$20 Million Capital Improvement Planned to Further Develop Georgia’s Premier Resort Destination

PINE MOUNTAIN, Ga. (April 6, 2022) – Herschend Enterprises, the nation’s largest family-owned themed attractions and entertainment company, is thrilled to announce that it has reached an agreement to expand its relationship with the Ida Cason Callaway Foundation (Foundation) following two years of successful management of the Callaway Resort & Gardens. Under the organizations’ new agreement, Herschend will assume ownership of the Resort assets – including the lodge, spa, golf courses, beach area and conference center. In addition, Herschend will lease and manage the Foundation’s Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center, Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, Ida Cason Memorial Chapel and gardens.

As it has done for more than 70 years, the Foundation will continue to operate as a non-profit 501c3 with funding provided through resort revenue, gate sales and community donations. Herschend’s lease and management arrangement will strengthen the Foundation’s position and help preserve its renowned community assets.

“This is an exciting and important milestone for the Foundation – one that assures we can continue our philanthropic efforts in the community and continue Cason and Virginia Callaway’s vision of ‘creating a garden so beautiful that it would make visitors want to go home and lead better lives,’ for generations to come,”
said Fran Rogers, Ida Cason Callaway Foundation Chairperson. “Herschend Enterprises’ expertise in commercial operations has already led to a significant increase in funding, with the new arrangement providing us an even greater opportunity to grow and achieve our mission of conservation, education and land stewardship.”

“We’re honored to carry on the Callaway legacy by bringing our more than 70 years of experience in destination marketing to further develop Callaway as Georgia’s premier resort destination,” Said Herschend Enterprises CEO Andrew Wexler. “We are wholeheartedly committed to preserving and strengthening all that makes Callaway so beloved and special – and look forward to celebrating the area’s natural beauty with a focused effort on world-class events and activities that complement the surrounding landscape.”

Herschend plans to invest more than $20 million over the next five years for renovations and improvements to the Resort and additional advancements to its world-class events.

“Herschend’s enhanced investment is poised to positively impact the Foundation’s growth and tourism to Pine Mountain, Harris County, and across the Chattahoochee Valley,” said Sonny Horton, VP & GM at Callaway Resort and Gardens. “We’re also thrilled for the Resort employees becoming part of the Herschend team, which will provide them exceptional new benefits, including free tuition through Herschend GROW U. and Share It Forward, Herschend’s employee assistance not-for-profit.”

Callaway Resort & Gardens is Harris County’s largest employer and is actively recruiting for full-time, part-time and seasonal career opportunities. Apply online HERE.

Additional information will be made available following the completion of formal agreement documents.

ABOUT CALLAWAY RESORT & GARDENS

For nearly seventy years, Callaway Resort & Gardens has provided “a place of relaxation, inspiration and a better understanding of the living world” for millions of visitors. The destination includes the gardens and resort on 2,500 acres in Pine Mountain, Georgia. Highlights include a tropical butterfly conservatory, discovery center, chapel, inland white sand beach, nature trails, a zip line/obstacle course, and special events.

Also, Callaway Resort & Gardens offers meeting space, wedding and event venues, over 500 guest rooms, a world-class spa, a variety of restaurants, shops, 36 holes of golf, fishing, and more.

ABOUT THE IDA CASON CALLAWAY FOUNDATION

Callaway Gardens was conceived and created by Cason J. Callaway and his wife, Virginia Hand Callaway, to “create a garden so beautiful that it would make visitors want to go home and lead better lives.” In 1950, Cason and Virginia deeded the land that is now Callaway Resort & Gardens to the Ida Cason Callaway Foundation, a foundation previously established by Fuller Callaway Sr. A portion of proceeds from the Resort and gate admissions is gifted to the Foundation to support the expansion and improvement of the Gardens and educational programs.

ABOUT HERSCHEND ENTERPRISES

Herschend Enterprises is the parent company for a family of entertainment brands with a collective vision and mission of bringing families closer together by Creating Memories Worth Repeating®. The company’s roots date back to 1950, when the Herschend family founded their first attraction, a small cave tour in Branson, Mo., which later expanded into the famed Silver Dollar City®. Today, Herschend Enterprises’ is recognized as the largest family-owned themed attractions organization in the US., with 11,000+ employees across 26 properties that collectively entertain more than 14 million guests annually.

Operating companies within Herschend Enterprises include Herschend Family Entertainment (Dollywood® Parks & Resorts, Silver Dollar City®, Adventure Aquarium®, Newport Aquarium®, Kentucky Kingdom®, and Wild Adventures®), Herschend Live (Harlem Globetrotters®), Herschend Entertainment Studios (Splash & Bubbles® and Chuggington®) and Herschend Adventure Holdings, LLC (Pink Adventure Tours®). For more information, visit www.herschendenterprises.com

Nation’s largest privately-held themed attractions company puts love in action – from care for employees and guests to supporting communities.

ATLANTA (March 7, 2022) – goBeyondProfit, a first-of-its-kind business leader initiative that highlights corporate generosity, today announced it has honored Georgia-based Herschend Enterprises as a winner of the goBeyondProfit champion award for 2022. Past award winners include Gas South, Creature Comforts Brewing, H.J. Russell & Company, Aflac, W&A Engineering and Cox Enterprises.

Herschend Enterprises, a 70-year-old entertainment business and its CEO Andrew Wexler were nominated and selected for this award by fellow Georgia business leaders because of their exemplary generous work to improve the lives of others.

Herschend Enterprises, which owns venues and organizations such as Silver Dollar City , Dollywood Parks and Resorts  and the Harlem Globetrotters , was nominated for its business and community focus called “Leading with Love – a core principle for decision-making in good times and bad.

Among its noted works include:

• Silver Dollar City’s Care for Kids program coordinates with public schools to provide necessities for kids, from school supplies to food to coats and vision and medical and dental care.
• The Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library was created with teachers to help increase literacy by providing books for children ages one to five. The program now reaches 10 percent of every child born in the nation.
• The Harlem Globetrotters. This iconic organization focuses on volunteer time spent visiting children in hospitals, US troops overseas, assisting in disaster relief and spreading joy to kids.

Herschend also cares for its employees with their new Herschend GROW U. program, which provides all US-based employees with 100% free tuition, including books, fees and supplies for more than 100 degree, diploma and certification programs – starting day one of employment.

The company maintained health insurance for all furloughed employees during the pandemic despite no revenue earned.

“Love is demonstrated in what you do for others and there may be no better business example of love in action than Herschend Enterprises and its CEO, Andrew Wexler,” said Megan McCamey, President of goBeyondProfit. “At goBeyondProfit, we are eager to raise up exceptional companies that show this generosity mindset that not only prioritizes community needs but is central to guiding business decisions inside the company.”

In an interview, CEO Wexler offers constructive insights for other Georgia business leaders on how to show love for others – including employees. For example, Wexler discussed how to make core business values consistent across an organization through defined language, clear expectations and a purposeful structure that ensures all 11,000+ employees understand and can align around the values. www.gobeyondprofit.org/champion

“Our team really believes in leading with love and they act on it,” Wexler said. “This idea of love in action — treating people with respect, dignity, taking care of each other– that’s how we take this timeless concept of love and operationalize it in our day-to-day business,” Wexler said.

The story of Herschend Enterprises begins in 1950 with the leasing of a single cave that launched an entertainment business that’s now known as the country’s largest privately-held themed attractions corporation. Each of the 26 business units across the US and British Columbia that make up Herschend Enterprises today embodies the company’s foundational values that positively impact the 11,000+ employees and define the experience of their guests and broader communities.

About goBeyondProfit

goBeyondProfit is a statewide alliance launched by business leaders for business leaders to spur corporate generosity and improve people’s lives. To submit a nomination for future goBeyondProfit Champions, visit the goBeyondProfit website and nomination form.

About Herschend Enterprises

Herschend Enterprises is the parent company for a family of 26 entertainment brands with a collective purpose of bringing families closer together by Creating Memories Worth Repeating . The company’s roots date back to 1950 when the Herschend family founded their first attraction, a small cave tour Branson, Mo., which later expanded into the famed Silver Dollar City . Today, Herschend Enterprises’ properties entertain more than 14 million guests annually across the US & British Columbia and is currently recognized as the largest privately-held themed attractions organization in the US.

Operating companies within Herschend Enterprises includes Herschend Family Entertainment (Dollywood®  Parks & Resorts, Silver Dollar City®, Adventure Aquarium®, Newport Aquarium ®, Kentucky Kingdom®, and Wild Adventures®), Herschend Live (Harlem Globetrotters®), Herschend Entertainment Studios (Splash & Bubbles® and Chuggington®) and Herschend Adventure Holdings, LLC (Pink Adventure Tours®).

PINK Adventure Tours Opens March 2022 with Exclusive Baird Mountain and Table Rock Lake Trails

BRANSON, Mo. (February 16, 2022) – Herschend Enterprises, the nation’s largest family-owned themed attractions corporation, is expanding its investment in Branson, Mo. with the opening of PINK® Adventure Tours on March 15. The adventure tour company, founded in 1960, is renowned for its one-of-a-kind off-road excursions in Sedona, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, and the Smoky Mountains, which bring families closer to nature in signature pink Jeep® Wranglers led by certified adventure guides.

“I am beyond excited for folks of all ages to get off the beaten path for a wild ride with PINK – Branson’s off-road adventure tours,” said John Fitzgibbons III, PINK Adventure Tours President. “Guests will enjoy a rugged climb to the top of one of Taney County’s highest peaks and experience the wild, hidden and natural gems that make the region that I personally call home so special.”
Herschend Enterprises and the Herschend family have a deep love and appreciation for the Branson community and the beauty of the Ozarks. The Herschend family started operating Marvel Cave over 70 years ago, and Silver Dollar City opened in 1960 – the very same year as the first PINK Adventure Tour! Today, Herschend Enterprises also operates Showboat Branson Belle, Silver Dollar City Campground, and Silver Dollar City’s White Water in Branson.

“The Citizens of Silver Dollar City Theme Park join me in welcoming Pink Adventure Tours to beautiful Branson,” said Brad Thomas, President of Silver Dollar City. “PINK Adventure Tours joins our park, our water park and our Showboat in providing exciting opportunities for exploration, adventure and family fun. In addition to all of our current family adventures, PINK will now offer new and immersive backroads adventures of the Ozark Mountains – plus the ability to see breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding hillsides,” said Thomas.

PINK Adventure Tours’ signature colored Jeep® Wranglers reflect a majestic pink glow inspired by nature’s sunrises and sunsets. It’s this particular shade of nature that embodies the beauty that can be experienced on every PINK Adventure Tour. All PINK Adventure tours in Branson will be offered throughout the day, with additional tour times at sunset so guests can experience nature’s picturesque pink colors first-hand.

PINK Adventure Tours in Branson

For the first time in over half a century, modern-day adventurers will follow in the footsteps of the fabled pioneer “Old Man” Baird on an exclusive off-road trail that climbs to the summit of Baird Mountain – one of the tallest points in Taney County. Select routes will include the Downtown to Mountaintop Tour, which will travel through Historic Downtown Branson before taking in scenic views of Lake Taneycomo. The Lakes and Landmarks Tour will wind past Ozark valleys and along the shore of Table Rock Lake and the famous Table Rock Dam, a local jewel that serves as a source of hydroelectricity. With full panoramic lake and mountain views throughout every tour, the company looks forward to fully immersing guests into cherished and historic views in a thrilling way that has never been done before.

The Branson PINK Adventure Tour hub, where daily tours will depart, is located at 3310 76 Country Blvd Ste D, Branson, Mo. 65616. The site is currently under construction and will be completed in advance of tours beginning March 15. Adventure seekers can purchase advance tickets at https://www.pinkadventuretours.com/branson-tours.

Additionally, locals in the area interested in becoming part of the Herschend family can discover open positions with PINK at www.pinkadventuretours.com/careers. It was recently announced that Herschend Enterprises will cover 100% of tuition, fees, and books for employees of its attractions who choose to pursue further education via its GROW U initiative.

“We want to welcome Pink Adventure Tours to the Branson region,” said Jason Outman, President/CE of Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB. “Visitors will enjoy the new experiences that the excursions offer along with so many other great family attractions and outdoor adventures.”

ABOUT PINK ADVENTURE TOURS

In the last 20 years alone, more than five million guests from across the globe have shared their vacations with PINK Adventure Tours. Founded in 1960 and based in Sedona, Arizona, PINK® provides unique, unforgettable tour experiences to Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, and the Smoky Mountains, for visitors from around the world. With a fleet of over 150 cutting-edge vehicles, it remains one of the only tour companies with guide trainers certified by the National Association for Interpretation on its staff, and the only tour company to use the Smith System® of Driving by all guides. With a deep commitment to preserving the lands it travels, PINK Adventure Tours pursues stewardship opportunities as an engaged partner for every location in which it operates.

ABOUT HERSCHEND ENTERPRISES

For six decades, Herschend has operated with the purpose of bringing families closer together by Creating Memories Worth Repeating®. The organization is comprised of a family of companies across North America including Herschend Family Entertainment, the largest privately-held themed attractions entity in the US, entertaining more than 14 million guests annually at 26 properties in eight states and British Columbia (Dollywood® Parks & Resorts, Silver Dollar City®, Kentucky Kingdom®, Wild Adventures®, Vancouver Aquarium®, Adventure Aquarium®, and Newport Aquarium®); Herschend Entertainment Studios (Harlem Globetrotters®, Splash & Bubbles® and Chuggington®); and Herschend Adventure Holdings, LLC. (Pink Adventure Tours®). For more information, visit www.herschendenterprises.com

The Nation’s Largest Privately-owned Themed Attractions Corporation Launches Substantial Education Benefit, Starting Day One of Employment

Herschend’s GROW U. will officially launch on February 24, 2022, for all seasonal, part-time, and full-time employees across its 25 US attractions including The Harlem Globetrotters, Dollywood Parks & Resorts (Tenn.), Silver Dollar City (Mo.), Adventure Aquarium (N.J.), Newport Aquarium (Ky.), Kentucky Kingdom (Ky.), Wild Adventures (Ga.), and Pink Adventure Tours (Ariz., Tenn., Nev.).

“Herschend’s GROW U. is not only a significant and transformational investment in our employee’s growth but also our love culture in action,” said Andrew Wexler, CEO of Herschend Enterprises. “Herschend is rooted in love – it’s evident at every Herschend property, every day –in the way we treat and support each other, how we Create Memories Worth Repeating for guests, and most importantly, how we care for our employees.”

“Whether it’s to pursue a new dream or advance their career with us, we care about our employees’ personal and professional growth, because we believe that their futures should be grown with love, not loans,” continued Wexler. “Our team members’ success is our success – and that’s why we’re thrilled to make this benefit available to all, regardless of their role in the company and without the burden of debt.”

HOW IT WORKS

Herschend’s GROW U. offers 11,000 eligible seasonal, part-time and full-time employees and hosts more than 100 fully-funded (100% free) diploma, degree and certificate programs across 30 learning partners in Guild’s Learning Marketplace, including programs in high-demand fields such as business administration and leadership, culinary, finance, technology and marketing. Additionally, the company will provide partial funding, up to $5,250/year, for 150 additional programs in fields including hospitality, engineering, human resources and art design.

Herschend Enterprises selected Guild Education, the nation’s leading education and upskilling platform, to power GROW U. because of their strong reputation for connecting employers and high-value learning providers to create opportunities for America’s workforce. Herschend employees will have access to Guild’s proprietary Learning Marketplace to select from more than 30 learning providers and utilize resources like professional coaches to support their educational journey.

“We’re proud to partner with Herschend to provide their employees with an equitable education program to advance their careers,” said Natalie McCullough, President and Chief Commercial Officer of Guild. “With this program, Herschend is preparing its workforce for the jobs of the future with new skills and mobility opportunities.”

About Herschend Enterprises

Launched in 1950, Herschend Enterprises is a family of companies that focus on family entertainment. Its operating companies include Herschend Family Entertainment (Dollywood® Parks & Resorts, Silver Dollar City®, Adventure Aquarium®, Newport Aquarium®, Kentucky Kingdom®, and Wild Adventures®), Herschend Live (Harlem Globetrotters®), Herschend Entertainment Studios (Splash & Bubbles® and Chuggington®) and Herschend Adventure Holdings, LLC (Pink Adventure Tours®). Herschend properties entertain more than 14 million guests annually. For six decades, Herschend has operated with the purpose of bringing families closer together by Creating Memories Worth Repeating®. For more information, visit www.herschendenterprises.com

About Guild Education

Guild Education is on a mission to unlock opportunity for America’s workforce through education and upskilling. A certified B-Corp, founded to bridge the gap between education and employment for working adults in the U.S. in need of upskilling for the future of work, Guild’s industry-leading technology platform allows the nation’s largest employers — including Bon Secours Mercy Health, Chipotle, Discover, Hilton, Macy’s, Target, Walmart and The Walt Disney Company — to offer strategic education and upskilling to their employees. Guild connects workers to a learning marketplace of the nation’s best learning partners for working adults with tuition paid by the company. Guild’s payments and technology platform, curated learning marketplace, and advanced education and career services come together to help working adult learners advance in their education and career, debt-free. For more information, visit https://www.guildeducation.com/.

After his run at Nickelodeon, he went on to lead the internationally renowned junior golf nonprofit The First Tee, and was most recently Founder and CEO of Rock Hill Media Ventures. There, he forged partnerships with the National Basketball Players Association and Believe Entertainment, the developing studio of Dear Basketball – the Oscar® and Emmy® Award-winning short film from Kobe Bryant – and The LeBrons, an animated series from the mind of LeBron James.

“As we head toward a tremendous milestone, marking our 100th year, there’s never been a more exciting time for the Harlem Globetrotters,” said Herschend Enterprises CEO Andrew Wexler. “With ambitious plans in place for new content and branded media ventures, we know Keith will bring the perfect blend of expertise and drive needed to propel us to the next level.”

The Globetrotters content expansion into millions of homes worldwide is powered by its parent company’s in-house media arm, Herschend Entertainment Studios (HES), which develops and produces 360 franchises of wholesome entertainment worldwide for TV, film, publishing, licensing, and other media. Hit programming from HES includes the internationally syndicated animated series Chuggington and the PBS KIDS animated series Splash and Bubbles.

Keith Dawkins will lead both entities in the newly-created role of President, Harlem Globetrotters & Herschend Entertainment Studios.

“I grew up on the Globetrotters. Their rich history of entertaining and inspiring kids and families, both on and off the court, is undeniable,” said Dawkins. “They are basketball royalty and we have a unique opportunity to expand the brand and reach an entirely new, diverse generation of fans by amplifying the way we do business.”

The Globetrotters are already proving they’ve got more for fans beyond live entertainment. They recently collaborated with hip hop legend and life-long ‘Trotters fan Snoop Dogg to produce fresh video content and music promoting the team’s 2022 Spread Game Tour. Snoop and Globetrotters also collaborated on an exclusive NFT collection featuring the first-ever NFT sitcom, Da Dogg Gone Gym, starring Snoop Dogg with the Globetrotters and internet dance sensation Junebug. A fresh look for the team also made headlines this past year, with world-class designers creating new team uniforms – stepping up the swag while still paying tribute to the brand’s rich and iconic history.

“From content to marketing consumer products and international development – we look forward to bolstering the Globetrotters brand so it continues to thrive for another 100 years” stated Dawkins.

About the Harlem Globetrotters

The originators of basketball style, influencers on today’s game, and skilled athletes of the highest order, the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters have showcased their iconic talents in 124 countries and territories on six continents since their founding in 1926. Proud inductees into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, their mission to spread game and bring entertainment to the world continues to drive them today. The Globetrotters are basketball innovators who popularized the jump shot, slam dunk and the half-court hook shot. For nearly a century, the Globetrotters have exhibited Black excellence on and off the court, entertaining, inspiring, and uniting families. The Harlem Globetrotters International, Inc. is a subsidiary of Herschend Enterprises, the largest family-owned themed entertainment company in the U.S. For more information about the Harlem Globetrotters, visit the Globetrotters’ official website:  www.harlemglobetrotters.com and follow them on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

 

About Herschend Enterprises

For six decades, Herschend has operated with the purpose of bringing families closer together by Creating Memories Worth Repeating®. The organization is comprised of a family of companies across North America including Herschend Family Entertainment, the largest privately-held themed attractions entity in the US, entertaining more than 14 million guests annually at 26 properties across North America (Dollywood® Parks & Resorts, Silver Dollar City®, Kentucky Kingdom®, Wild Adventures®, Vancouver Aquarium®, Adventure Aquarium®, and Newport Aquarium®); Herschend Entertainment Studios (Harlem Globetrotters®, Splash & Bubbles® and Chuggington®); and Herschend Adventure Holdings, LLC. (Pink Adventure Tours®). For more information, visit www.herschendenterprises.com