaks. Many stores are undergoing or have completed renovations and expansions including: Spa Sydell, New York & Co., Fan’s Wear, After Hours, and Wet Seal.

Another perk that will be included in the mall’s front streetscape is the addition of valet parking. The existing interior of the mall also has been completely renovated.

His upbeat attitude is almost contagious. Shipping and Receiving Supervisor and Public Safety Officer Tony Tanksley is one of those people who is truly happy to come to work every day.

“I really like being here and being around people,” Tanksley says.

Tanksley’s outlook on his job is steeped in his belief in service. “I came to the Cobb Galleria Centre five years ago from the Ritz Carlton hotel chain, and it really was an experience in learning about service,” he said. “It’s instilled in you.”

Starting out at the Centre as a public safety officer, Tanksley has assumed the additional responsibility of overseeing the shipping and receiving of not only packages for Centre staff, but freight and packages for many of the Centre’s clients. Tanksley remembers one show where he and his staff handled 10,500 lbs. of freight in one day.

Born with a rare blood disease that affects his vital organs, Tanksley was not even expected to live until age 2. And while he has periodic battles with his disease, Tanksley says going through those battles helps him appreciate his many blessings in life. “I continue to bounce back,” he said. “What keeps me going are my doctors and God, but most of all it’s being around people.”

In addition to his career at Cobb Galleria Centre, Tanksley also is a musician. He plays percussion, the bass guitar and sings, and he has worked in studio with famous artists including the Blind Boys of Alabama. Tanksley and his wife, Roycie, live in Midtown. They have one grown son and they are expecting their first grandchild early next year.

“I’ll be working at the Cobb Galleria Centre as long as God allows me to be here,” he said. “I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

The leading event in the decorated apparel and imprinted products industry returned to the Cobb Galleria Centre in September. More than 3,200 attendees and 190 exhibitors experienced the Imprinted Sportswear Show Atlanta from September 14-16.

The exposition floor showcases the newest products and equipment, while the conference program provides expert knowledge for industry professionals to turn investments into profits. The decorated apparel industry includes screen-printing, embroidery, promotional products, retail and marketing.

This is the third year that VNU Expositions has brought the show to the Cobb Galleria Centre. “We hold the show here because of its proximity to Atlanta,” said Brian Pagel, group show director for VNU. “Cobb Galleria Centre has all of the advantages of being downtown without the headaches of downtown. There are a lot of things to do right here.”

VNU Expositions oversees more than 50 business-to-business tradeshows and educational conferences in conjunction with VNU Business Media publications and key industry associations. Industry leaders and professionals from around the globe attend VNU Expositions’ events to find practical advice, innovative ideas and expert solutions.