A NEW ERA

With a new array of dining options directly accessible from Cobb Galleria Centre via pedestrian bridge, there’s no better time to plan a meeting, convention or tradeshow. Entertain exhibitors and attendees alike at one of Cumberland Mall’s new offerings, which include Maggiano’s Little Italy, PF Chang’s, Stoney River, Ted’s Montana Grill and Cheesecake Factory.

Cumberland Community Improvement District (CCID) continues to take on projects that will transform Cumberland Galleria into a live-work-play community. Over the next 12 months our CCID will complete four streetscape projects surrounding the Cobb Energy Centre, including underground utility lines, a sidewalk/bike path, upgraded lighting, expanded crosswalks and the addition of trees and other greenery.

And we welcome our newest tenant, Art Modern Creative, as plans continue to evolve for the redevelopment of Galleria Specialty Mall.

It has been and continues to be an exciting time as we prepare for the opening of the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. It’s somewhat reminiscent of the days leading up to the opening of the Cobb Galleria Centre. While new ventures of this type bring with them their own set of challenges, they also generate new opportunities and synergies that further enhance the viability of Cumberland Galleria as a destination.

Valery Voyles, Ruth Dobbs McDonald, Ruth Dobbs Anthony, Jenny Pruitt and Michele Swann.

The September 15th Grand Opening Gala for the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre will be orchestrated by a stellar roster of Atlanta luminaries and co-chaired by prominent volunteer leaders and fundraisers Ruth Dobbs Anthony, Jenny Pruitt and Valery Voyles. The Gala will set the tone for the inaugural evening of celebration and benefit the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Foundation.

Joining Anthony, Pruitt and Voyles will be two distinguished Atlanta contributors to the arts serving as Honorary Chairs: philanthropist Ruth Dobbs McDonald and former Atlanta Opera Director Alfred Kennedy. The evening’s Honorary Hosts’ Co-Chairs will be John Williams and his wife Nancy. Dr. William Kenny and Ms. Lynda Courts will serve as Co-Chairs of the Host Committee.

The Gala evening will begin with a cocktail reception followed by an elaborate dinner, the Grand Opening performance and a champagne and dessert reception. The performance will be presented by two renowned vocalists and interpreters of American popular song, Grammy-nominated Michael Feinstein of New York’s critically acclaimed Feinstein’s at The Regency, and Linda Eder, who starred in the hit Broadway musical Jekyll & Hyde.

For information about reservations to the gala opening evening, please call 770-989-5035 or visit www.cobbenergycentre.com.

The Cobb Galleria Centre’s Exhibit Hall was ready for 3,000 guests at the Night of Knights Dinner of the Georgia Poultry Federation on May 19.

The annual event has been held at the Centre every year since the facility opened in 1994. The event involves almost every person on staff at the Centre, including banquets, housekeeping, stewarding, engineering, set-up, catering, event services, engineering, accounting and sales and marketing. The catering team served 1,200 pounds of chicken, 600 pounds of fresh vegetables, 800 pounds of garlic whipped potatoes, 3,000 slices of strawberry swirl cheesecake and 250 pounds of fresh baby spinach salad.

From intimate, VIP events for 10 to our largest dinner of the year in the Night of Knights gala, the Cobb Galleria Centre can do it all!

After 13 years working in sales at the Cobb Galleria Centre, Eleanor Davis certainly has developed some institutional knowledge and industry expertise.

Davis has one of the longest tenures here at Cobb Galleria Centre, joining the facility two months after it opened in 1994. In her 13 years she has always worked in the sales department, spending most of that time as a corporate sales manager handling accounts in the northeast, west coast and key accounts in Georgia and Florida.

“I like the clients that I work with, and some friendships have developed as a result,” she said. “I choose to stay here because I really love this beautiful facility.”

Born in Antigua, West Indies, Davis moved to New York City when she was 8 years old. A graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, Davis got her start in the hospitality industry at the Stouffer Westchester (N.Y.) Hotel. Starting part-time at the front desk, Davis fell in love with the job’s daily interaction with customers, and she has stayed in the hospitality field ever since. She describes her sales style as “just the facts” with a little bit of personality thrown in.

Davis is a member of Meeting Planners International and is a two-time recipient of the Georgia Chapter’s Shining Star award. She lives in Lilburn with her dog, Checkers. When she is not at Cobb Galleria Centre she enjoys gardening, interior decorating, traveling, cooking, do-it-yourself projects and classic movies.

Another mixed-use development is on the horizon near the Cobb Galleria Centre. The $300 million project at Riverwood will include 530,000 square feet of class A office space, 90,000 square feet or retail, 360 condos, 40 lofts and a 200-room, three-star business-class hotel. Seven Oaks Company and GE Asset Management are developing the project. Bob Voyles, a member of the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority, is president of Seven Oaks.

SAM OLENS RECEIVES SERVANT LEADER AWARD FROM MUST MINISTRIES

Cobb County Commission Chairman and Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority member Sam Olens has received the first ever Ginger Kaney Servant Leader Award from MUST Ministries. Olens received the award at MUST’s “Celebrating Stardom” gala dinner, which showcased leaders in media, entertainment, sports, business and politics on May 4 at the Cobb Galleria Centre. Olens was chosen as the first recipient of this honor because of his extraordinary community leadership and for his efforts to bring positive change to the community by demonstrating servant leadership.

You won’t want to miss the 24th Annual Fall Atlanta Home Show presented by The Home Depot Home Services Sept. 27-30 at Cobb Galleria Centre. At the show you will be able to see, touch and feel the latest in all things home related from more than 300 exhibiting companies represented at the show.

As the largest and longest-running consumer home show at the Cobb Galleria Centre, the Atlanta Home Show provides the largest selection all under one roof. Exciting features such as the Electrolux ICON Cooking Corner, the Home Show Stage and the Fire Safety Pavilion all add value to the overall show experience for the entire family.

“SEMCO Productions, owners and producers of the Atlanta Home Shows, chose the Cobb Galleria Centre as the location for the Fall Atlanta Home Show over 10 years ago recognizing that its convenient location and perks such as free parking made it the natural choice for the show,” says Show Director Michael Schoppenhorst. “We’ve seen a tremendous amount of growth in the show since coming to the Cobb Galleria Centre as is evidenced by its sold-out status in 2006, and we are expecting another stellar show this September.”

The 2007 Fall Atlanta Home Show is open to the public Thursday Noon to 6 p.m., Friday Noon to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday Noon to 6 p.m. Tickets prices are $10 for adults, children 6-12 are $3, and children 5 and under are free. Real Estate agents receive complimentary admission both Thursday and Friday.

For more information including sponsorship opportunities, guest speakers, stage schedules and a complete list of exhibiting companies, please visit www.atlantahomeshow.com.