Accepting the "Partner Agency Tourism Champion Award" from Governor Sonny Perdue are: (l-r) Jeannie Buttrum, Classic South regional tourism representative for the Georgia Department of Economic Development; Sherry McKellar, Lincoln County Development Authority; Washington-Wilkes Tourism Director Ashley Barnett; Governor Perdue; Beda Johnson, Columbia County Convention and Visitors Bureau; Elizabeth Vance, Thomson-McDuffie County Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Trent Mercer, Classic South Travel Association. Partnership accepts the Tourism Sherry McKellar of the Lincoln County Development Authority and her tourism partners in the area were recognized for their efforts at the Governor's Tourism Conference held last week in Albany.

Representing the five counties of the Clark's Hill Partnership of Georgia, McKellar and other tourism staff members received the prestigious "Partner Agency Tourism Champion Award" from Governor Sonny Perdue on Friday.

The presentation was made to the team members at the Governor's Brunch and Awards Ceremony that concluded the state tourism conference.

"I was delighted that our team was honored in this fashion," said McKellar. "It was so exciting to receive the Partner Agency Tourism Champion Award from the governor and our tourism peers. Basically, it is an indication of how hard the partnership has worked together to bring tourism to the Clark's Hill area. The award also highlights how important it is that we continue to work together to represent our region at the state as well as the national level."

In addition to McKellar, the members of the tourism team for the partnership accepting the award were: Washington-Wilkes Tourism Director Ashley Barnett; Beda Johnson, Columbia County Convention and Visitors Bureau; Elizabeth Vance, Thomson-McDuffie County Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Jeannie Buttrum, Classic South regional tourism representative for the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

O.B. McCorkle of the Warren County Development Authority was unable to attend the conference.

To win the award, the Clark's Hill Partnership of Georgia used a Tourism Foundation Co-op Marketing Grant to promote regional tourism in conjunction with the 2007 Bassmaster Weekend Series National Championship held at Wildwood Park last November.

In addition, the group worked together effectively to manage the following projects during the past year:

.. Development of a partnership banner stand display and brochure in cooperation with the Classic South Travel Association.

.. Sponsorship of a 30-minute fishing show, "BassEdge," that appeared on Versus Network in January of 2008.

.. Sponsorship of booths at the Bassmaster Classic Championship in February of 2008 and the FLW Cup Championship and Expo in August of this year.

The Clark's Hill Partnership of Georgia, representing Lincoln, Wilkes, Columbia, Warren, and McDuffie counties, was originally created by former State Senator Jim Whitehead, whose legislative district was comprised of all or a portion of the counties participating in the partnership.

The group meets quarterly and the voting members are the county administrators, county commissioners, and community mayors. Walker Norman of Lincoln County serves as chairman of the partnership's board of directors. Sam Moore of Wilkes County is the vice chairman.

In 2006, the partnership tourism team members began attending the meetings to work together to cooperatively market the Clark's Hill area. The meetings also include representatives of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Regional Development Council, and other public and private agencies, who enhance the group's collaborative spirit.

In economic terms, the counties in the partnership range from Tier 1 (the most economically disadvantaged) to Tier 4, yet find common ground in tourism marketing.

For more information about the partnership, contact the Lincoln County Development Authority at 706-359-7970.