Mamie McAbee Director of Augusta & Co.
Rachel Wilkerson Senior Communications Manager
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2026
DESTINATION AUGUSTA ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS AT AUGUSTA & CO. AND COMMUNICATIONS TEAM
Advancements reflect continued investment in visitor experience, brand growth and industry partnerships
AUGUSTA, GA – Destination Augusta, the destination marketing organization (DMO) for Augusta, Georgia, has announced the promotions of Mamie McAbee to Director of Augusta & Co., Augusta’s Experience Center, and Rachel Wilkerson to Senior Communications Manager. Both promotions recognize strong leadership, long-term impact and continued growth within the organization.
Mamie McAbee Promoted to Director of Augusta & Co.
Mamie McAbee has been promoted to Director of Augusta & Co., following three years as Manager of Augusta’s Experience Center. During her tenure, McAbee led initiatives that increased visitation, expanded retail sales of Augusta-made products, introduced new experiential programming, including live music, and supported the growth of the Augusta & Co. staff.
A veteran of the tourism industry, McAbee brings more than a decade of prior experience as a Convention Sales Manager with Destination Augusta (1998-2009), providing deep institutional knowledge and a strong understanding of the destination’s visitor economy.
“Mamie’s leadership has elevated Augusta & Co. into a vibrant, welcoming front door for our destination,” said Destination Augusta Chief Strategy Officer and SVP Jennifer Bowen. “Her ability to blend visitor services, local storytelling and revenue growth has created measurable success, and we’re excited to see what’s next under her direction.”
As Director, McAbee will continue to advance Augusta & Co.’s role as a hub for visitor engagement, community connection and authentic destination experiences.
Rachel Wilkerson Promoted to Senior Communications Manager
Rachel Wilkerson has been promoted to Senior Communications Manager after more than four years serving as Communications Manager for Destination Augusta. With a background in graphic design, Wilkerson is the creative force behind the organization’s brand identity and its distinctive, fun and engaging tone.
Wilkerson leads media and influencer relations, working closely with partners to facilitate coverage that authentically reflects Augusta. She has also played a key role in building the organization’s CRM database and developing internal training programs to help team members use data strategically to support decision-making and partner engagement.
“Rachel is not only a talented creative, but also a gifted educator with a passion for helping others succeed,” said Destination Augusta Chief Marketing Officer Karen Davis. “Her ability to translate data, brand strategy and storytelling into meaningful results makes her an invaluable leader on our team.”
In her expanded role, Wilkerson will continue to grow her leadership responsibilities and will help onboard and guide a new position within the Marketing and Communications team.
About Destination Augusta
Destination Augusta is dedicated to showcasing Augusta as a vibrant and welcoming destination. With a passionate team and forward-thinking strategies, the organization promotes tourism and enhances the visitor experience through collaboration, leadership, and innovation.
For more information about Destination Augusta, go to www.Visitaugusta.com.
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Karen Lee Davis, Chief Marketing Officer
karen@visitaugusta.com
(706) 823-6606
Rachel Wilkerson, Senior Communications Manager
rachel@visitaugusta.com
(706) 823-6607
