Georgia tourism monthly e-newsletter, Dec. 2009

December 2009 Issue
In This Issue:
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER KEVIN LANGSTON'S YEAR-END WRAP UP GDEcD's BRITTNEY GRAY AWARDED COBB CVB'S HOSPITALITY HERO AWARD GDEcD's KATIE BAASEN AWARDED GWINNETT CVB'S FRIENDS OF TOURISM AWARD GEORGIA TOURISM FOUNDATION GETS NEW DIRECTOR TOURISM DIVISION PARTICIPATES IN 9TH ANNUAL GEORGIA COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES DISCOVERY DAY UNIQUE NORTHEAST GEORGIA FOLK POTTERY MUSEUM WINS SECOND PRESTIGIOUS DESIGN AWARD AND FIRST INTERNATIONAL WORLD ARCHITECTURE CITATION GEORGIA ORGANIZATION RECEIVES NATIONAL TRUST GRANT ATLANTA'S OAKLAND CEMETERY RECEIVES SAVE AMERICA'S TREASURES GRANT AGRITOURISM WORKSHOP - SPRING 2010 STATEWIDE COMMUNITY LANDMARKS CONFERENCE GDEcD SALES TEAM UPDATE 2010 GEORGIA ECONOIMC OUTLOOK FORECAST IMPROVED USER EXPERIENCE ON USTRAVEL.ORG WWW.POWEROFTRAVEL.ORG AMERICAN BUS ASSOCIATION: MAKE YOUR CVB STAND FOR "COMMUNITIES VALUE BUSES" AAA'S EXCLUSIVE LIST OF FIVE DIAMOND AWARD WINNERS TRAVEL TRENDS: U.S. TRAVEL OUTLOOK EXAMINES CURRENT INDUSTRY TRENDS

TRAVEL TRENDS: AAA PROJECTS YEAR-END HOLIDAYS WILL SEE A 3.8 PERCENT INCREASE IN TRAVELERS TRAVEL TRENDS: IN RECESSION, TRAVELERS FIND "FREE" HOTEL BREAKFAST ESPECIALLY APPEALING TRAVEL TRENDS: AMERICAN EXPRESS REPORTS TRAVELERS STILL WAIT FOR LAST-MINUTE DEALS TRAVEL TRENDS: RELIGIOUS AND PILGRIMAGE TOURISM TRAVEL TRENDS: LANDMARK STUDY REVEALS ROI OF BUSINESS TRAVEL TRAVEL TRENDS: INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL UPDATE TRAVEL TRENDS: PKF PROJECTS ACCELERATED RECOVERY FOR US HOTEL INDUSTRY TRAVEL NEWS: WE CAN CREATE JOBS, TOO, BIG TOURISM SAYS TRAVEL NEWS: SOME REDISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF BUSINESS TRAVEL TRAVEL NEWS: FEWER IN SOUTH SET FOR HOLIDAY TRAVEL TRAVEL NEWS: MANY AMERICANS SCALE BACK SEASONAL TRIPS OR STAY PUT IN THE NEWS: TOURISM COMMISSIONER PUTS EMPHASIS ON LOCALS IN THE NEWS: AMERICA'S BEST PLACE TO RAISE YOUR KIDS IN THE NEWS: ATLANTA OLYMPIC PARK AREA: 3 NEW MUSEUMS, 5 YEARS IN THE NEWS: CITY-DELTA FINALIZE AIRPORT LEASE IN THE NEWS: HARTSFIELD-JACKSON OPENS RENTAL CAR CENTER
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TOURISM DEPUTY COMMISSIONER KEVIN LANGSTON'S WRAP-UP
Hello to all!
2009 has been a challenging year for our industry. Fortunately, I believe we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Know that we are working harder than ever to ensure that Georgia's tourism industry continues to succeed in 2010. The tourism division is adjusting its strategy allowing us to better help you thrive in this economy. I also wanted to take this opportunity to share a few changes within the state's tourism division with our Peach Byte readers. As you know, I took over the role of Deputy Commissioner on December 1 upon the retirement of Charlie Gatlin. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting acclimated in my new role and will continue to do so in 2010. The department recently named Fred Huff the director of the Georgia Tourism Foundation. The Foundation is a public-private

entity and non-profit organization that leverages investments and forges partnerships to strengthen the state's tourism marketing. The previous director of the Foundation, Gilda Watters, retired in August after 30 years of government service.
The Tourism division will now work closely with Greg Torre, the division director of the Marketing and Communications division. Greg's responsibilities include the strategies, execution and results of GDEcD's marketing and communications initiatives, including the Global Georgia international marketing program, the Georgia Dream Pass, Georgia.org and ExploreGeorgia.org.
We are also hiring a Director of International Sales. This position will oversee the domestic group and consumer sales programs and implement the international sales program which includes contractors in the UK and Germany. If you are interested please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@georgia.org. This position is open until filled.
As we enter the new year, please know that we are committed to listening to you, our industry partners. I hope you are enjoying and benefiting from the monthly Peach Byte, which is an excellent communications tool for us to get news out to you, but we also need communication the other way -- back from you. Please do not hesitate to let us know whenever you see an opportunity that you believe may help us better achieve our collective mission of growing Georgia tourism. Together, I believe we can make a prosperous 2010 and I look forward to working with each of you to do just that.
Happy New Year!
Thank you, Kevin
........................................................................................................................................................................ GDEcD's BRITTNEY GRAY AWARDED COBB CVB'S HOSPITALITY HERO AWARD
The Hospitality Hero Award is given to an employee of a tourism business or organization who went "above and beyond" the call of duty to provide excellent service "or" who has consistently displayed a positive and professional attitude in the workplace.

.................................................................................................................... GDEcD's KATIE BAASEN AWARDED GWINNETT CVB'S FRIENDS OF TOURISM AWARD
The Friends of Tourism Award was given to four hoteliers or industry professionals who are strong partners in selling and marketing Gwinnett County as a meeting, leisure or sports destination and who consistently go above and beyond. Courtney Lawson, Community & Public Affairs Manager, Gwinnett Braves; Venita Vaswani, Sales Manager, Atlanta Marriott Gwinnett Place and Danielle Wunn, Marketing Coordinator, Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center were also recognized with the Friends of Tourism Award at the 9th Annual Tourism Awards and Holiday Luncheon.
.................................................................................................................... GEORGIA TOURISM FOUNDATION GETS NEW DIRECTOR
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) named Fred Huff the director of the Georgia Tourism Foundation, a public-private entity and non-profit organization that leverages investments and forges partnerships to strengthen the state's tourism marketing. The foundation works to bring corporate citizens to the table with tourism industry members, aligning their goals to promote tourism across the state of Georgia. For the complete press release, click here.
........................................................................................................................................... TOURISM DIVISION PARTICIPATES IN 9TH ANNUAL GEORGIA COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES DISCOVERY DAY
On December 16, 2009, the Tourism Division took part in the 9th Annual Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities Discovery Day. The theme was "Making Accessible Travel & Tourism a Reality in Georgia." Americans with disabilities spend an average of $14 billion annually. Each year, visitors spend an estimated $25 billion in Georgia. Georgia has an opportunity to be a leader in disability advocacy in this industry. The half-day executive seminar focused on accessible travel, tourism, transportation and technology, ensuring that all destinations are available to anyone, regardless of ability. For more information, click here.

................................................................................................................................................................... UNIQUE NORTHEAST GEORGIA FOLK POTTERY MUSEUM WINS SECOND PRESTIGIOUS DESIGN AWARD AND FIRST INTERNATIONAL WORLD ARCHITECTURE CITATION
The Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia in the beautiful Sautee-Nacoochee valley in White County has been awarded a prestigious South Atlantic Region American Institute of Architects Merit Award for Excellence in Architecture. This is the second national design award given this unique museum---it also took one of only two Honor Awards given in 2008 by AIA-Georgia. The Honor Award is the highest design recognition given by the American Institute of Architects and acknowledges recently completed "architecture of distinction". In its fifth cycle of recognition of outstanding architectural design, worldwide, the museum has been cited by the World Architecture Community, a consortium comprised of internationally recognized architects, leaders and educators from all over the world and the US. For more information, click here.
.................................................................................................................... GEORGIA ORGANIZATION RECEIVES NATIONAL TRUST GRANT
On November 16 the National Trust for Historic Preservation announced the recipients of nine Historic Rehabilitation Grants. Among the recipients is Affordable Housing Solutions, Inc., a Georgia non-profit. The organization was granted $100,000 to rehabilitate the National Register-listed Empire Building in Columbus into 23 one-bedroom apartments. For more information, click here.
.................................................................................................................................................................. ATLANTA'S OAKLAND CEMETERY RECEIVES SAVE AMERICA'S TREASURES GRANT
Atlanta's Oakland Cemetery has received a $200,000 Save America's Treasures grant, the only recipient in Georgia for 2009. The grant will fund the restoration and preservation of 55 intricate mausolea that have deteriorated due to the passage of time or were damaged by the 2008 tornado. Founded in 1850 during the "garden cemetery" movement, the cemetery was one of Atlanta's first green spaces. Presently encompassing 48 acres and an estimated 70,000 graves, it contains many important examples of sculpture and architecture. The cemetery was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. For more information about Oakland Cemetery, click here.

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AGRITOURISM WORKSHOPS - SPRING 2010
The Agritourism Workshops are a joint effort between GDEcD, the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, Department of Agriculture and others. Learn about the business side of agriTourism, taxes, zoning & conservation easement, how to build an effective, affordable website for your business (you will leave with your own website!), social media marketing, insurance and risk management, and more. The final southern workshop/conference will be held in the Spring 2010, dates to be determined. For more information and registration information, click here.
........................................................................................................................................................................ STATEWIDE COMMUNITY LANDMARKS CONFERENCE
The Statewide Community Landmarks Conference will take place at the Roosevelt Warm Springs Rehabilitation Institute on March 25-26, 2010. Co-sponsored by the Historic Preservation Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Georgia Department of Economic Development; Georgia Department of Community Affairs; Georgia Council for the Humanities; Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation; Three Rivers Regional Commission and The Fox Theatre Institute. For more information contact, Conference Coordinator Carole Moore at 404-463-8434 or carole.moore@dnr.state.ga.us.
.................................................................................................................... GDEcD SALES TEAM UPDATE
GROUP SALES:
Group Tour Boot Camp took place December 3-4, 2009 at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Macon. Thank you to all who attended and participated. The next Boot Camp will take place in June 2010 - details will be available shortly. Please contact Katie Baasen via email for more information or to participate, kbaasen@georgia.org.
Katie Baasen attended the Georgia Motorcoach Association Operators (GMOA) Roadeo in Norcross on December 14. GMOA will make this an annual event for the tour operator bus drivers to show their skills and get tested. Thirty-six drivers participated in the event which included a written test and a driving "obstacle course". Please contact Katie Baasen via email for more information kbaasen@georgia.org.
GDEcD is organizing a Family Reunion Seminar for state tourism partners to take place January 7-8, 2010 at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Macon. This seminar will cover the family reunion market including characteristics, trends, and how you can break into this growing segment. Registration information will be going out through your Regional Tourism Representative. If you have any questions, please contact Katie Baasen via email at kbaasen@georgia.org.
American Bus Association - National Harbor, MD - January 15 - 19, 2010 The Tourism division will participate and sponor the American Bus Association (ABA) annual marketplace. This

sponsorship provides the tourism division with a booth on the marketplace floor in an effort to maximize our exposure in this market.
Co-ops are available for state partners:
Kudzu Sponsorship - NTA: $500 and ABA: $350 Peach Sponsorship - NTA: $750 and ABA: $650
Please contact Katie Baasen via email for more information or to participate, kbaasen@georgia.org.
Georgia Peach Greet - GDEcD has started a new program for tour companies involving the state's 11 Visitor Information Centers. VICs are the perfect place for a pit stop for tour groups, the state's tourism division is encouraging the group leader to plan a stop with the group, so we can showcase our southern hospitality and say "Hey Y'all". All we need is 48 hours advance notice to prepare special Georgia favors. The tourism division is offering it as an added amenity for a tour operator planning a tour to or through Georgia. This program is in conjunction with the motorcoach tracking the VIC staff is currently working on. Thank you to the VIC staff for their efforts on this program. Please contact Katie Baasen at kbaasen@georgia.org for more information.
GDEcD has launched an e-newsletter targeted towards tour operators. "FYI from the Peach State" will be sent quarterly to tour operators around the country. If you have any updates or special offers for the tour market and would like to have the information included in the e-newsletter, please contact Katie Baasen at kbaasen@georgia.org. The next newsletter is scheduled to go out in January.
CONSUMER SALES:
Pam Kruseck attended the AAA Superbowl of Knowledge in Charlotte, NC on November 21, 2009. 440 AAA Team Members from the Carolinas attended the tradeshow. The Columbia County CVB participated in the brochure co-op.
Snowbird Extravaganza - Lakeland Center in Florida - January 26 - 27, 2010 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 - Savannah, GA - February 5 - 7, 2010 The Southern Women's Show attracts more than 12,000 women over a 3-day period. This consumer show targets women with give-a-ways and tips on beauty, cooking, fashion, health & well-being, shopping, travel and much more! Consumer Sales Manager Pam Kruseck (pkruseck@georgia.org) will attend.
Southern Women's Show - Nashville, TN - April 14 - 17, 2010 The Southern Women's Show attracts more than 12,000 women over a 3-day period. This consumer show targets women

with give-a-ways and tips on beauty, cooking, fashion, health & well-being, shopping, travel and much more! Consumer Sales Manager Pam Kruseck (pkruseck@georgia.org) will attend.
**Show schedule subject to change**
............................................................................................................................................ 2010 GEORGIA ECONOMIC OUTLOOK FORECAST
On December 15, the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business hosted the 27th Annual Georgia Economic Outlook Forecast. In 2010, the state's gross domestic product is forecast to begin expanding again, with a projected growth rate of 1.7 percent. It would represent the first year-over-year expansion of the state's economy since 2007. For more information, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ IMPROVED USER EXPERIENCE ON USTRAVEL.ORG
USTravel.org was designed especially with members in mind. Enhancements include: A dynamic home page organized with top-line travel industry news; The use of rich media so we may easily share videos of U.S. Travel events, pictures, announcements and news footage; Easy access to travel research intelligence and analysis; and RSS that delivers information direct to those who choose to subscribe. To view the new site, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ WWW.POWEROFTRAVEL.ORG
An interactive website with facts and figures on the economic impact of travel. PowerofTravel.org was created by the U.S. Travel Association for the good of the American travel community. This website provides research, grass roots mobilization, and media resources that show the importance of travel and tourism to the economy and people of the United States. To see Georgia's Travel Powers Data Center, click here.

............................................................................................................................................ AMERICAN BUS ASSOCIATION: MAKE YOUR CVB STAND FOR "COMMUNITIES VALUE BUSES"
With the uncertain economy still affecting leisure travel and group bus tours, CVBs still face challenges luring bus tours to their attractions, festivals and fairs, as well as everything else North American destination cities, regions and parks have to offer. But every challenge is also an opportunity. For CVBs, that means marketing creatively to entice bus tour groups to visit their respective destinations. ABA is always seeking ways to offer new and innovative ways to help your business. Each group that visits and stays over for just one night will, as research shows, infuse the local economy with $11,660 in tourism dollars spent on hotels, restaurants, attractions, shopping, and various sundries. ABA has packaged a list of marketing tools for CVBs that can be implemented with ease. To view the list of suggested marketing tools, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ AAA'S EXCLUSIVE LIST OF FIVE DIAMOND AWARD WINNERS
AAA recently announced the 2010 AAA/CAA Five Diamond Award winners. Sixteen lodgings have been added for a total of 113 hotels and 52 restaurants that have achieved Five Diamond status, the travel authority's highest rating for hotels and restaurants. Areas with the most Five Diamond lodgings: California (20); Florida (13); Nevada (8); New York (7); Quintana Roo, Mexico (7); and Georgia (6). For the complete AAA List of Five Diamond Award Winners, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL TRENDS: U.S. TRAVEL OUTLOOK EXAMINES CURRENT INDUSTRY TRENDS
Key travel indicators are showing signs of improvement, according to the most recent U.S. Travel Outlook. While there is still room for improvement, travel demand is increasing and employment is showing gains. The U.S. Travel Association projects an additional 90,000 travel industry jobs in 2010, the result of slight gains in travel and tourism. For more information from the December edition of the U.S. Travel Outlook, click here.

............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL TRENDS: AAA PROJECTS YEAR-END HOLIDAYS WILL SEE A 3.8 PERCENT INCREASE IN TRAVELERS
AAA is projecting 87.7 million Americans will be traveling 50 miles or more away from home during the year-end holidays. This is a 3.8 percent increase from the 84.5 million Americans who traveled during the same Christmas/New Year period one year ago, and is the largest projected increase for any major holiday this year. The number of travelers by automobile is expected to be 77.7 million in 2009 compared to 74.4 million last year; an increase of 4.4 percent. The number of travelers by air is expected be 4.2 million compared to 4.1 million in 2008; an increase of 2.9 percent. The number of those traveling by "other" means, including, trains, watercraft, buses and multiple-modes of transportation, is expected to be 5.8 million compared to 6.0 million last year, AAA said. Last year, the total number of travelers during the yearend holidays was 84.5 million; a decline of 4.7 percent from 2007. To view complete AAA/IHS Global Insight 2009 year-end holidays forecast, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL TRENDS: IN RECESSION, TRAVELERS FIND "FREE" HOTEL BREAKFAST ESPECIALLY APPEALING
Have many recently switched from full-service hotels where they had to buy their breakfast to one that includes breakfast in the rate? A new research report suggests that some of them did. The number of meals eaten inside a hotel restaurant, which accounts for roughly a third of the meals tracked, sank 14 percent for the year ending September 2009 vs. the prior 12-month period, according to a new study from food service industry tracker NPD Group. In contrast, the "free" meal or snack category - 28 percent of the meals or snacks during the 12month period - increased by 1 percent. To find out more, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL TRENDS: AMERICAN EXPRESS REPORTS TRAVELERS STILL WAIT FOR LAST-MINUTE DEALS
A survey of more than 460 American Express travel specialists, conducted in early November, showed that travelers are continuing to adjust to the challenging environment with creativity and resourcefulness when it comes to vacation planning. According to the specialists surveyed, 79 percent of customers are waiting until the last minute to book travel in an attempt to secure better deals. According to 72 percent of the travel specialists surveyed, travelers are looking to cut costs by selecting alternate, less expensive destinations. Seventyseven percent said that more travelers are staying in the U.S. or taking "short-flight" vacations. Seventy-one percent said travelers are taking shorter holiday vacations. To find out more, click here.

............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL TRENDS: RELIGIOUS AND PILGRIMAGE TOURISM
According to Tourism & More, Religious tourism is big business. It is estimated that in the US alone some 25% of the traveling public is interested in faith-based tourism. When one adds to this the number of people who travel for faith-based conventions, and faith based activities such as weddings, bar mitzvahs or funerals, the number become extraordinarily large. World Religious Travel is one of the fastest growing segments in travel today. Religious travel is estimated at a value of US$18 billion and 300 million travelers strong. Faith based tourism, although often dominated by group or affinity groups is also gaining ground among the individual leisure travel. For more information, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL TRENDS: LANDMARK STUDY REVEALS ROI OF BUSINESS TRAVEL
New research conducted by global research firm Oxford Economics establishes the first clear link between business travel and business growth as American businesses are planning their 2010 budgets and federal policymakers are looking to stimulate the American economy. For every dollar invested in business travel, businesses experience an average $12.50 in increased revenue and $3.80 in new profits, according to the study. For more information, visit www.destinationtravel.org.
............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL TRENDS: INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL UPDATE
Released on December 10, the U.S. Department of Commerce announces 4.1 million international visitors traveled to the United States in September 2009, a decrease of one percent compared to September 2008. Total visitation in the first nine months of 2009 was down eight percent compared to the same period in 2008. International visitors spent $10.3 billion during the month, 14 percent less than visitors spent in September 2008. September 2009 marks the eleventh straight month of decreases in international visitor spending. In the first nine months of 2009, visitors spent $90.6 billion, down 16 percent from the same period in 2008. For the complete International Travel update, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL TRENDS: PKF PROJECTS ACCELERATED RECOVERY FOR US HOTEL INDUSTRY
PKF Hospitality Research (PKF-HR) recently announced that, according to its December 2009 edition of Hotel Horizons, the pace of recovery of the U.S. lodging industry has accelerated from previous expectations. Improving industry data for such key indicators as occupancy, RevPAR, and demand suggest that the recovery will arrive a full quarter earlier than the firm expected in September 2009. These improvements are reflected in the firm's updated forecasts for 2009 and 2010 in its just published December issue of Hotel Horizons.

............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL NEWS: WE CAN CREATE JOBS, TOO, BIG TOURISM SAYS
When it comes to the debate on jobs, there's always plenty of talk about entrepreneurship, small business, biotechnology and clean energy. "If you look back decades, I don't think travel or tourism has ever been part of that conversation," said Geoff Freeman, senior vice president of the industry's lobbying group, the U.S. Travel Association. "There isn't a full appreciation for the 7.7 million jobs in the travel industry." For the complete Orlando Sentinel article, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL NEWS: SOME REDISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF BUSINESS TRAVEL
When the economy collapsed last fall, many companies had to make some quick decisions about travel, typically one of the first areas they trim when finances are tight. Should they cut back as most of their competitors were, continue business as usual or spend even more to get a leg up? Most companies - about 85 percent - decreased travel spending, according to the National Business Travel Association, a trade group. For the complete New York Times article, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL NEWS: FEWER IN SOUTH SET FOR HOLIDAY TRAVEL
Across the country, 87.7 million Americans - 3.8 percent more than last year - are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home for the Christmas holiday, AAA said. But in Florida and Georgia, 4.7 percent fewer people are expected to travel this year than in 2008, the AAA said. "We know in the South travel plans are running counter to the national numbers," said Gregg Laskoski, spokesman for AAA Auto Club South.
Many people surveyed in an AAA poll before Thanksgiving said they were traveling for that holiday, and probably wouldn't go anywhere for Christmas, Laskoski said. For the complete Athens Banner Herald article, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL NEWS: MANY AMERICANS SCALE BACK SEASONAL TRIPS OR STAY PUT
More than half of U.S. residents who wanted to travel during the holidays have significantly cut back their plans or canceled trips altogether because of the fragile economy, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll shows. A survey of 1,025 people, conducted Dec. 11 through Sunday, found that 35% said they had intended to travel more than 100 miles from home during the holidays. However, about one-third of the would-be travelers said the economy forced them to abandon plans, leaving only 23% who will actually take trips. And more than a third of those said they were cutting back "significantly" on the cost of their trip. For the complete USA Today article, click here.

............................................................................................................................................ IN THE NEWS: TOURISM COMMISSIONER PUTS EMPHASIS ON LOCALS
Kevin Langston wants Georgians to see a little more of Georgia. Langston, 48, became deputy commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development's tourism division on Dec. 1 and is in charge of promoting and marketing the state's tourism industry. For the complete Atlanta Business Chronicle article, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ IN THE NEWS: AMERICA'S BEST PLACE TO RAISE YOUR KIDS
BusinessWeek.com ranks Warner Robins as the third best place to raise kids in the USA. For the complete BusinessWeek. com article, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ IN THE NEWS: ATLANTA OLYMPIC PARK AREA: 3 NEW MUSEUMS, 5 YEARS
New York City has Times Square. New Orleans is known for the French Quarter, and in San Francisco, cameratoting tourists flock to Fisherman's Wharf. Now, city leaders in Atlanta hope to add Centennial Olympic Park - and the growing roster of museums dotting it - to the list of popular urban tourism corridors. For the complete Atlanta Journal Constitution article, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ IN THE NEWS: CITY-DELTA FINALIZE AIRPORT LEASE
City of Atlanta officials announced on Monday, December 21 the signing of a long-awaited, seven-year extension of Delta Air Lines Inc.'s lease at the world's busiest airport. The deal puts to rest negotiations that have shrouded in doubt the fate of the $1.3 billion international terminal project, and ensures Delta keeps its primary hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. For the complete Atlanta Business Chronicle article, click here.

............................................................................................................................................ IN THE NEWS: HARTSFIELD-JACKSON OPENS RENTAL CAR CENTER
Area politicians and officials with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport cut the ceremonial ribbon, Monday, December 7, on the 67.5-acre airport Rental Car Center. A total of 12 rental car companies will be housed in the 24-hour facility, which will serve as a one-stop shop for passengers looking to pick up or drop off rented vehicles. For the complete Clayton Daily News article, click here.
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