Georgia tourism monthly e-newsletter, Feb. 2009

February 2009 Issue
In This Issue:
GDEcD HOSTS CHINESE TRAVEL CHANNEL GDEcD RECEIVES GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES AWARD FOR ADVOCACY GDEcD'S VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER UPDATE GDEcD'S SALES TEAM UPDATE 2009 TECHNO TOURISM CONFERENCE: REGISTRATION OPEN 2009 WINTER CHAUTAUQUA TOURISM CONFERENCE STS MARKETING COLLEGE - REGISTRATION IS OPEN HALL COUNTY'S HOSPITALITY HIGH PROGRAM OFFERS HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCE PRESS RELEASE: COME SEE WHAT'S COOKIN' IN GEORGIA PRESS RELEASE: STATE LAUNCHES EXPLORE GEORGIA PHOTO CONTEST PRESS RELEASE: SPRING INTO BEAUTIFUL WEATHER AT GEORGIA'S FESTIVALS PRESS RELEASE: GEORGIA'S SPRING FLINGS PRESS RELEASE: STATE LAUNCHES GROUND-BREAKING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLATFORM FOR CREATIVE INDUSTRY TRAVEL TRENDS: CROSSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

TRAVEL TRENDS: USA TODAY - TRAVEL INDUSTRY SCRAMBLES TO COPE AS AMERICANS SPEND LESS
........................................................................................................................................ GDEcD HOSTS CHINESE TRAVEL CHANNEL
In an effort to promote Georgia's tourism assets to Chinese visitors, GDEcD hosted the Chinese Travel Channel. GDEcD's Regional Tourism Representatives put together a first class itinerary for the four person crew who arrived in Atlanta on February 10 and departed on February 26.
The crew spent 16 days in Georgia making stops in Newnan, Warm Springs, Columbus, Fitzgerald, Plains, Americus, Alma, Okefenokee Swamp, Savannah, Macon and Atlanta. Thank you to all our tourism partners who hosted the crew and offered them our world-renowned southern hospitality.
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GDEcD's RECEIVES GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES AWARD FOR ADVOCACY
The Tourism Division received the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries Award for Advocacy in 2009. This recognition is a small "thank you" for all that the Department and the Division does to enhance the role of museums as a significant component of the state's economic development, via cultural heritage tourism.
The Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries is a statewide organization dedicated to serving a diverse membership in a way that establishes a responsive network, provides a resource base and promotes professionalism so that Georgia's museum community is strong, effective

and proactive. For more information, please visit www.gamg.org.
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GDEcD's VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER UPDATE
GDEcD's The VICs are offering Partners' Day at all of the centers throughout the state. This gives our travel regions an opportunity to have a day promote their products to Georgia visitors. The Savannah center hosted a "Savannah Day" and the partners were so thrilled that they have decided to host a "Savannah Day" at our Kingsland center. We are encouraging all of the centers to sponsor similar promotions at the center in their region. Visit www.marketgeorgia.org for more information.
The Neighborhood Blitz program will take place once again. Instead of the VIC specialists visiting with individual tourism partners they will attend regional travel association meetings and send mailings. Last year, the VIC specialists visited more that 100 partners with more than 400 promotions at the centers. Visit www.marketgeorgia.org for more information.
.................................................................................................. GDEcD'S SALES TEAM UPDATE:
Group Sales:
Baasen attended Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Meet Different conference in Atlanta February 7-10. 1,600 meeting planners attended the event. GDEcD served as a sponsor for the conference. Thank you to our regional partners who helped us to participate in the opening night event as well as the trade show.
TN Motorcoach Association - Katie Baasen attended the annual marketplace in Pigeon Forge, TN from February 1 - 4. She met with tour operator members during the marketplace.
Katie Baasen attended the Northeast Georgia Regional Travel Association meeting in Toccoa on February 11. Katie presented packaging ideas and strategies to meeting attendees.
Travel South Showcase will take place April 5 - 8 in Kissimmee, Florida. To those of you attending the showcase, GDEcD will be sending out information regarding flower arrangements and ordering information for GA logo shirts.

Group Tour Boot Camp will take place in June (date TBD) in Macon at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. The boot camp will focus on itinerary building.
Motorcoach tracking program with the Visitor Information Centers - the VIC staff is working to gather information from companies/coaches that stop in Georgia at the centers. A monthly listing with information for motorcoach groups who stop at our state VICs is being sent out through the regional tourism representatives. Please note - the listing only includes information of the motorcoaches who are willing to share information and those who stop during operating hours. Thank you to the VIC staff for their efforts on this program.
Consumer Sales:
AAA Travel Marketplace: Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts - March 2009 - 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.
AAA East Tennessee Travel Expo: Pam Kruseck and Beth Grubbs (Gordon County) attended the AAA East Tennessee show in Knoxville and Tri-Cities on January 10 - 11. There were also two brochure co-op participants. Approximately 1,200 consumers attended throughout the two days to collect information to use while planning their upcoming trips. Georgia was a popular destination and/or pass-thru for many in attendance.
Atlanta Travel Expo: Pam Kruseck, Beth Grubbs (Gordon County), Mike Vescio (Ramada Inn Airport), Natasha Colkmire (Dalton CVB) and Lacy Dixon (Valdosta CVB) attended the Atlanta Travel Expo on January 23 - 25. There were also three brochure co-op participants and one Travel Association co-op. 1,500 consumers and 200 Travel Agents were in attendance during the three day event.
Snowbird Extravaganza: Pam Kruseck, Jo Madira (Babyland General) and Beth Grubbs (Gordon County) attended the Snowbird Extravaganza in Lakeland, FL on January 27 - 28, 2009. There were also six brochure co-op participants. Approximately 35,000 Snowbirds attended the two day event to gather travel information. Many of them told us they travel through Georgia at least twice each year and were happy to see us and found what new things they can see or do along the way.

.......................................................................................................................................... 2009 TECHNO TOURISM CONFERENCE: REGISTRATION OPEN
The 2009 Techno Tourism Conference will take place April 20 - 21, 2009 at the Chattahoochee Technical College in Marietta. "Social Media Marketing . . . Affordable, Effective & Essential" is the theme of the conference this year. For more information, visit at www.areg.caes.uga.edu.
........................................................................................................................................ 2009 WINTER CHAUTAUQUA TOURISM CONFERENCE
The 19th Annual Winter Chautauqua conference will be held March 1- 2, 2009 in Dalton. The event is organized and cosponsored by the Historic High Country and Northeast Georgia Mountains Travel Associations. For more information, visit at www.WinterChautauqua.com.
........................................................................................................................................ STS MARKETING COLLEGE - REGISTRATION IS OPEN
STS Marketing College will take place Sunday, July 26 through Friday, July 31, 2009 in Dahlonega. It will be another intensive, fact-filled week of learning, networking and socializing at North Georgia College and State University. For more information, visit www.southeasttourism.org.

.................................................................................................. HALL COUNTY'S HOSPITALITY HIGH PROGRAM OFFERS HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Last fall, students in the Hall County School System began to have access to a new type of classroom. Selected juniors and seniors from across Hall County began participating in a joint educational venture between Hall County School System and Lake Lanier Islands Resort called Hospitality High. Hospitality High is a product of the newest emphasis in career technical education where students learn hands-on skills in the hospitality industry combined with traditional classroom education. Students will attend class one day per week followed by three days of on-the-job instruction as interns at the Lake Lanier Islands Resort. Now in its second semester, Hospitality High has expanded opportunities for students with interns working at the Lake Lanier Conventions & Visitors Bureau and the Quillian Arts Centers in Gainesville. During the Hospitality High internship rotations, students will gain experience and job skills to prepare them for a successful future in post-secondary education as well as career options. By the end of the semester-long program, graduates of Hospitality High will receive a Travel & Tourism and Hospitality & Tourism Internship credits for their efforts. These students will have the skills and knowledge to be viable employees in the fields of hospitality, travel, and tourism. For more information about the program, please contact, Rachael McClain, Hospitality High Instructor, Lanier Career Center, 770-531-2330 or rachael. mcclain@hallco.org.
.................................................................................................. PRESS RELEASE: COME SEE WHAT'S COOKIN' IN GEORGIA
February 20, 2009 - With an abundance of world-class restaurants, it is no surprise that famous chefs call Georgia home. From Iron Chef contestants to Food Network icons, some of the best cooks on earth have been developing eating destinations and cooking schools all across the state. And Georgia's communities provide the perfect backdrop for these culinary successes with an eclectic array of food festivals, events, pick-your-own farms and local produce. Click here for full release.

.......................................................................................................................................... PRESS RELEASE: STATE LAUNCHES EXPLORE GEORGIA PHOTO CONTEST
February 19, 2009 - Take an extra moment to carefully line up your next vacation photo, because it could win you a brand-new global positioning system (GPS). For the first ten months of 2009, the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is sponsoring the Great GPS Giveaway sweepstakes. Every month through October 2009, visitors and residents alike are invited to submit their Georgia vacation photos on www.ExploreGeorgia.org. All submitted photos will also be considered for use state publications and collateral materials, including the state's official 2010 Travel Guide. Click here for full release.
.................................................................................................................. PRESS RELEASE: SPRING INTO BEAUTIFUL WEATHER AT GEORGIA'S FESTIVALS
February 12, 2009 - A hearty mix of festivals stands ready to greet Georgia's visitors this spring. One can find almost anything, including live musical performances, diverse cultural experiences, community celebrations and authentic arts and crafts fairs. The Peach State's comfortable spring weather and beautiful scenery provide the perfect backdrop for springtime fun. Click here for full release.
.......................................................................................................................................... PRESS RELEASE: GEORGIA'S SPRING FLINGS
February 5, 2009 - From beautiful beaches to outdoor adventures, amusement parks to wild rides, Georgia offers an exciting spring break for everyone. With fun, enriching destinations spread throughout the state, visitors can find great opportunities without breaking the bank. Click here for full release.

........................................................................................................................................ PRESS RELEASE: STATE LAUNCHES GROUND-BREAKING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLATFORM FOR CREATIVE INDUSTRY
February 3, 2009 - The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) and the Georgia Tourism Foundation announced the launch of www. GaMadeGaGrownProducts.org, a detailed creative industries database that is the first-ever statewide economic development strategy of its kind. It is the best way to search for Georgia's arts-centric businesses: from handmade jewelry to local festivals, pick-your-own farms to performers. This growing directory will connect buyers and sellers, corporations and corporate suppliers, locals and visitors to Georgia's cultural assets and creative small businesses. Click here for full release.
........................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL TRENDS: BUSINESS TRAVELERS WILL PAY FOR QUALITY HIGH-SPEED INTERNET
A new market research study from Ypartnership, one of the nation's leading marketing agencies specializing in serving travel, leisure and entertainment clients, shows that more than half of business travelers are willing to pay for quality Internet service at the hotels in which they stay. The study is part of an in-depth look at travelers' interest in in-room technology sponsored by iBAHN. Click here to read the complete article.
........................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL TRENDS: CROSSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
Remember the days when technology belonged to adults? Parents would shop for it, buy it, install it, and caution the kids not to break it. Today, children are the technology experts. They are teaching their parents about new technologies and how to use them. They are the digital natives, and they are leaving the rest of us behind. In some ways, technology is the new generation gap. Click here to read the complete article.

.................................................................................................................. TRAVEL TRENDS: USA TODAY - TRAVEL INDUSTRY SCRAMBLES TO COPE AS AMERICANS SPEND LESS
The sinking U.S. economy is forcing many Americans to cut back on or give up a hallowed tradition: the family vacation. A USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds that 58% of people who normally take an annual vacation away from home will shrink their vacation spending this year -- or just not go. Click here to read the complete article.
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