Georgia tourism monthly e-newsletter, Jan. 2011

January 2011 Issue
In This Issue:
CHRIS CUMMISKEY NAMED COMMISSIONER OF THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PRESS RELEASE: GEORGIA'S TOP FIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STORIES OF 2010 KEVIN LANGSTON NAMED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD FOR TRAVEL SOUTH USA HISTORICAL MARKER DEDICATION FOR GEORGIA'S SECESSION CONVENTION ON JANUARY 19 IN MILLEDGEVILLE REMINDER: 2011 TOURISM DAY AT THE CAPITOL TRAVEL SOUTH SHOWCASE 2011 PRESS RELEASE: TOURISM CARES AND TRAVEL SOUTH USA PLAN TO GIVE BACK TO THE GEORGIA AQUARIUM GDEcD SALES TEAM UPDATE ALBANY CVB WINNER OF GPP PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST NATIONAL INFANTRY MUSEUM AND SOLDIER CENTER WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD LISA ANDERS PROMOTED TO DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE GWINNETT CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU SFEA ANNUAL CONFERENCE SET FOR FEBRUARY 21-23, 2011 IN STONE MOUNTAIN GEORGIA NEWS: ATLANTA NAMED A 2011 TOP DESTINATION BY FROMMER'S GEORGIA NEWS: GEORGIA'S SEA ISLANDS NAMED BEST SHORE BY NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER GEORGIA NEWS: SMARTERTRAVEL.COM NAMES ATLANTA TOP TRAVEL DESTINATIONS FOR 2011 GEORGIA NEWS: SAVANNAH NAMED TOP 10 PLACES TO GO IN THE US IN 2011 BY LONELY PLANET STAFF INDUSTRY NEWS: INTERNATIONAL VISITATION UP 11 PERCENT FOR FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 2010 INDUSTRY NEWS: HIGHER PRICES PREDICTED AT GAS PUMP INDUSTRY NEWS: USA TODAY PARTNERS WITH FOURSQUARE FOR TRAVEL TIPS

........................................................................................................................................................................ CHRIS CUMMISKEY NAMED COMMISSIONER OF THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
On November 29, Governor Nathan Deal named Chris Cummiskey as his choice for commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Chris Cummiskey joined the University of Georgia as the Director of State Relations in 2008. In this role he represents the university in matters with state government offices and is the primary liaison with state officials. Prior to joining the university, Cummiskey served as the chief of staff for Georgia House Speaker Glenn Richardson. In that position, he oversaw House research and communications staff as well as all administrative staff. Previously, he was the state director for U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson for three years. As the state director, he worked with the Georgia General Assembly, the governor's office, local officials and Georgia businesses on matters relating to the federal government. After graduating from UGA, Cummiskey worked for eight years with energy companies in Georgia, California and Texas managing their energy trading desks. http://georgia.org/About/Bios/Pages/default.aspx
........................................................................................................................................................................ PRESS RELEASE: GEORGIA'S TOP FIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STOREIS OF 2010
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced on December 28 that jobs increased by 14 percent and investment by 20 percent in the state during 2010. New and expanding companies created more than 20,000 jobs and invested $4.1 billion in Georgia during 2010. Entertainment and tourism also made strong showings. For full press release, click here.
........................................................................................................................................................................ KEVIN LANGSTON NAMED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD FOR TRAVEL SOUTH USA
Travel South USA announced the 2011 Executive Board Officers in January 2011. Kevin Langston, Deputy Commissioner for Tourism for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, was named 2011 chairman of the board and assumes leadership of the Southern Travel Directors Council, Inc. Travel South USA is the Official Regional Destination Marketing Organization for the Southern United States, representing the states of ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, GEORGIA, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, VIRGINIA, and WEST VIRGINIA. For the complete press release, click here. www.TravelSouthUSA.com
............................................................................................................................................ HISTORICAL MARKER DEDICATION FOR GEORGIA'S SECESSION C ONVENTION ON JANUARY 19 IN MILLEDGEVILLE
The Georgia Historical Society, Georgia Battlefields Association and the Georgia Department of Economic Development invite you to a Historical Marker Dedication for Georgia's Secession Convention on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. on the corner of Jefferson and Greene Streets in Milledgeville. Please RSVP to Christy Crisp at 912.651.2125 ext.17 or ccrisp@georgiahistory.com. For event details, click here.

............................................................................................................................................ REMINDER: 2011 TOURISM DAY AT THE CAPITOL
Join the Georgia Tourism Industry in Atlanta on January 25, 2011 from 8:00am - 1:30pm for the 2011 Tourism Day at the Capitol. Staying overnight? The Atlanta CVB has negotiated a special rate of $99.00 + tax at the Marriott Marquis at Peachtree Center Avenue. For more information, contact the Marriott Marquis at 404-521-0000. Be sure to mention the special rate code for "Tourism Day at the Capitol.". For more information, please contact GDEcD's Nerissa Serrano at nserrano@georgia.org; GACVB's Beda Johnson at bjohnson@columbiacountyga.gov; or TDAG's Joy Walstrum at joy@tourismdevelopmentalliance.org.
2010 Tourism Day at the Capitol
............................................................................................................................................ TRAVEL SOUTH SHOWCASE 2011
The 29th Annual Travel South Showcase will take place in Atlanta from February 22 - 24, 2011. For more information, click here or contact Rob Nolen at 404-231-1790.
............................................................................................................................................ PRESS RELEASE: TOURISM CARES AND TRAVEL SOUTH USA PLAN TO GIVE BACK TO THE GEORGIA AQUARIUM
To raise money for the Sea Turtles Project at the Georgia Aquarium, Tourism Cares, the travel industry nonprofit dedicated to preserving the travel experience for future generations, will join forces with Travel South USA during the 2011 Travel South USA Showcase. "Travel South USA is excited to once again partner with Tourism Cares in support of the Save the Sea Turtles Project," said Kevin Langston, Chairman of Travel South USA and the Deputy Commissioner for Tourism for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. "Not only are the Georgia Aquarium and Georgia Sea Turtle Center some of Georgia's most popular tourism attractions, but they have played a vital role in sea turtle conservation and rehabilitation. It is an honor for Travel South to support this very important initiative taking place right here in Georgia." For the full press release, click here.

............................................................................................................................................ GDEcD SALES TEAM UPDATE
DOMESTIC:
AAA Great Vacations Expo - Columbus, OH - January 21 - 23, 2011 GDEcD will participate in the popular expo that had more than 12,900 travelers in 2010. Did you know that Ohioans spend more than $1.5 billion on vacation travel and accommodations annually? GDEcD is offering tourism partners co-op opportunities to tourism partners. For more information, please contact Pam Kruseck via email at pkruseck@georgia.org.
North Carolina Motorcoach Annual Meeting & Marketplace - Wilmington, NC - February 3 - 6, 2011 Pam Kruseck will attend the annual meeting and marketplace including taking appointments and networking opportunities with Tour Operators. A co-op opportunity is being offered for partners who are interested in having their profile sheets we will be distributing during appointments. For more information, please contact Pam Kruseck via email at pkruseck@georgia.org.
Southern Women's Show - Savannah, GA - February 4 - 6, 2011 The Southern Women's Show attracts more than 12,000 women over a 3-day period. These consumer shows target women with give-aways and tips on beauty, cooking, fashion, health & well-being, shopping, travel and much more! To learn more about the Southern Women's Show, visit www.southernshows.com. For more information, please contact Pam Kruseck via email at pkruseck@georgia.org.
Bank Travel Conference - Baton Rouge, LA - February 6 - 8, 2011 Pam Kruseck will attend the annual conference that is expected to attract more than 200 attendees. GDEcD will attend networking events and have marketplace appointments with Bank Directors. A co-op opportunity is being offered for partners who are interested in having their profile sheets we will be distributing during appointments. For more information, please contact Pam Kruseck via email at pkruseck@georgia.org.
The American Bus Association's (ABA) marketplace took place in Philadelphia, PA from January 8 -12, 2011. GDEcD was a sponsor of the annual event hosting the Georgia Tourism booth in the network area on the Marketplace floor. Pam Kruseck and Nija Torrence represented the Georgia tourism division at the marketplace. The Georgia Tourism booth featured profile sheets from each of the nine travel regions including state parks and sponsor materials.
On December 20, Pam Kruseck, Joseph Walker and Brittney Gray met with Robyn Elliot of Bicycle Tours of Atlanta to discuss a vision for increased bike tours in Atlanta and across Georgia! For more information, visit www.biketoursatl.com.
Pam Kruseck attended the 'Catch the Coast' FAM tour in Brunswick and the Golden Isles with Tomee Sellars from December 7 - 9, 2010. Exploring Georgia firsthand helps the sales team to promote the state to different markets! 16 tour operators and one travel writer participated.
INTERNATIONAL:
Kevin Langston and Joseph Walker attended the Travel South Sales Mission from December 6 - 9, 2010 visiting receptive tour operators who have international clients - training and enticing them to sell more of Georgia and the south as a region.

............................................................................................................................................ ALBANY CVB WINNER OF GPP PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
The Albany Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) was awarded a 30-second advertising spot for winning the Georgia Production Partnership (GPP) Cup-O-Pansies Photo Location contest. Participants in the contest were instructed to take a picture of a community locale that would make a great location for a movie, including in the photo pansies growing in a cup sporting the 'GPP' label. After uploading pictures to Facebook, a winner was chosen through a voting process. For more information, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ NATIONAL INFANTRY MUSEUM AND SOLDIER CENTER WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD YEAR
The National Infantry Foundation announced in November 2010 that the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center at Patriot Park in Columbus has been selected for a prestigious national award. The 2010 Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement "recognizes excellence in the creation of extraordinary visitor experiences, celebrating storytelling around the globe." It honors the creative partnerships formed between attraction owners and designers. For more information, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ LISA ANDERS PROMOTED TO DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE GWINNETT CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU
The Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau (GCVB) has announced the promotion of Lisa Anders to Deputy Director of the GCVB effective January 1, 2011. Anders will lead day-to-day operations of the GCVB and she will continue to direct all Marketing and Communications for the organization. The GCVB is Gwinnett County's official tourism organization and is dedicated to strengthening Gwinnett County's economy by marketing the county as a destination for conventions, sporting events, meetings and leisure travel through sales, marketing and promotion. GCVB represents 93 hotels within the county and the cities of Suwanee, Norcross and Buford. For more information, click here.

............................................................................................................................................ SFEA ANNUAL CONFERENCE SET FOR FEBRUARY 21-23, 2011 IN STONE MOUNTAIN
Mark your calendar and plan to attend the Eighth Annual Southeast Festivals and Events Conference presented by East Coast Pyrotechnics. Whether you are new to event planning or a seasoned professional, this three-day conference will offer you the necessary tools to help you produce successful events. The conference will feature educational sessions & panel discussion groups, trade show & entertainment show case, Kaleidoscope awards dinner and many networking opportunities. Stone Mountain Inn is the official site for the conference, $99.00 plus tax. Discounted room rate is valid until January 25th. For more information, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ GEORGIA NEWS: ATLANTA NAMED A 2011 TOP DESTINATION BY FROMMER'S
As the gateway to the New South, Atlanta has certainly come a long way since it burned to the ground during General William Tecumseh Sherman's March to the Sea in 1864. And while remains of the Civil War are still a big draw for visitors -- the Kennesaw Mountain/ National Battlefield Park and Cheatham Hill specifically, there is much more to this great city than 150-year-old confrontations. Atlanta boasts the world's largest aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola museum, a world-class zoo, an impressive botanical garden, and Federal parks highlighting the life and works of native son Martin Luther King, Jr. For the full Frommer article, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ GEORGIA NEWS: GEORGIA'S SEA ISLANDS NAMED BEST SHORE BY NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER
The November/December issue of National Geographic Traveler rates 99 coastal areas worldwide, based on scores from 340 well-traveled experts in various tourism/preservation fields. Organized in five categories, the judges evaluated six criteria: environmental and ecological quality; social and cultural integrity; condition of historic buildings and archaeological sites; aesthetic appeal; quality of tourism management; and outlook for the future. Of the 18 shore areas that landed in the Top Rated category, only three are in the USA. They are Hawaii's Na Pali Coast ("still has a degree of 'unspoiltness' about it"); the 363-mile Oregon coast ("Some beaches near population centers are overbuilt, but, in general, tourism is 'appropriately managed' ") and Georgia's Sea Islands ("most islands remain either 'undeveloped or tastefully developed' "). For the full National Geographic Traveler article, click here.

............................................................................................................................................ GEORGIA NEWS: SMARTERTRAVEL.COM NAMES ATLANTA TOP TRAVEL DESTINATIONS FOR 2011
A new year brings new reasons to explore the world. And if the world is your oyster, why not seek out the pearls? Destinations set to shine in 2011 include the world's newest country (hint: think warm, aquamarine water), a city with celebrations every day, and some far-flung countries that will seem closer with the addition of new air service. Southwest can't technically make plans for its new hub in Atlanta until its merger with AirTran closes sometime in spring 2011. But it's very likely that the airline will add routes and find ways to give Delta, the dominant airline at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, a real run for its money. Whether or not the city will experience the "Southwest Effect" of dramatically lowered fares is debatable, but chances are the lowcost carrier, eager to win business, will turn 2011 into an appealing-and affordable-year to visit. New attractions help Atlanta shine in the New Year. The Georgia Aquarium will soon welcome visitors to its new 1.3 million gallon dolphin exhibit. In spring, Legoland Discovery Centre opens in Atlanta. And a pirate museum featuring treasures and artifacts will make its home near Centennial Olympic Park next year. For the full USA Today article, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ GEORGIA NEWS: SAVANNAH NAMED TOP 10 PLACES TO GO IN THE US IN 2011 BY LONELY PLANET STAFF
This year, Lonely Planet polled the staff in their US-based office to see what US cities, states or regions were on their list for 2011 and why. Click here to see the results from those who know travel best.
............................................................................................................................................ INDUSTRY NEWS: INTERNATIONAL VISITATION UP 11 PERCENT FOR FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 2010
The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced that for the first 10 months of 2010, 50.4 million international visitors traveled to the United States, an 11 percent increase over the same period in 2009. In October 2010, 5.1 million international visitors traveled to the United States, an increase of nine percent over October 2009. October 2010 registered the 13th straight month of increases in U.S. arrivals. International visitors spent $111.5 billion during the first 10 months of 2010, 11 percent more than the same period in 2009. In October 2010, international visitors spent $11.9 billion, 18 percent more than in October 2009. October 2010 marks the 10th consecutive month of growth in U.S. travel and tourism-related exports. Total travel and tourism-related exports have increased, on average, $1.4 billion a month in 2010. TI News: An information service from Office of Travel & Tourism Industries (OTTI) For more information, click here.

............................................................................................................................................ INDUSTRY NEWS: HIGHER PRICES PREDICTED AT GAS PUMP
Drivers in the USA could be paying as much as $3.75 a gallon for gas this spring, oil experts predict. Prices at the gas pump have inched up all year as the cost of crude oil neared $100 a barrel. On Christmas Day, the average nationwide price of selfserve regular hit $3, a record for that day. By year's end, the average price reached $3.06. Prices creeping toward $4 a gallon could have dire consequences for some industries and slow the economic recovery, analysts say. For the full USA Today article, click here.
............................................................................................................................................ INDUSTRY NEWS: USA TODAY PARTNERS WITH FOURSQUARE FOR TRAVEL TIPS
On January 6, USA TODAY's Foursquare account will be loaded with more than 250 tips culled from their weekly "10 Great Places" feature, which taps local experts, authors and celebrities to create themed lists of the nation's best points of interest. For the full USA Today article, click here.
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