Peach byte: monthly newsletter for Georgia tourism, 2017 October

October 2017
There's still time! We would love to have you join us at the Georgia Governor's Tourism Conference on Jekyll Island. A fantastic program is planned, and how often do you have a solid business reason to spend a few days at the beach? Come on down, and get your business savvy stoked, your seafood appetite sated and your networking started. Hope to see you there!
Top News Items from Georgia Tourism
1. Georgia Governor's Tourism Conference Oct. 30-Nov. 2 on Jekyll Island
We are looking forward to seeing everyone on Jekyll Island Oct. 30 - Nov. 2, 2017, for the rescheduled Georgia Governor's Tourism Conference. The conference opening session will begin at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31 and will conclude after the Governor's Brunch & Awards Ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 2 at noon. Don't miss the new Georgia Tourism Emergency Preparedness general session scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 31. For the updated conference agenda and more information, visit georgiagtc.com.
2. Now Showing: The Excursion with David Zelski
Tune in to FOX Sports Southeast and Destination America for the new TV series "The Excursion" featuring David Zelski, formerly with GPB's "Georgia Traveler." In the first season of the nationally syndicated show, David treks across Georgia for a set of timed challenges from zip lines and rock climbs to explorations through rivers, mountains, island trails and more. Georgia Tourism is the lead sponsor for the first season, which includes 12 episodes, and the show is part of the FY18 Co-op Advertising Program. Read more about the show on MarketGeorgia.org and http://www.TheExcursionTV.com.
3. Now Available: 2016 Travel Economic Impact Data on Georgia State, Counties and Regions
This annual study by the U.S. Travel Association presents estimates of travel spending and economic activity at the state, region and county levels in 2016. Estimates include travel expenditures, travel-generated employment and payroll income, as well as tax revenues for state and local government. Direct domestic travel impacts are provided for the state, regions, and counties, while the international traveler impacts are provided at the state level only.
4. Explore Georgia Farms fall social media campaign launches
The Explore Georgia Farms Fall social campaign is in full swing! #ExploreGeorgiaFarms is promoting Georgia's wide variety of agritourism products throughout the state with a focus on fall you-picks, activities, produce, farmers markets, festivals and farms open to the public. This is a chance to highlight the state's ever-growing agritourism products and the stories behind the farms' history and family traditions. Keep an eye on Explore Georgia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the Georgia Farms Trip Ideas page to follow the campaign!
5. Georgia Tourism Awards Funding to 14 Tourism Projects
Last month, Georgia Tourism announced that it awarded $111,624 in product development resource team grants to 14 new and expanding tourism projects across the state. Georgia Tourism offers the grants to communities that participate in the department's Tourism Product Development Resource Team program as a way to build product outlined in the resource team's reports. The Tourism Product Development Resource Team program works to evaluate a community's potential for tourism growth and development through innovative and unique experiences based on a community's local culture and heritage. See the complete list of grant recipients on http://www.marketgeorgia.org.

6. Explore Georgia Content Calendar for FY18
Download the PDF of the Explore Georgia content calendar from July 2017-June 2018 to see what to expect on exploregeorgia.org, social media and email newsletters this year. If you have a blog post idea, event or giveaway that coincides with the monthly subjects, send them to Emily, Katie, Parker and Lindsay (contact info on the last slide).
7. Travel Professionals page is getting a new look on ExploreGeorgia.org
The ExploreGeorgia.org Travel Professionals page is undergoing updates to better serve the needs of tour operators. The site will include a series of group-focused itineraries, ranging from entertainment to culinary experiences, from literary landmarks to black heritage. If your event facilities and venues are group tour-friendly, please check your listings on ExploreGeorgia.org to make sure the information is up to date, and that amenities for groups are tagged correctly. Login to Partner Admin at http://partner.exploregeorgia.org to update your listings.
8. Georgia Tourism staff spotlight: Tracie Sanchez
Welcome, Tracie Sanchez, the new Product Development Manager for Georgia Tourism! Working closely with Cindy Eidson, Tracie is managing tourism product development resource teams, soliciting new tourism projects, and acting as a liaison between regional and local communities. Decades of weekend cycling and vacations via trails are living proof that "all who wander are not lost." Tracie also happens to be a map lover (hence the not getting lost part). Her career path to Georgia Tourism includes stops as a graphic designer, park ranger, leadership coordinator and nonprofit director. Noting the gap in trails leadership and the need for statewide resources, she aims to support all of Georgia's trail endeavors, and she often can be found riding her bike or walking her dog along the South Peachtree Creek Trail in Atlanta. Send Tracie a note to say hello at tsanchez@georgia.org!
Mark your calendar for these upcoming events
Oct. 27: ExploreGeorgia.org Songwriter Series LaGrange Oct. 30-Nov. 2: Georgia Governor's Tourism Conference, Jekyll island Nov. 9: ExploreGeorgia.org Songwriter Series Savannah Nov. 17: ExploreGeorgia.org Songwriter Series - Rome
Let's get social! Have a question about Georgia? Need travel advice? Or just feel like getting inspired to plan your vacation? Check us out on the following sites:
Copyright 2017 GA Department of Economic Development, All rights reserved.
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