Visit Macon Leads the Way

If you want to see how a city can be reimagined, look no further than Visit Macon. Under the leadership of President & CEO Gary Wheat, this organization is not just promoting Macon, it’s orchestrating its transformation using smart technology and a collaborative vision. The result: Visit Macon’s digital platform isn’t just a website. It’s a public face, a stage, and an engine positioning Macon as a city with limitless opportunity.

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A Website Built for Leadership

When Visit Macon launched its redesigned website, it was more than a facelift. The platform was rebuilt with tools to make planning a trip, booking a stay, and exploring Macon easier than ever. Visitors can find upcoming events, craft personalized itineraries, book hotel rooms, and even enjoy virtual previews of the city.

This wasn’t a superficial investment. It was a bold move that signaled confidence in Macon’s future. In today’s world, first impressions happen online. By creating a cutting-edge digital platform, Visit Macon ensures that when corporate planners, event organizers, or potential visitors look up Macon, they see a city with ambition, vision, and momentum.

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Gary Wheat as Conductor, the Staff as Orchestra

Great organizations work like symphonies. If Gary Wheat is the conductor setting the tempo, his staff members are the orchestra, each playing their role with precision and passion to create something bigger than themselves.

The Visit Macon team includes:

• Aaron Buzza, Senior VP & COO – ensuring daily operations run seamlessly.

• Irish Hubbard, Office Manager & Executive Assistant – keeping the organizational gears aligned.

• Trish Whitley, Director of Destination Development – crafting strategies to grow Macon’s appeal.

• Kimberly Chambliss, Director of Visitor Services – ensuring every visitor’s experience is top-notch.

• Naomi Peterson, Group Tour Manager – coordinating group experiences and conventions.

• Christopher Abbott, Services Coordinator – managing event logistics with agility.

• Charlotte Moody, Director of Sales – bringing conventions, meetings, and tourism opportunities to Macon.

• Alex Wood, Sports Development Manager – building Macon’s presence in the sports tourism sector.

• Marisa Rodgers, Director of Marketing – shaping Macon’s story and brand.

• Bo Greene, Digital Media Manager – amplifying that story across digital platforms.

Together, they operate like a finely tuned ensemble. Every role is vital, every piece connected, and the result is harmony that drives Macon forward.

Technology as the Platform for Macon’s Story

The investment into digital tools was more than just about appearances. It created a foundation for growth and influence:

• Immersive Content: Virtual tours, playlists, and interactive experiences allow people to “feel” Macon before they ever step foot here.

• Smart Planning Tools: From booking hotels to building custom itineraries, the site reduces barriers between curiosity and actual travel.

• Search Optimization: The modern, responsive design helps Macon rise to the top of search results, giving the city visibility on a global stage.

• Data-Driven Strategy: Analytics allow Visit Macon to track what resonates, then adapt campaigns in real time to reach more people effectively.

In essence, the site is not just an information hub; it’s a powerful platform for telling Macon’s story and attracting opportunities the city has never seen before.

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Driving Growth and Opportunity

Since Gary Wheat took the helm, Macon has seen growth across multiple fronts. From film projects to statewide sports events, from unique cultural programming to high-profile conventions, the results speak for themselves.

Macon’s reputation as a meeting and event destination has skyrocketed, and the city has secured productions, sports tournaments, and cultural experiences that bring in millions in economic impact. None of this is coincidence. It’s the result of strategic leadership, digital innovation, and a staff committed to excellence.

A Thriving Real Estate Market

Momentum doesn’t stop at tourism and events, it spills into every corner of the community, including real estate. As Visit Macon attracts more visitors, event planners, and corporate groups, executives and professionals are getting a firsthand look at what makes Macon such an appealing place to live.

The result? Macon’s real estate market is thriving.

Executives who first come to the city for conventions or meetings often decide to invest in homes here. They see the value: spacious properties, historic neighborhoods, and new developments available at prices that are far more accessible than larger metro areas. Families relocating here enjoy the slower pace and Southern hospitality, while professionals appreciate the connectivity; Macon offers proximity to Atlanta without the daily congestion.

This growth in homeownership and relocation reinforces the city’s upward trajectory. A strong housing market supports, neighborhoods, and small businesses, creating a virtuous cycle where tourism, business, and community development fuel each other. Visit Macon’s platform is a critical piece of that cycle, because every new event, every new visitor, and every new impression can spark the decision to make Macon home.

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Why This Matters for Macon’s Future

The digital investment by Visit Macon is much bigger than just tourism:

• It drives revenue: Visitors spend money on hotels, dining, shopping, and local attractions.

• It attracts investment: Companies and executives see Macon as a city with modern infrastructure and vibrant leadership.

• It builds civic pride: The story of Macon is being told beautifully — by Macon itself.

• It supports relocation and growth: The more people experience Macon, the more they want to live here.

• It ensures sustainability: A technology-first approach means the platform can adapt as the city grows.

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A City in Crescendo

Under the direction of Gary Wheat, and with a talented staff working in perfect harmony, Visit Macon has become much more than a tourism bureau. It is the conductor of a rising symphony, amplifying the city’s strengths, modernizing its image, and creating opportunities for growth that touch every corner of the community.

Macon is no longer just a destination. It is a city in crescendo, building toward something greater every day. And thanks to the vision and leadership at Visit Macon, the world is starting to hear the music.

Images Courtesy of Visit Macon