Destination Update

Lacey Cummings, Destination Development & Marketing Manager

Events are Back

The first quarter of 2022 has proven to be even more exciting than we could have imagined. It is hard to believe that months have passed as we have had so many events happening in the area to fill our calendar. It is so promising to see programming, both big and small, return to Putnam County. These events not only provide the community with things to do but also attract thousands of visitors to the area every year.

Spring Break Travel

Aside from event-specific travel, visitors to the area continue to grow to a neverbefore-seen level. Spring break travel is well upon us as of mid-March, and if it is an indicator of what our summer will look like, the lakes will be fuller than ever. We are incredibly lucky to have such a great place that people from across the country choose to visit out of all the great destinations out there.

New Spring Items

Last summer we started producing items that highlight Eatonton and Putnam County for both the community and visitors who stop in our Visitor’s Center. We will have a new line of spring items soon including free stickers, stainless steel bottle openers, glassware, and mens hats. These items are in addition to the grey Eatonton t-shirt, 31024 cutting board, blankets, and more.

Meet Our Visitor Center Receptionist Curry Hoats

Hi there! My name is Curry Hoats, and I am the current part-time receptionist for the Eatonton- Putnam Chamber of Commerce. I am a senior at Georgia College & State University pursuing a degree in mass communication with a minor in theater. I plan on graduating in August of 2022. After graduation, I hope to pursue a career in strategic communications or public relations.

During my time at the Chamber, I have been afforded many opportunities to put my mass communication skills to the test. One of my favorite tasks has involved assisting with event planning and coordination. The Chamber's 8th Annual Sweet Tee Off Golf Tournament is the most recent large-scale event I have had the pleasure of helping organize. I aided in the design of flyers, info sheets and press releases. I also assisted in the creation and organization of the Winter 2021 and Spring 2022 Business View magazines. I was also put in charge of the creation and planning of the Chamber's "Throwback Thursday" social media content. Along with social media, I have helped update website content for the Chamber, the visitor's center and Georgia's Lake Country by writing blog posts, constructing itineraries and updating event calendars. Pictured below are springtime-themed Putnam County stickers I designed which are now available for free in the visitor's center. My day-to-day at the Chamber varies depending on what is going on that specific day or week, but on an everyday basis, I answer phone calls, emails, and greet visitors. I assist those who are new to or visiting the Eatonton area. I answer any questions they may have and offer suggestions in hopes of meeting their needs. I can always look forward to something new and exciting happening at the Chamber, and I have truly enjoyed meeting many individuals throughout my time here.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with Lacey, Michael, and Maggie. They have allowed me to gain real-world experience while teaching me so much in the process. I look forward to the rest of my time at the Chamber!

The 8th Annual Sweet Tee Off golf tournament is right around the corner!

This year, the tournament will be Monday, June 13th at the Harbor Club on Lake Oconee golf course.

Previously, the Sweet Tee Off was held at Cuscowilla, and as we and the hundreds of golfers who played with us throughout the years have enjoyed the course, we are excited to provide a new experience to our golfers.

The day will begin with registration and breakfast (the bloody mary bar by Lake Oconee Life is back again this year) then time to get some practice in at the driving range before the shotgun start.

Lunch, sponsored by the Paxis Group, will be delivered on the course and to make sure no one goes thirsty, we will have 12 holes with beverage booths, free for all golfers. In addition to that, we will also have a beverage cart sponsored by Interfor, on the course throughout the entire tournament. After tournament play has concluded, all golfers and sponsors are invited to the 19th hole sponsored by Central Georgia Technical College and Exchange Bank in the Harbor Club Clubhouse. We will have hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar open during the awards ceremony. We will be giving out lots of great prizes for 1st-3rd place tournament winners.

We have limited availability for teams, so be sure to register through the link on the Chamber's Facebook page or contact us at membership@eatonton.com.

2022 sweet tee off sponsors:

All American Services of Georgia BankSouth Billy Webster Century Bank & Trust C.G.T.C. Exchange Bank Farmers & Merchants Bank Interfor US Inc. JV Dell PC Lake Oconee Life Magnolia Medical Group Mercer Medicine Paxis Group print & sign solutions Responsive Technology Partners Sandra Shurling -REMAX SERVPRO The Insurance People tim broyles state farm Tri-Co-Go Wallace & King Realty Yellowstone Landscape

Make sure your business or organization is a part of the fun, register on the Chamber's Facebook page or contact the office at membership@eatonton.com.