COBB GALLERIA CENTRE ACHIEVES RECORD-BREAKING YEAR IN 2007

For the 13th consecutive year, the Cobb Galleria Centre has generated an operating profit, recording its most profitable year ever.

For the fiscal year that ended September 30, 2007, operating revenues were 12% ahead of budget, and it marked the Centre’s most favorable year ever for its self-operated food and beverage outlets. Intergovernmental Revenues, which includes Hotel/Motel Tax collections, were also 5% ahead of budget. The Centre produced a total of 1,073 events with attendance of 484,000.

The impact of Cobb Galleria Centre’s financial success is far reaching. Based on an economic impact study performed by an independent consulting firm, Cobb Galleria Centre created 1,630 jobs in 2007 and generated almost $140 million in overall economic impact for Cobb County and the State of Georgia.

Cobb Galleria Centre has won first place and honorable mention awards from the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) in the annual Art of the Show contest.

"We’re honored to be chosen for both of the awards given in our category, as the convention center category includes some of the most esteemed facilities in the country,” said Michele Swann, General Manager and CEO of Cobb Galleria Centre.

Cobb Galleria Centre’s 2006 Annual Report won first place in the Convention Center Promotion category, while the Centre’s Sales Brochure won honorable mention in the same category. Only 33 entries from across the country were selected as first-place winners, and 26 were awarded honorable mention. The Art of the Show contest recognizes excellence in promotional materials for the exhibition industry.

The Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA).

The Authority, which governs Cobb Galleria Centre, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre and Galleria Specialty Mall, won the award for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). According to GFOA, the Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

"This achievement honors the comprehensive, and precise nature of our entire accounting department," said Michele Swann, General Manager and CEO of the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority. "The award reflects the sound fiscal management of the Authority."

Present and former leaders of the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority recently have been honored with several prestigious awards and distinctions.

The Strand Theatre, currently under restoration on the Marietta Square, recently was named in honor of Earl Smith, Chairman of the Authority. Smith has been instrumental in leading the fundraising campaign to restore the historic theater. Smith also recently was bestowed with the Visionary Philanthropist Award from the Cobb Community Foundation.

John Williams, Vice Chairman of the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Foundation and founding member of the Authority, has been honored with the prestigious Four Pillar Award from the Council for Quality Growth. More than 1,200 business and community leaders gathered at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre to hear Williams’ colleagues and friends pay tribute to his achievements.

Cobb County Commission Chairman and Authority member Sam Olens has been named a Lexus Leader of the Arts. The award was established in 1999 by Public Broadcasting Atlanta, in association with Atlanta area Lexus dealers, to recognize figures in the community whose exemplary dedication to the arts have enriched the cultural life of metro Atlanta. Olens also has been named to Georgia Trend Magazine’s list of Georgia’s Top Public Servants. The award, co-presented by the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, honors the dedication and professionalism of the often-unheralded men and women who toil in the vineyards of government.

Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, the first major performing arts facility built in metro Atlanta in four decades, celebrated its grand opening with a series of festive events the weekend of September 15.

The Grand Opening featured Michael Feinstein and Linda Eder performing their “Two for the Road” concert, preceded by a black-tie benefit gala to support the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Foundation, which funds the Centre’s endowment and educational initiative.

The gala was 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. Joining them were 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 were John Williams and his wife Nancy. Dr. William Kenny and Ms. Lynda Courts served as Co-Chairs of the Host Committee. Thank you to the many donors and sponsors who helped make the gala the perfect start to the Atlanta social season.

In addition to the Grand Opening gala and performance, the Centre hosted a public open house on September 16 that drew 10,000 visitors and the Jubilee Celebration on September 17, a sold-out evening of music and dance featuring six of metro Atlanta’s acclaimed arts organizations.

The Centre already has hosted many stars and acclaimed entertainers since its opening. To see a calendar of upcoming shows or for more information, visit www.cobbenergycentre.com.

STAFF MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: GABRIEL MANDEFRO

With the new Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre highlighting the landscape, there’s literally some new landscaping that is also decorating the neighborhood. New sidewalks and landscaping have been installed near the venue at Cobb Galleria Parkway and Akers Mill Road. Plans are still in the works to improve the streetscapes on Cumberland Boulevard, Akers Mill Road and Cobb Parkway.

In addition, the Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID) is considering the addition of way-finding signs for the area. The signs would direct people toward the Cumberland CID’s top attractions.

The Cobb Galleria Centre is the proud supporter of two local charity events held at the venue each year in late summer.

The Galleria Specialty Mall, located in the center court of Cobb Galleria Centre, found the perfect illustrations to deck the walls during the fifth annual Spirit of the Season Art Contest. Cobb County students of all ages created their own masterpieces depicting the meaning of the holiday season. The artwork was on display in the mall December 12 - January 2. Pictured are some of the award winners during a reception for all students and their families on December 12.

for collectors and investors to buy, sell, and trade coins and currency with established industry leaders.

It offers educational seminars by numismatic experts, and it hosts exhibits, where the most popular coins and currency in the hobby are on display. Prominent coin grading services, numismatic press core, clubs, and collectibles industry representatives are on hand at each show. The shows also host multi-million dollar auctions by the country’s most distinguished auction firms.

David Crenshaw, general manager for the event, said that Cobb Galleria Centre is the perfect location for his national coin show. “It’s a clean, modern, state-of-the-art convention center. In addition, dealers enjoy the top-quality hotels and restaurants nearby, and the public appreciates its free parking and convenient location,” he said. “Also, Atlanta is a major airline hub and has wide drive-in-for-the-day appeal for collectors along the east coast and southern states. And, don’t forget the great staff, especially our account representative, Haley Deming, and sales representative, Scott Porter.”