atl-properties.comDeep Insights into Traveler Intent
Deep Insights into Your Targeted Travelers It’s all about the customer, and how you can convert more visitors to real long-term customers. They don’t buy what they don’t want or don’t dream of buying. And that’s where travel market research comes in. When we say traveler intent, we’re talking about emotional drivers and goals that…
After more than two years of construction, Winding Waters, the much-anticipated luxury RV resort in Emerson, GA, has officially opened. The state-of-the-art resort, which boasts 252 full-service RV sites and a variety of luxury amenities, is the largest of its kind in the greater metro Atlanta area.
Nestled along the Etowah River and conveniently located off I-75, the resort offers easy access to popular North Georgia destinations, including Lake Allatoona, Lakepoint Sports Complex, and downtown Cartersville. The site was chosen for its proximity to these attractions, making it an ideal destination for travelers and families. “This resort has far surpassed our initial vision,” said Reece Stead, Partner at Forrest Street Partners, the real estate investment firm for this project. “We’ve created a destination that not only caters to RV enthusiasts but also offers an escape for those looking to stay in our cabins. The amenities, including a lazy river, zero-entry pool, pickleball courts, and more, provide the ultimate experience for our guests. We believe this resort will be a tremendous asset to the Emerson community and beyond.”
As with any large complex site work package, the project faced its share of challenges during the construction process, but the dedicated project teams remained focused on the end goal. The result – a resort that far exceeds expectations.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on Thursday, September 5th, was attended by key stakeholders, including city officials, chamber of commerce representatives, community members, and local business owners. The event marked not only the completion of the resort itself; but also, the beginning of what promises to be a significant contribution to local tourism and the economy. ”We are incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved here,” added Doug Davidson, CEO of New South Construction and a key partner in the project. “The finished product is a testament to our commitment to quality and our belief in the potential of this location. We look forward to welcoming guests from near and far to experience all this resort offers.”
Winding Waters is now accepting nightly and monthly reservations. For more information or to make a reservation, visitwww.windingwatersrv.com.
For metro Atlanta adults with intellectual disabilities who have aged out of K-12 schooling, there have been next to little options for building a community of friends — until today. Launched as a ministry of Peachtree Church in Buckhead, Wonderfully Made is a new nonprofit aimed at cultivating community among adults with intellectual disabilities by creating an authentic environment to interact, gather and connect over baking and other enriching activities
The nonprofit is helmed by Kitty Correll, co-founder and director of Wonderfully Made, co-founder Kelly Kannwischer who also serves as a Managing Director at Carter, a nonprofit consultancy firm, and Betsy Brown who owns a baking business and is a former elementary education and special education teacher. The organization aims to reflect the Bible verse Psalms 139:14, which states that all people are “fearfully and wonderfully made” by God, and adults who participate in the program are called “Wonder Makers”.
The format of the day program begins with fellowship time, then transitions into physical and creative activities. Wonderfully Made can accommodate 12 Wonder Makers each day, with a maximum capacity of 24 participants in the program at any given time. The day program will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Wonder Makers will be accompanied by assistants trained in caring for adults with intellectual disabilities, as well as volunteers. There is a sliding scale tuition for enrollment beginning at $400 per month.
“Our church community was founded over 100 years ago to support children and families, so we are proud to be building upon this foundational mission to extend our support to families caring for vulnerable adults with intellectual disabilities,” said Kannwischer. “We have received an outpouring of love from the Peachtree Church family since announcing Wonderfully Made, with church members signing up to volunteer and backing our vision by providing the space for our program. As we officially launch the program, we welcome volunteers and supporters from our metro Atlanta community. With their help, Wonderfully Made will be able bolster our work to help adults with intellectual disabilities feel seen, valued and known.”
Wonderfully Made is also gearing up to launch a bakery, in which Wonder Makers will help bake delicious treats — namely cookies — for members of Peachtree Church and local businesses in the community who purchase batches from the organization to sell in their stores. Set to launch in January 2025, the bakery will be housed in a donated space in The Lodge building at Peachtree Church and is seeking funding to assist with the build-out of the bakery. The nonprofit is also actively seeking retail partners to sell Wonderfully Made cookies in store starting next year.
“I spent 10 years teaching children with intellectual disabilities in an inclusion program, so I know firsthand just how important an organization like Wonderfully Made is for them as they become adults,” said Betsy Brown, Director of Community Engagement and Program Lead at Wonderfully Made. “This is an environment where they can make new friends while participating in activities that give them purpose and bring them joy, including helping me test recipes for our forthcoming bakery. I’m excited to welcome our Wonder Makers to a space tailored just for them.”
For more information about Wonderfully Made, please visit wonderfullymadecommunity.org.
Inspired to form Wonderfully Made after recognizing a critical need for an engaging gathering place for adults with intellectual disabilities, Correll, Kannwischer and Brown are on a mission to alleviate the loneliness epidemic impacting Wonder Makers and their families.“When my nephew with Down syndrome graduated high school, the place he once had to hang out with friends and participate in fun activities was no longer there. The feelings of loneliness many of us have experienced at some point are substantially stronger among those with intellectual disabilities because the opportunities for community are few and far between,” said Correll. “Wonderfully Made was founded because we recognized that adults with intellectual disabilities deserve a place where they can meet with others, be a part of a group, feel a sense of belonging, and know that like anyone else, they are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’.” With the day program, which is located on the Peachtree Church campus, Wonderfully Made offers a space for adults with intellectual disabilities to nurture organic relationships through social activities, including baking, arts and crafts, sports, music, and service. The organization welcomes adults from the metro Atlanta area of all religious backgrounds and Wonder Makers are not required to be a member of Peachtree Church to participate.
For more information visit gmsdc.org/
The Atlanta United Community Fund (AUCF) on Tuesday hosted the grand opening for a pair of soccer fields granted to Augusta-based nonprofit soccer club Augusta Arsenal through its GA 100 program. The two full-size soccer fields mark the 10th and 11th pitches of the GA 100 campaign officially opened and will benefit community soccer programs in Augusta.
Atlanta United players Pedro Amador, Noah Cobb and Jamal Thiare traveled to Augusta to celebrate the milestone grand opening and host a round robin tournament with local youth players.
“We are thrilled to join Augusta Arsenal in helping provide a safe place where soccer can thrive and bring people together,” said Skate Noftsinger, Atlanta United’s Chief Business Officer. “Reaching the 10-pitch milestone in Augusta perfectly embodies GA 100’s mission to grow soccer and increase accessibility across the state. We are not just building pitches, we’re creating opportunities for young players to pursue their passion, stay active and learn valuable life skills.”
Augusta Arsenal Soccer Club has deep ties in the Augusta community as it was established in 1982 to promote youth soccer in the Central Savannah River Area. The club has more than 30 teams from the U-9 to the U-19 level and carries strong partnerships with several organizations in Augusta to help facilitate programming and provide field access for Richmond County Recreation and many Richmond County middle and high schools.
“Atlanta United’s generous grant for the development of our two new fields allows us to continue investing in the growth of the sport in our region and creates more opportunities for young players to develop their skills,” said Nick Edmond, Augusta Arsenal’s Executive Director. “We believe these additional fields will not only benefit our players but will serve as a valuable resource for the entire Augusta community, promoting the positive value of sports and a love for the beautiful game.”
AUCF’s GA 100 campaign is a pitch-build program, in partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), with a goal of constructing up to 100 mini-pitches in underserved communities across Georgia. Select organizations that demonstrate their ability to raise cash funds or in-kind support are awarded a matching grant of up to $100,000 for the development of a new mini-pitch or full-size soccer field, or to repurpose or improve the quality of an existing field. As of the most recent round of grants announced in May, 30 pitches are either completed or in-development spanning 22 different non-profit organizations. AUCF is set to announce the next round of grant winners this fall.
GA 100 launched in 2020 when AUCF awarded $1.6 million to LISC to lead installation of the first 20 mini-pitches. In 2023, AUCF increased its investment in the project when it awarded an additional $3.36 million to LISC to construct another 30 mini-pitches. To learn more about GA 100 including how to apply for a grant, visit atlutd.com/ga100.
LISC – the nation’s leading community development support organization – identifies local, nonprofit and community-based agencies wishing to build or refurbish soccer mini-pitches at schools, neighborhood parks and other recreation spaces in Georgia neighborhoods. Once approved by AUCF, the local organizations receive financing and technical assistance to improve the quality and safety of mini-pitches in their communities. The organizations then oversee the construction, maintenance and programming of the fields.
AUCF is an associate-led fund of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation led by a committee of Blank Family of Businesses associates who inform funding priorities, evaluate grant applications, conduct site visits and monitor the impact of their grants.
Welcome to Cities Connect, where we discuss issues that matter. In this episode, representatives from Explore Georgia, the state’s official tourism website, share how cities can expand the visibility and reach of their local events to audiences throughout the state.
Beginning Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, GMA is partnering with Explore Georgia, the state’s official tourism website managed by the Georgia Department of Economic Development to list fairs and festivals of our members.
This transition will enable GMA to concentrate more fully on its core mission of serving Georgia’s cities, while ensuring that fairs and festivals receive the targeted exposure they deserve. Explore Georgia, as a dedicated tourism platform, offers enhanced visibility and reach, attracting a broader audience specifically interested in events and attractions throughout the state. This partnership ensures that local events will be promoted alongside other key attractions, maximizing their potential impact and drawing more visitors to cities across Georgia.
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Honesty in the workplace is critical to almost all U.S. job seekers, as 96% say it’s at least somewhat important they can be honest with new managers, while 36% believe open communication is absolutely essential.
Additionally, more than two-thirds of job seekers (69%) agree that employees should feel comfortable discussing personal issues with their manager if it impacts their day-to-day work.
This is according to a recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey.
Job seekers recognize specific benefits of honesty in the workplace with 89% agreeing that fostering a work environment where employees and managers can be honest with each other is crucial for a company’s success.
Similarly, 87% believe that employees being honest with their managers is crucial for a productive workforce. Companies may also stand to gain from lower employee turnover and increased retention of key personnel by promoting honesty in the workplace.
A significant majority of job seekers (82%) expressed they would be more loyal to a company if they felt they could be candid with their manager.
Impact on Morale, Productivity and Loyalty
American hiring managers agree that honesty plays a vital role in the workplace — more than half believe employee morale increases (58%), productivity increases (53%) and employees are loyal to the company (51%) when employees can speak honestly at work.
Forty-five percent feel there are fewer conflicts/disagreements, more accountability (45%) and employee turnover decreases (43%) when employees can be honest.
Yet, perhaps unsurprisingly, when employees are not able to speak openly, many believe the opposite occurs in the workplace — employee morale decreases (58%), employee turnover increases (49%), productivity decreases (48%) and employee burnout increases (48%).
Honesty is also a key component in manager-employee relationships, with around 3 in 5 hiring managers (61%) reporting employees’ ability to be honest with them is absolutely essential to their ability to be a good manager.
Specifically, around 9 in 10 hiring managers say employees who feel like they can be honest with their leader are more loyal to their employer (90%) and is a critical part of having a productive workforce (89%). Around 2 in 5 strongly agree with these sentiments (41% and 39%, respectively).
Equipping Leaders with Relevant Training
Recognizing the importance of honesty in the workplace, job seekers appreciate companies that offer resources to managers and employees to support this value.
Ninety-one percent believe that it is at least somewhat important for companies to provide managers with resources/training on how to manage their direct reports’ personal issues if brought up by the employee, with nearly a quarter (24%) feeling it is absolutely essential.
In addition, the vast majority of job seekers (86%) believe it is at least somewhat important that companies provide employees with resources/training on how to manage personal issues so it doesn’t impact their work.
Overwhelmingly, companies feel they have created a space for honesty among their employees and report their company has created a safe and trusting environment that encourages honest communication (86%) and has the right systems/tools in place to allow for constructive criticism to be received well (80%).
In fact, 95% of hiring managers feel employees can speak honestly with anyone at the company regarding their concerns/issues — most commonly their manager/supervisor (68%) and/or peers/colleagues (57%).
“The foundation of any good relationship is trust, which is no different in the workplace,” said Bill Stoller, Express Employment International CEO. “Similar to other leadership training, managers can significantly benefit from structured programs that emphasize healthy communication and the ability to handle challenging conversations.”