Atlanta Tourism Leader Honored with Legacy Award

Jo Ann Haden-Miller recognized for over 30 years of contributions to Georgia's tourism industry.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:04am

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A highly stylized, geometric illustration depicting the towering skyline of Atlanta in bold, sweeping gradients of color, conceptually representing the grand scale and impact of the city's tourism industry.A prestigious award honors the decades-long legacy of a tourism leader who has championed Atlanta's rise as a global cultural destination.Atlanta Today

The Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (GACVB) has awarded Jo Ann Haden-Miller, senior director of partnerships at the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) and executive director of the ACVB Foundation, the prestigious Tourism Legacy Award. The award recognizes Haden-Miller's more than 30-year career of extraordinary contributions to the tourism industry in Georgia, including co-founding the BronzeLens Film Festival and helping bring the MICHELIN Guide to Atlanta.

Why it matters

Haden-Miller's legacy of leadership has helped shape Georgia tourism for generations. As a respected mentor and steward of the industry, her impact extends beyond marketing into workforce development and community-focused initiatives that have positioned Atlanta as a global cultural capital.

The details

Haden-Miller began her tenure with ACVB in 1989 and has been a driving force behind some of Atlanta's most significant cultural milestones. Through her leadership of the ACVB Foundation, she has championed education and the arts as vital components of destination success. The Tourism Legacy Award honors her enduring commitment to the city and her ongoing role in inspiring the next generation of tourism professionals.

  • The award ceremony took place on March 30, 2026, during the Georgia Tourism Excellence Awards on the final evening of GACVB's Annual Conference.
  • Haden-Miller has served in her current roles at ACVB and the ACVB Foundation since 1989.

The players

Jo Ann Haden-Miller

The senior director of partnerships at the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) and executive director of the ACVB Foundation, recognized for her more than 30-year career of extraordinary contributions to the tourism industry in Georgia.

Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB)

The official destination marketing organization for the city of Atlanta, established in 1913 to favorably impact Atlanta's economy through conventions and tourism.

Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (GACVB)

The organization that awarded the prestigious Tourism Legacy Award to Jo Ann Haden-Miller in recognition of her contributions to Georgia's tourism industry.

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What they’re saying

“Jo Ann Haden-Miller's legacy of leadership has shaped Georgia tourism for generations. As a respected mentor and steward of the industry, her impact extends beyond marketing into workforce development and community-focused initiatives that have positioned Atlanta as a global cultural capital.”

— Amanda Dyson-Thornton, President and CEO, GACVB

The takeaway

Haden-Miller's recognition with the Tourism Legacy Award highlights the vital role that dedicated industry leaders play in shaping the long-term success of a destination. Her commitment to community, education, and the arts has been instrumental in establishing Atlanta as a premier tourism hub, and her mentorship of the next generation ensures that legacy will continue.