Hospitality Business Network Foundation

What Hospitality Business Network Foundation does

The Hospitality Business Network Foundation (HBN Foundation) is a Marietta, Georgia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that combines a paid-membership business networking club with a charitable fundraising mission. Formally incorporated in 2012 but tracing its roots to the 1992 founding of the Turkey Trot Invitational Golf Tournament by associates of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Foundation serves seasoned business executives in Georgia's hospitality and tourism industries through Individual ($1,000/year) and Associate ($500/year for members 35 and younger) memberships, tiered corporate sponsorships ($3,000-$10,000), and recurring events including spring and fall conferences, a Patriots Reception, and the signature annual Turkey Trot Veterans Invitational Golf Tournament. The Foundation's technology footprint is minimal: a WordPress-based public website with online donation processing, an active Facebook page, and email newsletter — there is no proprietary platform, app, or API.

The Foundation's business model is a hybrid of subscription, sponsorship, event, and donation revenue. Members and corporate sponsors fund the operating budget, with a structural commitment that at least 50% of net proceeds from events, sponsorships, and tournament fees flow to two designated 501(c)(3) charities: the Shepherd Center SHARE Military Initiative and the Navy Safe Harbor Foundation. Since 2012, more than $750,000 has been directed to these partners, building on over $1.7 million raised for Atlanta-area charities during the Turkey Trot's first 20 years. The Foundation is governed by a volunteer board and operated without paid staff, reflecting a low-overhead, event-driven go-to-market concentrated entirely within the Atlanta metropolitan area.

Name

Hospitality Business Network Foundation

Legal name

The Hospitality Business Network Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://hbnfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

HBN Foundation is an Atlanta-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership network of hospitality and tourism executives that funds the Shepherd Center SHARE Military Initiative and Navy Safe Harbor Foundation through annual dues, corporate sponsorships, and the Turkey Trot Veterans Invitational Golf Tournament.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Networking and Charitable Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Incentive, VIP & Hospitality Programs (HSACADAN), Golf Clubs & Tournament-Host Clubs (Professional/Elite Golf Clubs) (MPAKABAE)

Keywords

• Hospitality networking
• Nonprofit membership organization
• Charity golf tournaments
• Business referral network
• Veterans charitable giving

Headquarters

HQ city

Marietta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership dues from individual and associate members. Individual membership is $1,000/year; Associate membership (for those 35 and younger) is $500/year. Members receive access to networking activities, conferences, events, and can bring guests.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships at multiple tiers: Presenting Sponsor $10,000, Patriot Sponsor $5,000, and Corporate/Business Sponsor $3,000. Sponsorships include membership benefits and complimentary registrations to events and golf tournaments.
3. Event Revenue: Revenue from event participation including golf tournament registration fees. HBN member rate is $500, non-member rate is $750 for the Turkey Trot Veterans Invitational. Patriots Reception tickets are $250 per person.
4. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations. Donations can be made at various levels ($25, $250, $1,000, $1,500 or other amounts). The organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit with Tax ID #46-2010898.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Hospitality Business Network Foundation is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides a member-to-member business networking community for seasoned executives in Georgia's hospitality and tourism industries. It funds charitable activities through annual membership dues, tiered corporate sponsorships, and signature events such as the Turkey Trot Veterans Invitational Golf Tournament and Patriots Reception, directing a minimum of 50% of net proceeds to the Shepherd Center SHARE Military Initiative and Navy Safe Harbor Foundation.

Product overview

The Hospitality Business Network Foundation is a nonprofit membership organization offering networking and charitable giving programs for Atlanta's hospitality industry. Its core offerings consist of Individual and Associate Membership programs (ranging from $500-$1,000 annually), tiered Corporate Sponsorship packages ($3,000-$10,000), and signature events including the annual Turkey Trot Veterans Invitational Golf Tournament and Patriots Reception. The Foundation also accepts tax-deductible donations at various levels, directing a minimum of 50% of net proceeds to two veteran-focused charities: the Shepherd Center SHARE Military Initiative and Navy Safe Harbor Foundation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Individual Membership Full annual membership for one individual at $1,000 per year, granting access to HBN Foundation networking activities, conferences, and events, with the ability to bring one guest; an additional $500 fee reserves a player spot in the Turkey Trot Invitational Golf Tournament.
• Associate Membership Annual membership at $500 for professionals 35 years of age or younger, providing full access to HBN networking events with the option to add a $500 golf tournament player spot.
• Presenting Sponsor Package Top-tier $10,000 corporate sponsorship that provides complimentary membership for four individuals with four guests, complimentary registration for two foursomes at the Turkey Trot tournament and Patriots & Players Reception, board of directors invitation, and prominent corporate logo recognition across all events, website, and collateral.
• Patriot Sponsor Package Mid-tier $5,000 corporate sponsorship providing corporate logo recognition at all events, on the website, and in collaterals, plus complimentary registration for one foursome at the Turkey Trot Golf Tournament and the Patriots & Players Reception.
• Corporate/Business Sponsor Package Entry-tier $3,000 corporate sponsorship that delivers full membership for four individuals and their guests to all HBN networking events and Spring/Fall Conferences, plus complimentary registration for one foursome at the Turkey Trot Golf Tournament and four seats at the Patriots & Players Reception.
• Turkey Trot Veterans Invitational Golf Tournament Annual November charity golf tournament held for members and non-members (member rate $500, non-member rate $750) that serves as the foundation's primary fundraising event, drawing more than 1,600 area businesses and individuals over its history.
• Patriots Reception Annual evening reception held the day before the Turkey Trot Veterans Invitational Golf Tournament, open to members, guests, and non-members at $250 per person, providing networking opportunities and veteran recognition.
• Spring Social Quarterly networking, fundraising, and social event held at venues such as the founder's residence, featuring entertainment, food, and family-friendly activities for HBN Foundation members and guests.
• Fall Conference Annual fall business conference with networking activities and social components for HBN Foundation members, part of the foundation's biannual conference programming alongside the Spring Conference.
• Tax-Deductible Donation Processing Online tax-deductible donation acceptance at suggested levels of $25, $250, $1,000, $1,500, or custom amounts, with proceeds directed to the Shepherd Center SHARE Military Initiative and Navy Safe Harbor Foundation under the foundation's 501(c)(3) status (Tax ID #46-2010898).

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered primary.

• Shepherd Center SHARE Military InitiativeprimaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012The Shepherd Center's SHARE Military Initiative (Shaping Hope and Recovery Excellence) is one of two designated 501(c)(3) charities supported by HBN Foundation. SHARE provides rehabilitation for military veterans, service members, and first responders with traumatic brain injuries and mental health concerns. HBN donates a minimum of 50% of net proceeds from events and sponsorships to this charity. In 2024, SHARE served 190 unique clients with 13,812 appointments.
• Navy Safe Harbor FoundationprimaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Navy Safe Harbor Foundation supports wounded, injured, and seriously ill Navy sailors and Coast Guardsmen and their families. They fund needs that the Navy and government are not allowed to fund through the Navy Wounded Warrior Program. HBN donates a minimum of 50% of net proceeds from events and sponsorships to this foundation.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Emerging players

• Navy League of the United States: A nonprofit civilian organization supporting Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard service members and their families — closely aligned with HBN's partnership with the Navy Safe Harbor Foundation as a fellow naval/military-support organization.
• Wounded Warrior Project: A major national nonprofit supporting wounded military veterans — the same beneficiary class that HBN's designated charities (SHARE Military Initiative and Navy Safe Harbor Foundation) serve. Comparable as a charitable vehicle for veteran-focused fundraising.
• Patriot Foundation: A veteran-focused nonprofit foundation that fundraises through events and donor programs. Comparable to HBN Foundation's combination of fundraising events and grantmaking to military/veteran causes.

Broad incumbents

• American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA): The national trade association for the U.S. lodging industry, serving hospitality executives with networking, advocacy, and education programs — directly analogous to HBN's networking-for-hospitality-execs value proposition at a national scale.
• Business Network International (BNI): The largest global business referral networking organization, operating on a member-driven referral model. Comparable to HBN's member-to-member business referral culture codified in its 'Take the Call' motto, though broader in industry scope.
• Meetings Professionals International (MPI): Global association for the meetings, events, and hospitality industry, offering membership, networking, and educational conferences. Comparable to HBN's event-driven membership and Spring/Fall Conference programming.

Regional players

• Cobb County Chamber of Commerce: The principal business membership organization in HBN's home county (Cobb/Marietta, GA). Comparable as a regional business networking and member-services organization targeting senior executives in the same Atlanta-metro geography.
• Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (Explore Atlanta): The Atlanta-area destination marketing organization from which HBN's founder W.B. Baldwin and several board members originated. Both organizations serve Atlanta's hospitality and tourism executive community and overlap in target membership and event audiences.
• Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta: The largest community foundation in the Atlanta region, managing charitable funds and grants for local nonprofits. Comparable to HBN Foundation as a 501(c)(3) grantmaking entity serving Atlanta-area charitable causes.
• Georgia Restaurant Association: State-level hospitality industry association serving Georgia's restaurant and food-service executives. Comparable to HBN as a regional membership organization for hospitality decision-makers in the same Georgia market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HBNFoundation
• Xx.com/hbnfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hospitality-business-network-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hospitality Business Network Foundation