The Savannah Downtown Business Association luncheon Wednesday, November 9, at the Charles Morris Center, 10 East Broad Street will feature an update from Michael T. Owens, president/CEO of the Tourism Leadership Council, will speak about “TOURISM: Tackling the tough questions!” Networking for the event begins at 11AM and the program starts at 12PM.  Event registration deadline is November 4 at www.savannahdba.com and cost for SDBA members is $25, $35 non-members and elected officials, $10.

Owens has served as the TLC’s top executive since 2012.  TLC is the largest trade organization for the Savannah industry that represents more than 26,000 jobs and an economic impact exceeding 2.7 billion dollars annually. He began his career in the hospitality industry while growing up in Atlanta and moved to Savannah over 15 years ago.

In 2013, Owens founded the Savannah Food & Wine Festival and currently serves as the festival's CEO. During its first year, the festival had an economic impact of 1.8 million dollars

in new spending in Savannah. In the festival’s second year, it was recognized as the second  largest culinary festival in the State of Georgia with an annual economic impact of over 5.1 million dollars.

Owens was appointed by Mayor and Council to serve on the Tourism Advisory Committee. His other community involvement includes serving on the board of directors of The Historic Inns Association, the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, and Savannah-Chatham CrimeStoppers. He is chairman of the Savannah Technical College Programs

Advisory Committee and serves on Chief Lumpkin’s business advisory council. Owens is also Vice Chairman of the Georgia Travel Association and Chairman of the Savannah –Chatham Metropolitan Police Foundation.

For more information, go to www.savannahdba.com and for registration assistance, please email [email protected] or call 912 660 4718.