Aug. 11: Benchmark Day at Brown Conference Center

 

Media release:  "So how are things at the Conference Center?" is without a doubt the single most popular question asked of its staff.  Typical answers to this question include hospitable business answers such as "Busy," "Great," and "Everyone loves it."  However, with the commitment made by Bartow County government, its municipalities and its residents in constructing this facility with SPLOST collections always prevalent in their minds, the staff works diligently on a daily basis to achieve goals and to produce economic results.

Just shy of one year in operation, the staff of the Clarence Brown Conference Center is pleased to announce that August 11, will be a "benchmark day" when for the first time all interior spaces of the center will be in use by rental clients at one time.  In-house this Thursday will be a mix of corporate, education, and state government clients attracting approximately 400 guests to the facility.  Training sessions, lectures, morning and afternoon breaks, and luncheons will keep the staff busy assisting with set-up, audio visual needs and sharing local visitor information.

Conference Center Director Melissa Rhodes said the center's team of dedicated professionals has helped achieve many goals in the past year.  "The conference center staff provides exceptional quality service and seamless event planning to every client," said Rhodes. "Each team member is well aware of how they impact the customer experience here." Rhodes also commented that she views every client as a stakeholder in the conference center and the staff has the responsibility to represent the community with the highest level of professionalism at every event.

Sales and Event Coordinator Penny Davis concurs that professional service is a key component in the conference center's success to date.  "The amenities offered and our professional service seems to make the difference in solidifying our center as the ideal destination for corporate and social events."  Davis noted that amenities such as snack break service, linens, place settings, stages, dance floors, portable bars and more allow event planners to choose and select custom event details with one appointment.  "The center's built-in interactive digital equipment is highly attractive to both corporate and social clients," Davis added.

Conference center clients agree.  "Although my company operates across the USA and in some 43 nations across the globe, we rarely find a facility that offers all the amenities of the Clarence Brown Conference Center.  And even more rare is the warm and welcoming spirit that radiates from the staff," conveyed by Matthew Lawless, district manager with Ehrlich Pest Control following a regional meeting hosted at the center in February.

In its first year of operation the center has hosted almost 200 events with more than 37,000 people attending.  A conservative estimate of community economic impact from these events is just under $2 million dollars in direct expenditures.  Going forward, more than 55 events are currently planned for fall 2011 into 2012.

The Clarence Brown Conference Center encompasses 44,000 sq. ft. of exhibit, meeting, office and service space on a 20-acre campus that includes the Bartow Amphitheater and Pavilion.  The center features 15 interior spaces designed to host events of 20 to 2,000 people.  Operated by the Cartersville-Bartow County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the facility houses the official Georgia Regional Visitor Information Center for Cartersville and all of Bartow County, Georgia.  The center is available for rent from 7 a.m.-midnight daily.  Call the administrative office between the hours of 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday for an appointment, 770-606-5763.

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