DeKalb Tourism Academy Celebrates 1,000th Graduate

DeKalb County, GA - DeKalb Convention & Visitor Bureau (DCVB) is celebrating its 1,000th graduate from the DeKalb Tourism Academy. Vincent Howard, Assistant General Manager of the Northlake Hampton Inn, received his certificate from Gary Greenhut, DCVB Chief Operating Officer. Other Tourism Academy graduates from the Hampton Inn at Northlake include Linda Taylor, Director of Sales; Falishia Ali, Front Desk Clerk; and John Hardman, Night Auditor. Peggy Berg, Owner of the Northlake Hampton Inn, was on hand to personally present each graduate with a DeKalb Tourism Academy pin.

“The DeKalb Tourism Academy is a free program designed to provide training to hospitality employees,” stated Greenhut. “The international award-winning program has reached a milestone and we want to recognize Vincent Howard as the 1,000th graduate and encourage more hospitality employers to look into the free workshops and classes being offered at DCVB,” said Greenhut.

Howard said he enrolled in the program to gain better knowledge of DeKalb County. He moved to DeKalb County three years ago from Augusta. Howard stated that the knowledge he gained from the seminars and workshops has helped him to be more confident when welcoming hotel guests.

The Academy was initiated in 1999 as a tourism certification program to educate hospitality employees about DeKalb County’s assets. All the classes are presented by engaging guest speakers who are veterans of the hospitality industry. Classes include: Customer Service Training, Motivation Workshop, Sales Techniques Seminar, DeKalb Assets Class, and culminate with a FAM tour of DeKalb County.

For more information about the DeKalb Tourism Academy classes and workshops, including pre-registration, call (770) 492-5020 or visit www.dcvb.org.

DCVB is a marketing organization that promotes DeKalb County as a tourism destination. The Bureau provides travelers with free information and assistance.

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