Georgia tourism monthly e-newsletter, Dec. 2008

December 2008 Issue
In This Issue:
GEORGIA MADE GEORGIA GROWN PRODUCTS WEBSITE AVAILABLE TOURISM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT GRANTS DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING 2009 THEMES FOR GDEcD's TRAVEL eCRM GDEcD'S RESEARCH UPDATE GEORGIA ECONOMIC IMPACT MODEL - GEMODE CALCULATOR NEW TECHNOLOGY IMPROVES SECURITY AND FACILITATES U.S. ENTRY PROCESS FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS TIA TO BECOME U.S. TRAVEL ASSOCIATION GEORGIA'S ANTEBELLUM TRAIL CELEBRATES INAUGURAL PILGRIMAGE THE SMITH HOUSE JOINS HISTORIC HOTELS OF AMERICA LIBERTY COUNTY BECOMES HOME TO THE WORLD'S LARGEST CRAYON BOYHOOD HOME OF PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON DESIGNATED A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK SAVANNAH'S RIVER STREET BENEFITS FROM HISTORIC MARITIME INTERPRETIVE PROJECT THE FIRST EMPEROR NAMED ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE'S TOP 10 EXHIBITS OF 2008 STONE MOUNTAIN PARK'S FIRST "SNOW MOUNTAIN"

GDEcD'S SALES TEAM UPDATE
PRESS RELEASE: GEORGIA'S PERFORMING ARTS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
PRESS RELEASE: UNIQUE HOLIDAY FINDS ALL ACROSS THE STATE
PRESS RELEASE: WARNER ROBINS SELECTED AS SITE OF NEW LITTLE LEAGUE SOUTHEAST REGION HEADQUARTERS
SAVE THE DATE: 2009 TECHNO TOURISM CONFERENCE
SAVE THE DATE: 2009 WINTER CHAUTAUQUA
TRAVEL TRENDS: FEWER WORKERS TACK ON VACATIONS TO BUSINESS TRIPS
........................................................................................................................................ Georgia Made Georgia Grown Products Website Available
More than 400 Georgia-based artisans, theaters, crafters, agritourism venues, festival planners and others have already registered their businesses for free on the site. The Creative Economies website was created to market and promote Georgia Made Georgia Grown Products connecting buyers and sellers, corporations and corporate suppliers, locals and visitors to Georgia's creative small businesses. Simply go to www.gamadegagrown.org and follow the instructions. Approved entries will be posted FREE for one year.
All businesses who register between November 21 and December 21, 2008 will be included in the first round of search results for this much-anticipated, first-of-its-kind and FREE website. Companies and individuals can register everyday; however, registering between Nov. 21 - Dec. 21 will ensure inclusion when the site debuts. Registering early also enters you into a drawing for a Georgia Made Georgia Grown Products gift basket.
Visit www.georgia.org/foundation to learn more about this economic development effort led by the Georgia Tourism Foundation. Please feel free to contact the Georgia Tourism Foundation via email at tourismfoundation@georgia.org for more information.

................................................................................................................
Tourism Product Development Grants Deadline Fast Approaching
Applications for the second round of the Tourism Product Development matching grants are being accepted until Tuesday, December 30, 2008. Eligible recipients include not-for-profits or for-profit entities and can request up to $8,000. Each entity applying for a grant must be sponsored by a city, county, or authority. A broad range of expenditures from feasibility studies to "bricks and mortar" are eligible for funding. For complete details and application materials, please visit the Tourism Grant Programs section on www.marketgeorgia.org.
................................................................................................................
2009 Themes for GDEcD's Travel eCRM:
Below you will find the 2009 Travel eCRM themes for the state's consumer e-newsletter. Visit www. exploregeorgia.org to sign up to receive a copy of the monthly newsletter.
2009 eCRM Themes:
q
January: Must-Sees
q
February: Romantic Getaways
q
March: Spring Break
q
April: Gardens
q
May: Outdoor Adventures
q
June: Summer Kickoff
q
July: Georgia Grown
q
August: State Parks
q

September: His or Hers Getaways (golf or spa etc.)
q
October: Foliage & Festivals
q
November: Shopping
q
December: Holiday
.......................................................................................................................................... GDEcD Research Update:
According to the latest Smith Travel Research Standard Historical TREND report, Georgia hotel revenues are down 3.1 over October 2007. Overall occupancy was down 7.1 % this year compared to 2007.
For the complete October-November 2008 Research Newsletter, go to the industry research section on www.marketgeorgia.org.
........................................................................................................................................ Georgia Economic Impact Model - GEMODE Calculator
Research is the key to determining the current, past and potential impact of the tourism industry on the State's economy. In order to get a deeper understanding of the Economic Impact generated by fairs and festivals within the state of Georgia, the State contracted Dr. Bruce Seaman with Georgia State University to develop an Economic Impact model (GEMODE). This model is an easy to use excel based worksheet that can help communities analyze the actual impact of local fairs and festivals. One of the goals of this calculator is to track the success these events and start to build a database of results. The database can then be used to determine the feasibility of hosting events and help communities to forecast potential revenue streams.
Testimonial from Beda Johnson, Executive Director of the Columbia County Convention and Visitors Bureau:
"Thanks to GDEcD's GEMODE calculator, I can send you the attached document that showcases our regional event outcomes for 2008. Thanks so much to you and the folks who worked so hard to develop this formula so we could have a better understanding of how tourism directly affects our regional economy. We hope to continue to expand use of this formula to other group events and

festivals in the future...the hotel information is just so easy to capture with sporting events that it makes completion of the formula EASY!
Each of these events brought revenue into not just Columbia County, but also Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Warren and Wilkes counties. I have forwarded a copy of this document to Preston Sparks at the Augusta Chronicle at his request so he can include it in an article he's producing about tourism. Thanks again for your hard work!
For more information about the GEMODE calculator, please contact Nerissa Serrano at nserrano@georgia. org.
........................................................................................................................................ New Technology Improves Security and Facilitates U.S. Entry Process for International Visitors
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is upgrading its biometric collection technology to more quickly and accurately identify international visitors. This upgrade includes using new, faster fingerprint scanners to collect additional fingerprints from international visitors when they enter the United States. The new fingerprint scanners are being used at several ports of entry. Click here for more information.
.................................................................................................. TIA to Become U.S. Travel Association
The Board of Directors of the Travel Industry Association (TIA) approved a merger on Friday, December 12 with the Travel Business Roundtable. The newly formed U.S. Travel Association, effective January 1, 2009, will further intensify the voice of America's $740 billion travel industry. The U. S. Travel Association will represent leaders from nearly all major travel-related companies, state travel and tourism offices, dozens of the top U.S. convention and visitors bureaus and nearly all of the major travel associations. The new organization will serve as the leading advocate for increasing travel to and within the United States and provide its members with valuable research, events and marketing. "Travel supports nearly 18 million U.S. jobs that cannot be outsourced and contributes more than $100 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue," said Roger Dow, TIA's President and CEO, who will serve in the same capacity for the U.S. Travel Association. "America's travel community has created an organization that matches the power and scope of America's travel economy." For information, visit www.tia.org.

.................................................................................................. Georgia's Antebellum Trail Celebrates Inaugural Pilgrimage
Georgia's Antebellum Trail, the first official Trail, is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2009 with the first annual Antebellum Trail Pilgrimage. Comprised of seven communities, this Pilgrimage will transport visitors back in time as they visit historic homes, experience authentic battle sites, view impressive architecture and tour magnificent museums. Georgia's Antebellum Trail Pilgrimage will take place on three consecutive weekends this spring. The dates are April 16-18, April 23-25 and April 30-May 2 from 10am - 4pm. It will feature events and tours along the Trail as well as entrance into private, historic homes not open to the general public. Tickets are $25 and will include access to seven attractions and/or events. The tickets can be purchased at any of the Welcome Centers along the trail. For more information, visit www.antebellumtrail.org.

.................................................................................................. The Smith House Joins Historic Hotels of America
The Smith House in Dahlonega, Georgia is pleased to announce it has joined Historic Hotels of America, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and a brand of Preferred Hotel Group. The Smith House is one of more than 220 hotels and resorts throughout the country that is recognized by Historic Hotels of America for preserving and maintaining its historic integrity, architecture and ambiance. To be selected for membership in National Trust Historic Hotels, a hotel must be at least 50 years old, listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or recognized locally as having historic significance. For more information, visit www.smithhouse.com.
.......................................................................................................................................... Liberty County Becomes Home to the World's Largest Crayon
On November 19, Keep Liberty Beautiful announced that Liberty County is home to the Guinness Book of World Records World's Largest Crayon. The official stats on the crayon are as follows: 9ft. 8in. tall; 605.5 lbs.; 49in. in circumference; 15in. in diameter. There were over 119,000 crayons that make up the world's largest. School children throughout Liberty County have been working since spring to collect and recycle their old, unused crayons. Liberty County is home to the 3rd ID, Fort Stewart, the largest military installation east of the Mississippi River and this project has already become something talked about in the community. Click here for more information

.................................................................................................. Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson Designated a National Historic Landmark
Secretary of the Interior Dick Kempthorne designated the Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson in Augusta, Georgia as a new National Historic Landmark on October 6, 2008. Fifteen additional sites in ten other states were also designated as new National Historic Landmarks, including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and the Aaron Copeland House, both in New York. The designation recognizes the sites as nationally significant historic places because they possess exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States. Other sites in Richmond County which have previously been designated are the Augusta Canal Industrial District, Stephen Vincent Benet House, College Hill, Old Medical College Building and Meadow Garden. The Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson is the first building in Augusta to receive the designation since 1996. Click here for information.
.................................................................................................................. Savannah's River Street Benefits from Historic Maritime Interpretive Project
The project will place a series of fifteen interpretive panels along River Street that each tells a piece of the story of Savannah's maritime history. The panels cover a wide range of themes from the Settlement of Savannah in 1733 to Savannah's Liberty Ships and the Atlantic Bridge during WW II. The panels will be placed along the rail on River Street at regular spaced intervals and/or in historically specific locations. The panels will be numbered in a fashion that will convey to visitors that there is a "trail" of signs, thus encouraging

movement along River Street. The panels will introduce the first historical interpretive element to River Street. The panels were unveiled on December 5 at 11:00am.
.......................................................................................................................................... The First Emperor Named One of Time Magazine's Top 10 Exhibits of 2008
TIME Magazine has selected "The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army" as one of the Top 10 Museum Exhibits of 2008. The exhibition, which opened to the public on November 16, has already drawn over 70,000 visitors and drove a record one-day attendance of nearly 7,000 visitors to the High on the day after Thanksgiving, November 28. "The First Emperor" was inspired by one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Featuring over 100 works, including 15 terracotta figures, the exhibition represents one of the largest groups of important works relating to the First Emperor ever to be loaned to the U.S. Click here to view the complete article.
........................................................................................................................................ Stone Mountain Park's First "Snow Mountain"
Snow is already falling at Stone Mountain Park, and on Dec. 31, families will be able to enjoy three football fields of deep snow including a 400 foot tubing hill and a 30,000 square foot play area. The attraction opens New Year's Eve and continues weekends through March 1, with the snow making process now online at www.snowmountainpark.com and on the Snow Mountain Fan page on Facebook by searching for "Snow Mountain." Snow Mountain is Atlanta's first snow park and allows the young and young at heart to connect with their inner child. Situated on what is commonly known as the "laser lawn," the family snow park includes 11 tubing runs, special places to make the ultimate snow men and snow angels, a snowball making zone and a play area for younger kids. The snow park also has various sites from which to view the activities including an observation area, a group of warming chalets and bonfires for roasting marshmallows and making s'mores. To create the attraction, Stone Mountain Park uses a closed loop system that borrows water from Stone Mountain Lake that does not tap into city water. For more

information, visit www.snowmountainpark.com.
........................................................................................................................................ GDEcD Sales Team Update:
Group Sales:
Group Tour Boot Camp - Group Tour Boot Camp was held December 11 - 12, 2008 in Macon at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. Thirty state partners registered and attended the two day seminar. Sessions included: Group Tour 101 recap, Profile Sheet Creation, Group Tour Research Dynamics, User Friendly Marketing Tools, Itineraries for You and Me, and Georgia Group Tour Strategy updates. Thank you to those who participated and we look forward to seeing more of you in June for the next installment. Please keep an eye out for registration information from your Regional Tourism Representative.
American Bus Association (ABA) promises to be an exciting show for Georgia in 2009! GDEcD will once again participate as a sponsor for the American Bus Association Marketplace in Charlotte, NC from January 6-13, 2009. Our theme will be Movies, Music and Munchies which will help to increase Georgia's exposure in the marketplace. For six days, we will distribute collateral as well as the movie and music themed itineraries and giveaways that celebrate Georgia.
Motor Coach Tracking - The Visitor Information Center (VIC) program has partnered with Group Sales, Katie Baasen, to start a motor coach tracking program in Georgia. Each time a motorcoach group stops at one of the VICs, we are asking them to fill out a form requesting basic information. One of the questions asked is if they would like to receive more information for group travel opportunities in Georgia. Katie Baasen will follow up on these requests with GA information, just as if attending a travel show. We will also be sharing this prospect list with our state partners. This list will be distributed through your Regional Tourism Reps monthly. This is not an all inclusive list, just those motorcoach groups asking for more information, and it does not include groups that stop at the VICs after hours.
Consumer Sales:
Pam Kruseck attended the AAA Carolinas 'Superbowl of Knowledge' in Charlotte, NC from November 22 - 23, 2008. AAA 'Superbowl of Knowledge' is a two-day training seminar for 185 AAA staff members including Travel Counselors and Member Services are updated on new trends. Pam

handed out travel collateral including a digital version of the state Travel Guide, Golf Guide, African American Heritage Guide and Calendar of Events.
AAA East Tennessee Travel Expo in Knoxville and Tri-Cities, TN - January 10 - 11, 2009 - In its 12th year, the AAA East Tennessee Cruise and Travel Shows have become the premier travel and sales event in the Southeast. Media coverage from leading print, television and radio outlets will begin in late December to assure travel enthusiasts attend. The expected attendance over two days is 2,800 consumers from the East Tennessee region. Partner co-op and brochure display opportunities are still available. Please contact Pam Kruseck, Consumer Sales Manager, for information on the co-op programs via email at pkruseck@georgia.org.
Atlanta Travel Expo - January 23 - 25, 2009 - The Atlanta Travel Expo will provide Atlantans a unique opportunity to directly interface with destinations, tourism boards and travel packagers from around the world. The Atlanta Travel Expo will also allow Atlanta based tourism professionals an opportunity to gather information about travel destinations. Partner co-op and brochure display opportunities are still available. Please contact Pam Kruseck, Consumer Sales Manager, for information on the co-op programs via email at pkruseck@georgia.org.
Snowbird Extravaganza - at the Lakeland Center in Florida - January 27 - 28, 2009 - They are expecting 30,000 to 35,000 attendees to the 15th Annual Snowbird Extravaganza. 60 percent are Canadian Snowbirds and 40 percent are American Winter Residents. Organizations from the private sector to Tourism Offices, Convention and Visitors Bureaus and other organizations from all over the world have participated and continue to do so. Partner co-op and brochure display opportunities are still available. Please contact Pam Kruseck, Consumer Sales Manager, for information on the co-op programs via email at pkruseck@georgia.org.
Southern Women's Show in Savannah, GA - February 6 - 8, 2009 - The Southern Women's Show attracts more than 28,000 women over a 4-day period. This consumer shows target women with give-a-ways, tips on beauty, cooking, fashion, health & well-being, shopping, travel and much more! Please contact Pam Kruseck, Consumer Sales Manager, for information on the co-op programs via email at pkruseck@georgia.org.
AAA Travel Marketplace - Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts - March 2008 - AAA New England Travel will target 12,000 vacation-seeking leisure travelers and travel agents from Boston, Providence, Worcester and Cape Cod to attend a three day tradeshow with suppliers from various destinations. Information about the show is included in the AAA Club publication, Horizons, which is mailed out to 1.2 million households. Please contact Pam Kruseck, Consumer Sales Manager, for information on the co-op programs via email at pkruseck@georgia.org.

........................................................................................................................................ Press Release: Georgia's Georgia's Performing Arts in the Spotlight
Georgia has a variety of performing arts experiences, including everything from operas to dance companies to dinner theaters. And with the holidays upon us, large and small venues across the state are preparing for special celebratory shows and the kickoff of the 2009 season. Click here for the full press release.
........................................................................................................................................ Press Release: Unique Holiday Finds all Across the State
The holidays are upon us once again, and Georgians are busy preparing for another exciting shopping season. Opportunities abound all across the state for the experienced shopping guru and seasonal giftgiver alike. From bargain hunters to trend setters, art collectors to wine connoisseurs, you are certain to find the perfect gifts for all your loved ones...and yourself! Click here for the full press release.
........................................................................................................................................ Press Release: Warner Robins Selected as Site of New Little League Southeast Region Headquarters
The Little League International Board of Directors unanimously resolved today to select Warner Robins as the site of the new Southeast Region Headquarters. "With back-to-back world champions and a strong passion for Little League, I cannot imagine a better place than Georgia for the Southeast Region Headquarters," said Governor Perdue. "Little League is a great program that I was proud to be a part of during my youth, and we will be honored to host the regional playoffs each year as the Southeast representative to the Little League World Series is determined. Little League is a world-class organization and I am proud to welcome them to Georgia." The Southeast Region Headquarters serves as the administrative center for Little League Baseball and Softball activities in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The annual Southeast Region Championship game (formerly the Southern Region Championship game) has been televised nationally on ESPN or ESPN2 every year since 1997. Click here for full press release.

........................................................................................................................................ Save the Date: 2009 Techno Tourism Conference
The 2009 Techno Tourism Conference will take place April 20 - 21, 2009 at the Classic Center in Athens. The conference will focus on social networking tools, campaigns and demonstrations showcasing applications on a PC. More information will be available soon.
........................................................................................................................................ Save the Date: 2009 Winter Chautauqua
Save the Date for the 2009 Winter Chautauqua conference to be held March 1- 2, 2009 in Dalton. The event is organized and co-sponsored by the Historic High Country and Northeast Georgia Mountains Travel Associations. More information will be available in January.
........................................................................................................................................ Travel Trends: Fewer Workers Tack on Vacations to Business Trips
According to TripInfo.com, fewer business travelers are expected to bring their spouse, kids, golf clubs or sightseeing shoes on future business trips, new studies and booking trends indicate. The down economy means fewer people can afford to tack on vacation time to a trip, and fewer people are willing to risk the negative perceptions that may exist about travel perks, says Peter Yesawich of Ypartnership, an Orlandobased travel research and marketing firm. The economy is expected to speed the decline in dual-purpose trips, he says, but the trend has been falling out of favor for about seven years. Click here for the complete article.

........................................................................................................................................ Share the Peach Byte
To sign-up yourself or someone else up for this monthly newsletter, please email peachbyte@georgia. org.
Feedback Welcome
We look forward to your feedback and comments. Please contact us at peachbyte@georgia.org.
Email Marketing by