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Boosting North Fulton Tourism: An Inside Look at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, with Trevor Ralph, Live Nation Entertainment

August 1, 2024 by John Ray

Boosting North Fulton Tourism: An Inside Look at Ameris Bank Amphitheater, with Trevor Ralph, on the GNFCC 400 Insider Podcast

North Fulton Studio

Boosting North Fulton Tourism: An Inside Look at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, with Trevor Ralph, Live Nation Entertainment

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Boosting North Fulton Tourism: An Inside Look at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, with Trevor Ralph, Live Nation Entertainment (GNFCC 400 Insider, Episode 97)

In this episode of the GNFCC 400 Insider, Kali Boatright, President and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, talks with Trevor Ralph, Vice President of Operations at Live Nation Entertainment. They discuss the significant impact of the concert entertainment industry on North Fulton’s tourism, specifically focusing on the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre. Trevor shares his career journey, the amphitheatre’s growth and success, and its role as a community hub. He also discusses the economic impact, marketing strategies, and upcoming shows. Additionally, they touch on the venue’s community contributions, including hosting high school graduations and supporting local booster groups.

The GNFCC 400 Insider is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and produced by John Ray and the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®.

Trevor Ralph, Live Nation Entertainment

Trevor Ralph has been active in the concert business since 1998.

He started his live event career with regional Ohio promoter Belkin Productions as Senior Director of Marketing and Operations, where he opened the Tower City Amphitheatre and ran several large festivals. He spent time in Northern California with Bill Graham Presents, managing the amphitheaters in Sacramento (Wheatland) and Concord, as well as promoting shows throughout the west.

In 2008, Trevor moved to Atlanta to open Ameris Bank Amphitheatre (formerly Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park) as Chief Operating Officer of ASO Presents, a division of the Woodruff Arts Center.

In 2016, Live Nation entered a long-term lease to operate Ameris Bank Amphitheatre and Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park, and Trevor rejoined the Live Nation team as Vice President of Operations for Live Nation Atlanta.

Trevor has two children, Sophie, 22, and Colin, 20.

Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, located in Alpharetta, Georgia, is a premier outdoor concert venue that boasts a capacity of up to 12,500 guests. Opened in 2008, it was originally known as the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre before being renamed in 2019. The amphitheatre is nestled within a picturesque 45-acre woodland setting, providing a unique blend of natural beauty and state-of-the-art technology.

The amphitheatre features a distinctive fan-shaped roof made from a translucent material, allowing for an immersive experience while protecting attendees from the elements. The venue’s design integrates the surrounding greenery, enhancing the acoustic experience and creating a serene atmosphere for live performances.

Ameris Bank Amphitheatre is renowned for its exceptional sound quality, supported by a sophisticated audio system that includes over 100 finely tuned speakers. This ensures that every performance resonates clearly, regardless of where attendees are seated.

The venue offers a diverse range of food and beverage options, from local favorites to gourmet selections, enhancing the overall concert experience. Food trucks and a full-service restaurant cater to various tastes, making each event a culinary adventure.

Ameris Bank Amphitheatre has become a cornerstone of the North Fulton cultural scene, hosting a wide array of performances from top-tier artists across genres, including rock, country, and pop.

The amphitheatre is strategically located within the Atlanta metropolitan area, making it easily accessible for both locals and visitors. It plays a vital role in nurturing local talent and supporting the arts, contributing to the vibrancy of the community.

Website | Upcoming Events

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Introduction to GNFCC 400 Insider
00:57 Meet Trevor Ralph: From Record Store to Live Nation
01:47 The Birth and Growth of Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
03:46 Impact of Ameris Bank Amphitheatre on Local Tourism
06:06 The Post-COVID Concert Landscape
13:01 Marketing Strategies and Audience Engagement
16:02 Community Engagement and Support
18:56 Live Nation’s Regional and National Presence
22:27 Upcoming Events and Future Plans
24:31 Conclusion and Contact Information

About GNFCC and The GNFCC 400 Insider

**Kali Boatright, President and CEO of GNFCC**

The GNFCC 400 Insider is sponsored by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC), and the host of the show is Kali Boatright, President and CEO of GNFCC.

The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit, member-driven organization comprised of over 1,400 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions, and individuals. Their service area includes Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell, and Sandy Springs. GNFCC is the leading voice on economic development, business growth, and quality of life issues in North Fulton County.

As a five-star accredited chamber, GNFCC’s vision is to be the premier organization driving member and community success across the region, and they are dedicated to pursuing this vision based on the guiding principles of advocacy, inclusivity, and operational excellence.

GNFCC promotes the interests of their members by assuming a leadership role in making North Fulton an excellent place to work, live, play, and stay. They provide one voice for all local businesses to influence decision-makers, recommend legislation, and protect the valuable resources that make North Fulton a popular place to live.

For more information on GNFCC and its North Fulton County service area, follow this link or call (770) 993-8806. For more information on other GNFCC events, follow this link.

7 Generation Philosophy of Development – Maleena Deer and Aaron Studebaker with SRPMIC E17

September 13, 2022 by Karen

7-Generation-Philosophy-of-Development-Maleena-Deer-and-Aaron-Studebaker-with-SRPMIC-feature

Phoenix Business Radio

7 Generation Philosophy of Development - Maleena Deer and Aaron Studebaker with SRPMIC E17

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7 Generation Philosophy of Development – Maleena Deer and Aaron Studebaker with SRPMIC E17

Discover the 7 Generation Philosophy towards development with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Maleena Deer and Aaron Studebaker shared an insightful look into the development model and partnerships on their tribal lands along the 101 corridor.

The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community is home to two distinct tribes, the Akimel O’odham and the Xalychidom Piipaash, more commonly known as Pima and Maricopa. The Community encompasses over 52,600 acres, shares a Scottsdale address and is bordered by the cities of Mesa, Tempe and Fountain Hills.

Discover Salt River is the tourism division for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Tourism helps to promote the Talking Stick Entertainment District, home to Salt River Fields, Talking Stick Resort, Medieval Times, and more.

Maleena Deer is the Tourism Manager for Discover Salt River. With a strong background in sales and communication, Maleena came to the government sector of SRP-MIC from Talking Stick Resort.

She now leads the efforts in chamber of commerce growth and development for both the Discover Salt River and Talking Stick Entertainment District brands.

As a member of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, she has a passion for carrying on the tradition of hospitality through tourism.

Aaron Studebaker has had the great privilege of working for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community for over 11 years.

As a Project Manager within the Community Development Department, Aaron supports endeavors such as business development, business operations and special projects. He also provides support in tourism marketing for the Talking Stick Entertainment District and Discover Salt River Tourism Office.

Prior to his current role, Aaron held the position as Director of Sales & Marketing at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, an Enterprise of the Community.

Follow Discover Salt River on Facebook and Instagram.

About Your Hosts

Meet JJ Levenske

JJ Levenske is a seasoned construction executive with over 30 years of experience in the commercial and industrial sectors. From pre-construction services to complex quality controls and close-outs, he brings a commitment to delivering the highest levels of professionalism and customer service.

JJ’s dedication to construction has allowed him to become an industry expert which he aims to share with customers and investors alike. JJ does not believe in mediocrity and strives to see the “end at the beginning” for each project, effectuating a higher return on investment for the entire team.

Early on in his career, JJ worked as a cost engineer conducting feasibility estimates, strategic capital estimates, cost planning, and analysis of value engineering for the technology, petrochemical, and food industries. He went on to develop and implement a variety of systems for estimating, scheduling, resource management, and cost tracking while holding Project Manager and Senior Management Positions.

During his tenure, JJ has been involved in $1 billion worth of construction services. A strong entrepreneurial acumen allows him to be the perfect advocate for your facility based business solutions.

Meet Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson is a knowledgeable construction professional with over 40 years of experience. His experience ranges from residential to the commercial and industrial sectors.

Robert began working in the trades immediately out of high school and quickly advanced to Journeyman status. Robert went on to estimating, operations, senior level management and then business development.

Robert is consistently building relationships and networking with those associated with all aspects of development and construction. Robert has become a respected source for prefabricated construction solutions.

Robert enjoys spending time with Pam, his wife of 42 years, their 3 children, and 10 grandchildren.

About Our Sponsors

Bleuwave is a Phoenix-based general contractor with a specialty in land development & site improvement, pre-construction, design build, remodel and renovations, construction management, and post construction.

Bleuwave is passionate about what they do and takes pride in their partner’s success.

When you need it done right the first time, call Bleuwave.

Follow Bleuwave on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Tori Contracting’s smaller, cohesive structure results in superior workmanship and economical solutions.

The Tori Contracting team has construction experience acquired by performing highly successful work for hotels and casinos, restaurants, retail stores, healthcare facilities and a wide range of commercial and themed projects.

We provide design assist capabilities from start to finish…from schematic design and development through construction documents with the aid of our full-time AUTOCAD staff.

Andy Williams, Visit Roswell

March 15, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Andy Williams, Visit Roswell

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Andy Williams, Visit Roswell (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 441)

Andy Williams, Executive Director of Visit Roswell, joined host John Ray to share the exciting news of a brand-new Mobile Visitors Center. This customized Freightliner Sprinter 3500 is equipped to deliver information about Roswell and its various tourism and hospitality options directly to people visiting the city at events and locations all around the city. Andy discussed how this idea came about, the underwriters who made it possible, its potential impact, early findings, and much more. North Fulton Business Radio is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Visit Roswell

Visit Roswell is the convention and visitors bureau for the City of Roswell, Georgia.

Often referred to as a destination marketing organization (DMO), their organization incorporates targeted advertising and marketing programs with sales and public relations efforts to build the image of Roswell as a travel destination and increase visitation to the city.

Company website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Andy Williams, Executive Director, Visit Roswell

Andy Williams serves as Executive Director of Visit Roswell, the Convention & Visitors Bureau of Roswell, Georgia. At the CVB, he and his team are charged with leading the efforts of tourism promotion through marketing, sales, film activities and visitor services relevant to the destination’s hotels, restaurants, venues, special events and attractions.

Andy’s entire career has been in the travel industry. He previously held positions at the Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau, Dunwoody Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Atlanta-based destination management company Destination South Meetings & Events. His responsibilities spanned marketing, sales, and event production.

Andy is a past president of the Georgia Chapter of Meeting Professionals International, and he currently serves as Vice President of the Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus and is a board member of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. He is a Certified Meeting Professional through the Events Industry Council and a Travel Marketing Professional through the Southeast Tourism Society.

Andy is a graduate of Young Harris College and Georgia Southern University. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in tourism & commercial recreation.

Andy and his wife Ryan have lived in Roswell since June 2019 and have a three-year-old daughter, Addie, and five-year-old son, Morgan.

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

Explain the idea of a mobile visitor center
What was the reason for this shift?
Tell us about the process from start to finish
Why is this a good thing for the Roswell community and its visitors?
How do you track metrics and what kind of results do you expect?

North Fulton Business Radio is hosted by John Ray and broadcast and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, TuneIn, and others.

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown to become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Special thanks to A&S Culinary Concepts for their support of this edition of North Fulton Business Radio. A&S Culinary Concepts, based in Johns Creek, is an award-winning culinary studio, celebrated for corporate catering, corporate team building, Big Green Egg Boot Camps, and private group events. They also provide oven-ready, cooked from scratch meals to go they call “Let Us Cook for You.” To see their menus and events, go to their website or call 678-336-9196.

The GNFCC 400 Insider: All Things Alpharetta, An Interview with Janet Rodgers, Awesome Alpharetta (Alpharetta CVB) and Matt Thomas, City of Alpharetta Economic Development

August 23, 2019 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

The GNFCC 400 Insider: All Things Alpharetta, An Interview with Janet Rodgers, Awesome Alpharetta (Alpharetta CVB) and Matt Thomas, City of Alpharetta Economic Development

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**Kali Boatright, Matthew Thomas, and Janet Rodgers**

Episode 27, All Things Alpharetta

Why does Alpharetta keep achieving such high rankings for quality of life? What makes Alpharetta such an attractive place to do business, particularly for technology companies? What are some of the signature events which draw visitors to Alpharetta? Join Host Kali Boatright as she poses these questions and more to Janet Rodgers, Awesome Alpharetta, and Matthew Thomas, Economic Development Manager of the City of Alpharetta. The “GNFCC 400 Insider” is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

Janet Rodgers, Awesome Alpharetta, the Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau

**Janet Rodgers, Awesome Alpharetta, the Alpharetta CVB**

Janet Rodgers is President and CEO of Awesome Alpharetta, the Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau. The mission statement of the Alpharetta CVB is “to position the city of Alpharetta as a regionally, nationally and globally recognized premier tourism destination by developing quality programs and facilities to attract overnight visitors.”

The Alpharetta CVB uses innovative and targeted marketing strategies, along with aggressive sales efforts, to attract overnight visitors to the city. They do this in three key areas:

1. Increasing the awareness and identity of Alpharetta as a destination for the leisure and individual traveler and raising awareness of the economic importance of the visitor industry to Alpharetta by placing advertisements, writing press releases, utilizing social media and maintaining a technologically advanced website

2. Employing a variety of sales strategies to increase the number of group room nights booked in Alpharetta’s 26 hotels through attendance at tradeshows, association meetings and conferences as well as sales calls and site visits with event organizers

3. Providing leadership for the visitor industry, coordinating activities, encouraging marketing activities and partnerships, and projecting an appealing image on behalf of the city of Alpharetta

For more information on the Alpharetta CVB and their services, call 678-297-2811 and request their brochure, “A Look at the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau.” You can also visit the Awesome Alpharetta website.

Matthew Thomas, City of Alpharetta Economic Development

Matthew Thomas is the Economic Development Manager for the City of Alpharetta.

There’s a reason why more than 640 technology-based businesses have made their home in Alpharetta, and it’s not just the nice houses and great weather. The city’s fiber-optic network is the most extensive and redundant in the Southeast, and they work closely with state and local economic development agencies to provide tax credits and incentives to complement any brand of business. Some of the biggest and most recognized names in the tech industry are thriving in Alpharetta. With more than 20 million square feet of office space, there’s plenty of room in the neighborhood for you next expansion.

The City of Alpharetta has been recognized nationally in a variety of awards and rankings, including Best Small City to Start Business (Entrepreneur.com), Best Atlanta Suburb (Movoto), Top 25 Best Places to Move (Forbes), 7th Friendliest City (Forbes), and 6th Fastest Growing City (U.S. Census, 2012).

For more information, go to GrowAlpharetta.com, or call 678-297-6024.

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

**Kali Boatright, President and CEO of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce**

“The GNFCC 400 Insider” (formerly “North Atlanta’s Bizlink”) is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC) and is hosted by Kali Boatright, President and CEO of GNFCC. The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit, member-driven organization comprised of over 1400 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions and individuals. Their service area includes Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell and Sandy Springs. GNFCC is the leading voice on economic development, business growth and quality of life issues in North Fulton County.

The GNFCC promotes the interests of our members by assuming a leadership role in making North Fulton an excellent place to work, live, play and stay. They provide one voice for all local businesses to influence decision makers, recommend legislation, and protect the valuable resources that make North Fulton a popular place to live.

For more information on GNFCC and its North Fulton County service area, follow this link or call (770) 993-8806.

The GNFCC 400 Insider: All Things Roswell, An Interview with Andy Williams, Visit Roswell, the Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Steve Stroud, Roswell Inc.

July 19, 2019 by John Ray

North Fulton Studio

The GNFCC 400 Insider: All Things Roswell, An Interview with Andy Williams, Visit Roswell, the Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Steve Stroud, Roswell Inc.

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**Steve Stroud, Kali Boatright, and Andy Williams**

Episode 26, All Things Roswell

What makes the City of Roswell so attractive to millennials, families, and empty-nesters? Why is Roswell such an attractive location for business? What are some of the signature events which draw visitors to Roswell? Join Host Kali Boatright as she poses these questions and more to Andy Williams, Visit Roswell, and Steve Stroud, Roswell Inc. The “GNFCC 400 Insider” is presented by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

Andy Williams, Visit Roswell, the Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau

**Andy Williams, Visit Roswell, the Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureau**

Andy Williams is the Executive Director of Visit Roswell, the Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau. Visit Roswell and the Roswell Visitors Center is the place for “All Things Roswell.” It is a convenient place to start your excursion whether you are looking for historic attractions, trails to hike, nature, entertainment, breweries, or Roswell’s extensive culinary scene.

Knowledgeable staff can assist with arrangements for a fun filled day, overnight stay, or a several day trip. The Roswell Visitors Center is located at the intersection of Hwy. 9 and Sloan Street in Roswell’s Historic District (just across the street from the Historic Town Square.) at 617 Atlanta Street; Roswell, GA 30075.

You can email info@visitroswellga.com, or call 770-640-3253 or 800-776-7935. The Visit Roswell website can be found at http://www.visitroswellga.com/.

Steve Stroud, Roswell Inc.

Steve Stroud is the Executive Director for Economic Development with Roswell Inc.

As the economic development and business advocacy organization for the City of Roswell, Roswell Inc. serves as a catalyst for a sustainable, innovative and vibrant business community in the city.

Their vision is for Roswell to be the best place in the region for innovative, community-minded businesses and entrepreneurs, and they accomplish this through four main areas of work—business attraction and recruitment, business retention and expansion, industry support programs, and business development.

As a 501(c)6 nonprofit, Roswell Inc. has worked with the City of Roswell through a public-private partnership since 2012 by serving as an advocate for business and economic growth.

For more information, go to https://roswellinc.org/ or call 678-823-4004.

About GNFCC and “The GNFCC 400 Insider”

For more information on GNFCC and its North Fulton County service area, follow this link or call (770) 993-8806.

Paula Hastings with Accent Creative Group

August 8, 2018 by Mike

Case In Point

Paula Hastings with Accent Creative Group

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Paula Hastings/Accent Creative Group

Accent Creative Group is a full service boutique marketing firm located in Historic Downtown Lawrenceville. They specialize in branding, custom publications, marketing, tourism, events, promotional items, and more. “We Create” is their tagline as they create experiences and success for their clients in many different ways.