Local awards recognize this year’s community business and growth

Macon’s community organizations and partners are recognizing the citizens and businesses that helped shape this year while also looking forward to the city’s future as 2025 comes to an end.

The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce held its annual award ceremony at Fall Line Station downtown Nov. 20 to celebrate economic impact and growth of local business. 

The chamber recognized nine individuals and businesses this year with awards, including a Josh Rogers Citizen of the Year award in honor of the late Newtown Macon president who helped shape downtown revitalization. 

In her state of the chamber address, president and CEO Jessica Walden discussed the coming year and announced the name of the next five-year initiative: Choose Macon.

Earlier this month, Visit Macon also hosted an award ceremony to recognize contributors to Macon’s tourism industry.

 Antowanna Fountain was caught by surprise when Visit Macon gave her the B. J. Cain Top of the Line Award for providing “exemplary experiences” to guests as assistant general manager of the Springhill Suites by Marriott.

A Macon native, Fountain has worked at Springhill Suites for four years after starting in the hospitality industry when she was 19.

She said the award, given to her at a ceremony on Nov. 6, made her feel “seen” and “appreciated.”

“You get used to it just being your everyday job, or just part of who you are,” Fountain added.

Her job also gave her a new perspective on the city she calls home. Locals often take Macon for granted, Fountain said.  

“Most of the time that I do hear wonderful and great things about our city, it’s always from our guests,” she said. 

Another award winner, DSTO Moore, echoed a similar sentiment. Having grown up in Pleasant Hill, Moore said he witnessed firsthand the growth of Macon, especially downtown.

“I’m from Macon, been here my whole life but it’s like I’m new to Macon too,” he said.

Moore didn’t even know he was attending an award ceremony, but found himself accepting the Steven Fulbright Soul of Macon Award. 

The award is a full circle moment for the Macon native who recalled how Fulbright gave him his first big break seven years ago when he offered him a photography gig. Today, Moore frequently partners with the city and is a familiar face around town.

Oak View Group won the Macon Partner of the Year Award for its contributions to tourism and its economic impact. The group manages three of Macon’s top venues — the Coliseum, City Auditorium and Atrium Health Amphitheatre — where it has brought top names in music and entertainment to the city. District general manager David Aiello said Macon’s unique location in the heart of Georgia is what sets it apart and the goal in the new year will be to keep up with similar offerings in Augusta, Savannah and Athens.

EJ Nobles received the Otis Hughes Tourism Spirit Award for his more than 30 years working at Macon’s historic 1842 Inn. 

Nobles, who recently retired, served as the face of Macon for many out-of-towners. Not only did he greet travelers who stayed in town, he also directed them to the best food and entertainment around the city — curating a memorable visit and lasting impression of the city.

“I love going out of the way to someone’s stay really pleasant and going that little extra mile,” he said.

Guests were treated like friends, Nobles added, and it’s the “down home” hospitality that makes Macon so special. 

Some visitors still remember his kindness and keep in touch, exchanging Christmas cards and sending emails. 

Nobles saw countless guests come and go in his more than three decades at the inn — even some famous faces, like Oprah Winfrey and Cher.

He said each visitor was all the same to him.

“We just treated them like normal people,” he said. “We treated our common traveler the same way. They were special from the minute they walked in.”