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North Augusta Chamber to Spotlight Tourism as a Powerful Economic Driver During May Good Morning North Augusta Breakfast”

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Tuesday, May 12th, 2026

The North Augusta Chamber of Commerce will convene regional tourism, sports, marketing, and business leaders for a strategic conversation on how tourism fuels economic growth across the CSRA during its upcoming Good Morning North Augusta breakfast on Thursday, May 14.
 
Titled “Tourism as an Economic Engine,” the program will examine the growing role tourism plays in driving revenue, supporting local businesses, attracting investment, and strengthening community development throughout North Augusta and the surrounding region.
 
As tourism continues evolving into a major economic development strategy for communities nationwide, the breakfast will explore how local businesses — beyond hotels and restaurants — can directly benefit from sporting events, festivals, entertainment, and visitor activity.
 
“Tourism is no longer just about attracting visitors for a weekend experience,” said Terra Carroll, President & CEO of the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce. “It is about economic impact, quality of place, regional collaboration, and creating opportunities for businesses of all sizes. This conversation is designed to help our business community better understand how tourism translates into jobs, customer traffic, investment, and long-term growth.”
 
Featured speakers and panelists include the leadership team from Explore North Augusta:
  • Karl Waldhauer, Tourism Director
  • Derek Boyd, Events Coordinator
  • Ron Mathews, Center Coordinator
  • Jennifer Goldman, Marketing Director
Joining the discussion as special guest presenter will be:
  • Michelle Pippin, CEO of the Augusta Sports Council
Topics will include:
  • The measurable economic impact of tourism across the CSRA
  • Sports tourism and large-scale event recruitment
  • The role of festivals, tournaments, and entertainment in driving visitor spending
  • How businesses can position themselves to capitalize on tourism activity
  • Regional collaboration between North Augusta and Augusta in building destination appeal
  • Marketing strategies that help local businesses attract visitors and increase spending
The Chamber will also challenge attendees to think beyond traditional tourism models and recognize how industries such as retail, professional services, healthcare, real estate, and small business all benefit from increased visitor activity and destination growth.
 
The breakfast aligns with the Chamber’s strategic pillars of economic development, engagement, education and workforce development, and leadership by connecting businesses to actionable opportunities tied to tourism and regional growth.
 
Event Details:
Good Morning North Augusta
“Tourism as an Economic Engine”
Thursday, May 14
7:30 – 9:00 AM
North Augusta Community Center
 
The event is open to Chamber members and community partners.
The Chamber’s GMNA breakfast series is held at the North Augusta Community Center (495 Brookside Avenue). Advanced registration is encouraged at NorthAugustaChamber.org; $25 for Chamber members and $35 for Visitors. For more information, visitwww.northaugustachamber.org.
 
The Greater North Augusta Chamber of Commerce is an economic development engine. Our mission is to promote and meet the unique needs of local business and industry in order to strengthen the community in which we live, work, play, and do business.