From Atlanta’s Nightlife to City Leadership: Korey Felder Sr. Takes on a New Role in Protecting the Culture
Mayor Andre Dickens announces Felder’s appointment as Atlanta’s Manager of Nightlife and Culture during an evening of industry leadership, emergency preparedness and hospitality education at Live Nation headquarters.
ATLANTA, GA — Mayor Andre Dickens officially introduced Korey Felder Sr. as the City of Atlanta’s new Manager of Nightlife and Culture on Wednesday, October 7, during Training Day: Back to Business, an industry gathering hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Film, Entertainment and Nightlife at Live Nation’s Atlanta headquarters. The announcement marked a significant professional milestone for Felder, a longtime hospitality executive, business owner and former member of Atlanta’s Nightlife Advisory Council whose experience spans multiple facets of the city’s entertainment industry.
For Xposure Magazine, the announcement carried particular meaning. Felder, recognized as a Vanguard recipient for leadership, has been a trusted presence in Atlanta’s hospitality community for years. His appointment represents an opportunity to bring the perspective of someone who has owned, operated and managed nightlife establishments into a municipal role focused on strengthening the industry.
“I chose Korey because I’ve always believed, since meeting him in 2012, that he was a leader not only in personal affairs, but also in business affairs,” said Goldyn P. Smith, founder and Editor in Chief of Xposure Magazine. “I’ve trusted my own personal safety to his leadership and his management while attending various events around the city throughout the years. There’s no one better equipped for this position, having the experience of an owner as well as a nightlife and hospitality specialist. I believe Atlanta is safer with Korey’s leadership helping guide the industry, and I’m excited to see him continue to grow in this capacity.”
Speaking with CBS Atlanta following the announcement, Felder described the appointment as a meaningful next step in a career that began on the operational side of the business.
“It’s a legacy position for me,” he said, reflecting on his experience working in nightlife, from bussing tables to owning and operating establishments. His ambition is to help Atlanta continue developing as a premier destination for hospitality and entertainment, supported by the city’s cultural influence, people and infrastructure.
Raising the Bar for Atlanta Hospitality
Wednesday’s announcement took place during the city’s recurring Training Day initiative, designed to bring nightlife professionals, hospitality operators and municipal agencies together for practical education and dialogue. The October program addressed three essential areas of business operations: service and management, emergency preparedness and security.
Mayor Dickens and Felder co-moderated the evening’s opening discussion, Raise the Bar, Set the Table, bringing together hospitality leaders Stella Onadie, a hospitality design and operations strategist; Niko Karatassos, president of the restaurant group; Sachi Takahara of NAKATO; and Courtney Foster, a member of Atlanta’s Nightlife Advisory Council with extensive hospitality and nightlife experience.
“Service starts at the door,” Dickens told attendees, emphasizing that restaurants, hotels and nightlife venues often shape a visitor’s first impression of Atlanta.
The discussion examined the importance of hospitality long before a guest reaches the table or dance floor. Onadie addressed cleanliness, presentation and the physical environment, while Takahara described NAKATO’s multigenerational hospitality legacy and the decision to invest in renovations that protect guests from the rain as they arrive. The improvement reflected a broader philosophy of anticipating guests’ needs rather than waiting for them to ask.
Karatassos focused on the human side of service, explaining that his hiring priorities include finding people who genuinely enjoy making others happy and possess the willingness to learn. His remarks reinforced the importance of developing employees who understand that hospitality requires responsiveness, patience and a commitment to improvement.
Foster challenged the familiar notion that the customer is always right, explaining that the expression has particular relevance to matters of taste. Her example of a guest requesting $100 tequila in a margarita illustrated the difference between accommodating preferences and allowing customer demands to override responsible business practices.
As the conversation turned toward alcohol service, the panel explored the responsibilities of owners and employees to recognize intoxication, avoid overserving guests, de-escalate difficult situations and ensure that hospitality never comes at the expense of public safety.
Preparedness That Can Save Lives
The evening’s second workshop, Ready When It Matters, delivered some of the program’s most consequential information.
Captain Sherwin Brown and Lt. Monique Lamb of Atlanta Fire Rescue led emergency response instruction covering Narcan administration, overdose awareness, choking and airway emergencies, and techniques for controlling severe bleeding. Attendees learned about the importance of emergency supplies, quick intervention and knowing what to do while awaiting professional medical assistance.
For Smith, the training was especially personal.
“My family experienced a tragedy during COVID with the loss of my nephew, so being able to attend something this informative meant a great deal to me,” she shared. “Learning directly from Atlanta Fire and emergency medical professionals about how to treat wounds, control bleeding, use tourniquets and understand the importance of having emergency first-aid kits readily available was invaluable. Safety has to be a priority. These are tools and resources that can make a difference when someone’s life is on the line.”
The training also addressed the realities of opioid overdoses and the importance of preparing hospitality employees to recognize emergencies rather than assuming they will never occur.
Foster reinforced that message in comments reported by FOX 5 Atlanta, acknowledging that substance use is a reality within nightlife and that educating employees to respond effectively can help protect patrons.
The final workshop, Protecting the Bag, addressed security best practices, including emergency planning, crowd management, protection of high-profile guests and professional standards for security providers. The session featured Trevor Young, Mark Gardner of MAG Consultants, Sgt. Jeremy Thompson and Lt. Craig Burrell, connecting the concerns of business operators with the expertise of security and public safety professionals.
Together, the workshops emphasized a principle that extended throughout the evening: the most successful hospitality businesses are those that understand guest experience and guest protection as shared responsibilities.
A New Chapter for Atlanta’s Nighttime Economy
Atlanta’s nightlife is an essential part of its cultural identity, supporting restaurants, music venues, entertainment destinations, hospitality workers and countless businesses that contribute to the city’s economy. The Mayor’s Office of Film, Entertainment and Nightlife, directed by Phillana Williams, provides an important connection between those businesses and the city agencies responsible for regulation, resources and public safety.
Felder’s appointment places an experienced industry professional in a position to help strengthen those relationships. His familiarity with the realities of operating nightlife businesses, combined with his years of community involvement, offers an opportunity to advance conversations about safety, professional development and Atlanta’s continued growth as an entertainment destination.
For Xposure Magazine, Wednesday’s gathering was both a celebration of leadership and a reminder of why that leadership matters. The people who shape Atlanta’s nightlife are entrusted not only with creating memorable experiences, but also with the safety and well-being of those who enter their establishments.
Xposure Magazine congratulates Korey Felder Sr. on his appointment and extends its appreciation to Mayor Andre Dickens, the Dickens administration, the City of Atlanta, Phillana Williams and the Mayor’s Office of Film, Entertainment and Nightlife for continuing to invest in the people and businesses that sustain Atlanta’s hospitality industry. We also recognize Live Nation for hosting the gathering, Atlanta Fire Rescue, Atlanta Police, the participating panelists, security professionals and the hospitality community for their contributions to an evening of meaningful education and collaboration.
For Felder, the appointment represents the next chapter in a career built on service, relationships and industry experience. For Atlanta, it is an opportunity to strengthen the connection between the people who create its nightlife experiences and those responsible for ensuring that everyone can enjoy them safely.
