ATLANTA, GA–
This summer, the Georgia Association of Broadcasters embarked on a statewide tour to celebrate the association’s 85th anniversary. The tour included stops in Cartersville, Albany, Athens, Macon, Columbus, Augusta, and Atlanta.
The final stop on the tour was in Savannah at the DeSoto Hotel, the same location where the association was founded 85 years ago. GAB President Bob Houghton says he’s always wanted do something like this but he never imagined it would be this successful.
“The 85th anniversary was the perfect opportunity to get out and meet with our members. In the world of broadcasting today, we just don’t have the time to get out and network with each other. This tour has brought an unexpected comradery that we are so thankful for.”
The GAB was able to reach nearly 500 broadcasters around the state with this tour. Several of these attendees were broadcast engineers. Engineers in attendance were able to hear from GAB ABIP Inspector, John George, about upcoming Radio License Renewals. Houghton says, “Engineers seldom get the recognition they deserve. This tour was a great opportunity to appreciate them and the important role they play in our newsrooms.”
During the tour, the GAB unveiled a commemorative video about the history of broadcasting in Georgia and the beginnings of the GAB. The video explains that the GAB was the nation’s first state broadcast association and it remains one of the most successful in the country. The video also features a positive outlook for the future of the industry.
Attendees at each stop were also given a sneak peek at the association’s upcoming convention, GABCON. The GAB will wrap up the 85th-anniversary celebration at the annual event in September. Houghton says, “We hope the enthusiasm that we saw on this tour will be reflected this fall at GABCON.
For more information about GABCON 2019, click HERE.
