Atlanta, GA – Marketing veteran William Pate was formally named to replace the retiring Spurgeon Richardson as president and CEO of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) effective January 1, 2009.
Pate will begin working at his new position October 1 as president-elect to assist in the transition that will culminate December 31 when Richardson officially retires after 17 years at the helm of the bureau.
Pate is a longtime member and former chairman of the ACVB board of directors. He has more than 25 years experience in corporate marketing including a stint as chief marketing officer for retail markets for BellSouth and, most recently, as president of media and marketing at Career Sports & Entertainment.
Associates described Pate in the Atlanta media as a “big picture” person who will be able to anticipate the needs of visitors several years out. “William is going to provide tremendous leadership for ACVB and the city’s hospitality industry,” said Steve Smith, chairman of the ACVB board. “He has the leadership to carry us into the future.”
The ACVB executive committee recommended September 4 that Pate be hired pending the board’s formal approval, which was given at its September 18 meeting.
Reach William Pate at (404) 521-6600 or wpate@atlanta.net; Spurgeon Richardson at (404) 521-6604 or srichardson@atlanta.net
