New CVB director sees "great opportunity"

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January 22, 2010

From staff reports

Brett Huske has been named director of the Dalton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau by the agency’s board.

Huske has worked 32 years in the travel and tourism industry, most recently as general manager of the Lakeway Resort and Spa on Lake Travis near Austin, Texas. His wife Katherine works for Precept Ministries in Chattanooga.

“We met in Hawaii. She followed me to Key West, Aspen and Austin. So this time she had an opportunity, so I followed her,” he said.

Previous CVB executive director Margaret Thigpen stepped down in June 2009 after her husband took a job in Mobile, Ala.

The CVB has a staff of three full-time employees and one part-time worker and a budget of just under $400,000, which is funded by the city of Dalton and Whitfield County. Huske’s salary is $60,000. Melanie Suggs, former executive director of the Dalton-Whitfield Joint Development Authority, served as interim executive director until Huske was hired.

Huske says he is still learning about all that the Greater Dalton area has to offer.

“I think there is great opportunity in the sports area, whether it is softball, tennis or cycling,” he said. “All those areas present some great opportunities to bring in visitors.”

He says he plans to work with the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center to bring in more groups and conventions.