Georgia-2009-SR42-Enrolled

Recognizing and commending Mr. Anthony "Tony" Schopp; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Mr. Anthony "Tony" Schopp served in the hotel industry for over 20 years as the head of field sales for both Hyatt Hotels and Resorts and Westin Hotels and Resorts in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Schopp has also served as executive vice president of the Machinery Dealers National Association, an international group of small businesses in the machine tool industry; and

WHEREAS, in 1998, after moving to Savannah, Georgia, with his wife, Georgeanne, Mr. Schopp presided as president and CEO of the Savannah Convention and Visitors Bureau until 2006; and

WHEREAS, during his time as president and CEO of the Savannah Convention and Visitors Bureau, the revenue to Savannah based on tourist dollars increased more than 200% from $958 million in 1998 to $1.941 billion in 2006; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Schopp's strategy for increasing tourism in Savannah was to focus marketing on attracting overnight visitors and concentrate efforts on expanding the business side of tourism in the city; and

WHEREAS, he has played leadership roles in many tourism focused organizations, including the Savannah Film Commission, Savannah Music Festival, Georgia Department of Community Affairs Hotel Motel Tax Performance Review Board, Southeast Tourism Policy Council of the United States Department of the Interior, and the Executive Association of Savannah; and

WHEREAS, in April, 2002, Mr. Schoop established the Tourism Development Alliance of Georgia, which began as a small group of tourism industry professionals from around this state who gathered to establish a unified strategic effort to further tourism in Georgia; and

WHEREAS, as chairman of the Tourism Development Alliance of Georgia, Mr. Schoop led efforts to establish funding for the group's first summit, which was ultimately held on November 10, 2002; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Schopp's hard work, dedication, and vision was instrumental in the establishment of the Tourism Development Alliance of Georgia, and the success achieved by this organization are a direct result of the solid foundation he established.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body join in commending the achievements of Mr. Anthony Schopp and recognizing his foresight and resolution in founding the Tourism Development Alliance of Georgia.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Mr. Anthony Schopp.