Georgia tourism monthly e-newsletter, Feb. 2008

Georgia.org Peach Byte February 7, 2008
In this issue...
1. GEORGIA LAUNCHES PHASE ONE OF NEW TRAVEL CONSUMER WEBSITE 2. GDECD AWARDS PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTRACT TO GOLINHARRIS 3. GEORGIA MUSIC HALL OF FAME EARNS AWARD FOR OTIS REDDING EXHIBITION 4. BILLBOARD MAGAZINE PICKS COBB ENERGY CENTRE A BEST BET FOR 2008 5. AIRLINE DELAYS IN 2007 WERE SECOND WORST EVER 6. GEORGIA ARCHIVES LAUNCHES NEW PHOTO PROGRAM 7. SAVE THE DATE - 2008 TECHNO TOURISM CONFERENCE 8. GDEcD SALES TEAM UPDATE AND CO-OP OPPORTUNITY 9. UPCOMING EVENT: WINTER CHAUTAUQUA MARCH 10, 2008 10. THE CREEK CLUB AT REYNOLDS PLANTATION NAMED AMONG TOP 10 PRIVATE GOLF COURSES OF 2007 11. FEDERAL ADVISORY PANEL RECOMMENDS LAUNCH OF U.S. TRAVELPROMOTION CAMPAIGN 12. TRAVEL INDUSTRY CALLS FOR CHANGES IN JAN. 31 ROLLOUT OF WHTI 13. AH&LA HIGHLIGHTS "GREEN BEST PRACTICES" FOR HOTELS 14. TRAVEL TREND: HOTEL ROOM RATES EXPECTED TO RISE 15. FUTUREWATCH PREDICTS SOLID 2008 FOR MEETINGS INDUSTRY 16. TRAVEL TREND: HOTELS PLAY UP GOLF ANGLE FOR MEETINGS 17. VSU THEATRE & DANCE TO PRESENT IN TEXAS 18. "USA TODAY" REPORTS TRAVEL OUTLOOK FOR 2008
1. GEORGIA LAUNCHES PHASE ONE OF NEW TRAVEL CONSUMER WEBSITE GDEcD is pleased to announce Phase I of Georgia's new consumer travel website www.exploregeorgia.org is now live. The look and feel of Explore Georgia is a radical improvement from our current travel section on www.georgia.org. The new site is completely consumer focused in layout, design and functionality. Phase I of the site includes a host of new exciting "experiences" ranging from Historic Sites and Must See Attractions to Family Fun and Spring Fairs & Festivals plus much more.
As we invite you to visit Explore Georgia, be advised this is just Phase I of the project, and it is what we call a Beta or soft launch. This phase is very important because it gives search engines a chance to index the site, and us a chance to make sure all our technology works correctly before we drive substantial traffic to the site. While we are pleased with Phase I of the launch, the site is nowhere near completion. Currently the site only features 50 experiences and none of the tourism partner data. The final version of the site will include all partner data and a new user friendly partner administration tool. It will make updating your listings and events easier.
In regards to the "experiences" on Explore Georgia, we know there are hundreds more to add. We need and welcome your input on what experiences you would like to see added. Please e-mail your regional tourism representative with suggestions, content and/or imagery that would create a good experience for Explore Georgia. Any additional feedback or questions regarding Phase I can be directed to Jim Robertson at 404-9624063 or jrobertson@georgia.org. We look forward to your feedback.
As stated, this is only the beginning as we are also busy developing Phase II, which will be the official launch of Explore Georgia. It is scheduled to go live in early April and with

it will come additional features and content. Until then, we'll continue to use http://www.georgia.org/Travel as our main tourism consumer website.
2. GDECD AWARDS PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTRACT TO GOLINHARRIS The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced last month it has contracted with GolinHarris International, Inc., as its public relations agency of record. The group will assist the department's public relations staff in the development and execution of a comprehensive communication and public relations program, in addition to providing strategic communications planning and counsel.
GolinHarris, an international communications agency, will assist GDEcD in developing public relations campaigns and initiatives that support the agency's global commerce, tourism and entertainment divisions. GDEcD will call on GolinHarris to strategically and effectively communicate Georgia's business advantages to global, national, regional and local business communities, in order to help attract jobs and investment to the state.
3. GEORGIA MUSIC HALL OF FAME EARNS AWARD FOR OTIS REDDING EXHIBITION On Jan. 25, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame received the "Museum Exhibition of the Year" Award by the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries (GAMG) for Otis Redding: I've Got Dreams to Remember. The Category 1 Award (over $100,000) recognized the Macon-based museum "for excellence in collaboration and creativity in portraying the visionary spirit of a Georgia native son."
Otis Redding: I've Got Dreams to Remember, commemorating the 40th anniversary of the soul icon's passing, was organized by the Georgia Music Hall of Fame with guest curator Ellen Fleurov, president of Crossroads Traveling Exhibitions of Atlanta, and the Otis Redding Estate. The exhibition drew from Zelma Redding's extensive private collection, the Stax Museum of American Soul in Memphis and photographers and collectors from around the world. Over 175 artifacts including hand-written lyrics, poster, letters, albums and photographs vividly tell the story of Redding's rise to international stardom. Rare performance footage and multi-media kiosks allow visitors to experience Redding's musical evolution as a singer, composer, arranger, producer and performer. For more information, visit www.georgiamusic.org.
4. BILLBOARD MAGAZINE PICKS COBB ENERGY CENTRE A BEST BET FOR 2008 Billboard magazine has chosen Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre as one of the top five rising venues in the 10,000 capacity and under range for 2008. The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, a $145 million, state-of-the-art facility, is located at 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway in northwest Atlanta, inside the Perimeter. Cobb Energy Centre is a premier venue for opera, concerts, Broadway shows, ballet, educational shows, family shows and corporate meetings and events. Additional information about the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre is available at www.cobbenergycentre.com.
5. AIRLINE DELAYS IN 2007 WERE SECOND WORST EVER According the Associated Press, a quarter of domestic flights failed to arrive on time in 2007 -- the industry's second poorest performance on record -- and analysts say it is likely to get worse. More than 26 percent of commercial flights in the U.S. arrived late or were canceled last year as rising passenger demand and an industry preference for smaller planes intensified congestion in the skies and on runways. The air-travel logjam, reported by the Department of Transportation, comes as a growing number of air traffic controllers near retirement age -- a trend the controllers' union says will magnify the problem. The only time passengers had more difficulty getting to their destinations on time was in 2000, when more than 27 percent of flights were tardy or canceled. Back

then, there were 31 percent fewer flights than in 2007, when carriers operated nearly 7.5 million one-way trips. For the whole story on CNN.com, visit http://www.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/02/05/airlines.delays.ap/index.html.
6. GEORGIA ARCHIVES LAUNCHES NEW PHOTO PROGRAM The Georgia Archives has created a way for Georgians to help preserve the history of the state through a program called Virtual Georgia. Anyone with photographs related to Georgia, may nominate pictures to be included in the archives permanent collection. Pictures are nominated by being uploaded to the Virtual Georgia website. The program is slated to last through March 1, 2008. For more information, visit the Virtual Georgia Web page at http://content.sos.state.ga.us/cdm4/vrg.php.
7. SAVE THE DATE - 2008 TECHNO TOURISM CONFERENCE The Techno Tourism Conference is back by popular demand, April 14 and 15 in Athens at the Classic Center. Participants will learn how to implement effective technologies to lure tourists to their destination or attraction; meet the Hospitality Highway Team and experience the varied technologies they now have at their disposal to get people off Georgia 400 and on the back roads; experience two "hands on" classes on the basics of enhanced audio podcasting conducted at the UGA campus and taught by New Media Institute instructors; and join in the 2008 Marketing Intern Fair to hire talented, welltrained UGA Journalism School students capable of creating and enhancing websites, developing marketing proposals and other technology marketing projects. We look forward to seeing you at the 2008 Techno Tourism Conference...Discovering New Technologies to Enhance Tourism Marketing. Stay tuned for more detailed information coming your way . . .
8. GDEcD SALES TEAM UPDATE AND CO-OP OPPORTUNITY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kevin Langston and Katie Baasen attended Receptive Services Association of America Summit in St Petersburg, FL January 9 - 11. GDEcD participated in educational seminars as well as pre-scheduled appointments. Thirty-one major inbound visit USA receptive tour operators and suppliers (lodging companies, transportation companies, destinations, attractions, restaurants, etc.) attended along with 140 suppliers from across the country. These receptive tour operators contract with overseas tour wholesalers to provide tourist services throughout the United States for their groups and FIT travelers from abroad.
Katie Baasen and Maggie Potter attended the American Bus Association Annual Marketplace in Virginia Beach, VA February 1-7. Of the 3,300 attendees there were 42 Georgia partner attendees taking appointments with 301 national group tour operators and domestic receptive operators. GDEcD participated in 48 pre-scheduled appointments during the DMO days as well as participating as a convention sponsor which includes having an information booth on the marketplace floor. This booth highlighted Georgia's culinary tourism assets and we offered peanuts, peach candy and recipes as giveaways to group tour operators.
Katie Baasen will be attending Bank Travel in Grapevine, TX February 14-16. Bank Travel is the nation's leading organization of Bank Loyalty Program Directors. Serving 3,000 banks and financial institutions nationwide with information on building and growing loyalty programs. GDEcD will participate in pre-scheduled appointments as well as educational and networking sessions.

Katie Baasen, Brittney Gray, Lori Hennesy, Jeffrey Tatum, and Stefanie Paupeck will attend the 26th Annual Travel South Showcase in Biloxi, MS March 1-5. GDEcD will participate in a media briefing, operator briefing and facilitate pre-scheduled appointments for 28 Georgia state partners. Tour operators from 32 states, Canada and other international locations will be in attendance. GDEcD will also be participating as a sponsor hosting a booth on the networking floor spotlighting Georgia's culinary tourism featuring peanuts, peach candy, peach tea, recipes and hold prize drawings for aprons and regional cookbooks. Destination information along with itineraries will also be distributed in the booth. Travel South USA is the Official Regional Destination Marketing Organization for the Southern United States, representing the 12 states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
Kevin Langston and Katie Baasen will be attending ITB Berlin March 5-9 in the Discover America Pavilion as part of the Deep South partnership with Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana and Alabama. The Discover America Pavilion is exposed to over 100,000 trade professionals and motivated consumers, as well as some 500 U.S. exhibitor representatives. GDEcD will participate with pre-scheduled appointments along with our German Tourism representative, Wolfgang Streitboerger.
Over the past few months, Pam Kruseck has visited AAA offices in Georgia (Macon, Savannah and Morrow), St. Louis, Massachusetts and New York.
Pam Kruseck will attend the Savannah Southern Women's Show from February 8 10. In 2007, 14,500 women attended the event.The Southern Women's Show target women with give-a-ways, tips on beauty, cooking, fashion, health and well-being, shopping, travel and much more! The Southern Women's Shows will provide GDEcD and its partners the opportunity to promote Georgia as an extraordinary vacation destination.
Pam Kruseck will attend the AAA Travel Marketplace from March 7 - 10 inFoxborough, Massachusetts. AAA Travel will target 12,000 vacation-seeking leisure travelers and travel agents from Boston, Providence, Worcester and Cape Cod. Information about the show is included in the AAA Club publication, Horizons, which is mailed out to 1.2 million households. Please see information about co-op opportunities below.
Co-op Program:
Partner Registration Fee*: $350/4 partner maximum - please provide one item for gift basket drawing.
Brochure Distribution Fee: $450/6 partner maximum - please provide either promotional items or bags for collateral. If you are sending bags please include your brochure. The co-op fee for the brochure distribution allows each partner to send one brochure for display at the show.
Travel Association Registration Fee: $450/1 regional brochure displayed - please provide either promotional items or bags for collateral. If you are sending bags please include your brochure.
*Shipping of materials, lodging, meals and transportation will be the responsibility of each Georgia partner. GDEcD will coordinate registration and booth space.

9. UPCOMING EVENT: WINTER CHAUTAUQUA MARCH 10, 2008 Winter Chautauqua will take place Monday, March 10, 2008 at the Georgia Mountains Center in Gainesville, GA. The event titled "How to Overcome and Outsmart Today's Time Poverty Crisis: Time Management, Technology and Stress Relief" will offer the opportunities to learn how to finish work six times faster, web development and tools, how to get organized so you can think, how to build a winning team, and workplace detox (stress relief). Featured lunch guest will be GDEcD's Charlie Gatlin, Deputy Commissioner. Make plans to come in on Sunday, March 9, for the Culinary Tourism Bash How to Attract "Foodies" to Your Destination Accommodations available at the Best Western Lanier Centre for $89 Feb 25 deadline to get this rate.
Conference fees: Winter Chautauqua, March 10 - $50 (if pre-registered by Feb. 25), $60 (Feb 26 Mar 3) *Note: There will be no on-site registration. Culinary Tourism Bash, March 9 - $20
For more information, call 800-984-1543.
10. THE CREEK CLUB AT REYNOLDS PLANTATION NAMED AMONG TOP 10 PRIVATE GOLF COURSES OF 2007 The Creek Club at Reynolds Plantation has been named to the list of Top 10 New Private Courses in the United States by GOLF MAGAZINE. The Jim Engh design, a par 72 that measures 7,079 yards, was officially added as the fifth course of the Reynolds Plantation collection of award-winning golf layouts on June 1, 2007. The Creek Club is the first private facility at Reynolds Plantation, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2008. The publication distinguished The Creek Club as "the most unique course in the Southeastern United States." The private course list is part of the magazine's annual rankings, with a special on-line presentation at www.golf.com.
11. FEDERAL ADVISORY PANEL RECOMMENDS LAUNCH OF U.S. TRAVELPROMOTION CAMPAIGN The Travel Industry Association (TIA) welcomed the recommendation issued by leading business and academic experts that the United States should launch an international promotion campaign to better communicate U.S. travel policies and attract more international visitors. The Secure Borders and Open Doors Advisory Committee (SBODAC), created by the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security in 2006, identified poor communication as one of the leading causes of the 17 percent decline in overseas visitation to the United States since September 11, 2001. "The Travel Promotion Act," currently under consideration in the House of Representatives (H.R. 3232) and Senate (S.1661), is consistent with the SBODAC recommendation. Under this legislation, travel promotion is funded by private sector contributions and a maximum $10 fee on travelers from countries that are not required to pay $130 for a United States visa (i.e., countries enrolled in the Visa Waiver Program). At no cost to the American taxpayers, Oxford Economics estimates that a travel promotion campaign would yield millions of new visitors, $8 billion per year in new visitor spending and $850 million in new federal tax revenue. To find out more, visit http://www.tia.org/pressmedia/pressrec.asp?Item=865.
12. TRAVEL INDUSTRY CALLS FOR CHANGES IN JAN. 31 ROLLOUT OF WHTI TIA and the Travel Business Travel Roundtable (TBR) last week called on the Department of Homeland Security to modify its proposed interim border-crossing rules scheduled to go into effect Jan. 31. Regarding the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).TIA and TBR said the travel community strongly supports ending the acceptance of oral declarations of citizenship to enhance security at the border. However, per "Travel Advance," the groups said that requiring travelers to carry a birth certificate is

onerous in the absence of robust, advanced outreach to travelers. "To limit confusion and the threat to commerce, DHS should enhance security by requiring a governmentissued photo ID, in most cases a driver's license, starting Jan. 31, 2008," TIA and TBR said. The present plan will require U.S. citizens to show both an identification card, such as a driver's license, and proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, as of Jan. 31. TIA and TBR noted that the State Department plans to begin issuing new Passport Cards this spring. For the latest news regarding WHTI, click here: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&tab=wn&ned=us&q=Western+Hemisphere+Travel +Initiative+%28WHTI%29&btnG=Search+News
13. AH&LA HIGHLIGHTS "GREEN BEST PRACTICES" FOR HOTELS The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) has compiled a "Green Best Practices" list for hoteliers taking steps to cost-effectively "green" their own operations. Available on AH&LA's Web site, the section features a growing list of actionable strategies, case studies and timely "green" news from AH&LA's members, which can help achieve a more eco-friendly hospitality community. With a newly-established Green Task Force currently developing a comprehensive sustainability initiative for both existing properties and new construction projects, the greening of the industry is one of AH&LA's top priorities for 2008. To find out more, visit http://www.ahla.com/Environmentally_Friendly_Practices.asp.
14. TRAVEL TREND: HOTEL ROOM RATES EXPECTED TO RISE As if the sagging dollar and soaring oil costs weren't enough to dent travel budgets, hotel room rates are expected to surge in the coming year. From New York to Asia, and just about every desirable destination in between, the prices of rooms especially at hotels and resorts favored by luxury and business travelers are expected to rise significantly, sometimes in the double digits, analysts say. A shortage of rooms is to blame. To find out more, visit http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/20/travel/20headsup.html?ref=travel.
15. FUTUREWATCH PREDICTS SOLID 2008 FOR MEETINGS INDUSTRY Meeting professionals expect healthy attendance and budget increases in the coming year, according to the annual market trends study FutureWatch 2008. The sixth-annual international study, conducted by Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and sponsored by American Express, surveyed 1,643 meeting and event professionals and suppliers from around the world, marking the largest response ever to a FutureWatch study. Overall, meeting and event professionals expect a 19 percent spike in attendance in 2008, according to an organization release. The finding was matched by a prediction that interest in webcasts and other compliments to live meetings will also rise, but clearly will not displace the strategic value of face-to-face meetings. To find out more, visit http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003 697499.
16. TRAVEL TREND: HOTELS PLAY UP GOLF ANGLE FOR MEETINGS The golf course may trail only the boardroom and the corner office as a place where business gets done. Recognizing that, hotel marketing executives are pushing as perhaps never before the convenience of nearby golf courses to impress the planners who book meetings and conventions. A growing number of meeting planners are adding golf events to their itineraries. According to a 2006 survey of corporate meeting planners by trade publication "Successful Meetings," golf follows only the business portion of the meeting and free time in importance. The survey says golf is more important than providing attendees a beach, a spa, shopping, cultural attractions or other outdoor sports. Also included in the article is the Top 20 U.S. Resort for business meetings and golf compiled by "Golf Digest." Golf Digest magazine ranks Georgia's Sea Island as the best U.S. resort for business meetings and golf. Sea Island has three golf courses and

17,000 square feet of meeting space. To find out more, visit http://www.usatoday.com/travel/hotels/2008-01-14-golf-meetings_N.htm.
17. VSU THEATRE & DANCE TO PRESENT IN TEXAS Valdosta State University Theatre & Dance Area is proud to announce that its world premiere production of Holler Me Home by VSU alumna and Emmy nominee Debra Fordham premiering February 14, 2008 and running through February 20,2008, has won a performance opportunity at the Out of the Loop Festival in Addison, Texas in March. Centered on a family living in the Okefenokee Swamp in 1930, Holler Me Home offers a glimpse into a world vastly different from contemporary society. Amid the lyrical sounds and mysterious mists of the swamp, a stranger arrives, challenging the Trowell family's way of life. In the ensuing clash of traditional and modern lifestyles, characters must reevaluate who they are and what they believe as they struggle to find their place in this world. The Out of the Loop Festival provides opportunities for existing and emerging theatre, dance and music companies and artists to present work that may vary in form and presentation from their typical content. Regional and Dallas-based artists in theatre, dance, music, comedy, puppetry, and poetry will be presented side by side throughout the festival.
18. "USA TODAY" REPORTS TRAVEL OUTLOOK FOR 2008 From hotels to cruising, adventure travel to destinations, USA TODAY asks travel industry insiders to predict the hottest trends for the new year. Here's what in the air and on land and sea for intrepid travelers. The "greening" of the hotel industry, no break in hotel rates , "lifestyle" lodgings and "gizmos and gadgets" in rooms are among the expected hotel trends. To find out more, including trends for other travel areas, visit http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2008-01-10-travel-trends_N.htm.
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