Influencer Spotlight: Mike Giles

While Georgia is known for peaches and pecans, poultry is the largest agricultural industry in the state, contributing more than $18 billion to our economy every year. The Georgia Poultry Federation brings growers and sellers from across the state together to celebrate and raise funds at the Cobb Galleria Centre every year.

“Next year will be 25 years!” said Mike Giles, President of the trade association. “It is our most important event of the year. Our guests have the opportunity to network with their colleagues and peers in the industry.”

The nonprofit’s Night of Knights dinner event raises most of its operating revenue for the year at the celebration, which always features a big-name country entertainer. The most recent event was headlined by Josh Turner. Others who’ve entertained in years past include Randy Travis and Willie Nelson.

“Hosting our event at the Galleria has helped us be successful,” Giles said. “Chef Walker really makes an effort to highlight and feature Georgia grown chicken and products, which we appreciate. It’s just amazing that he presents the dish to us as a small group for a tasting and then recreates it for a crowd of 4,000 people. It really is a great facility, but it’s about the people who make the event special. The staff has been amazing at giving us a good experience year after year.”