Georgia tourism monthly e-newsletter, 2017 July [July 2017]

July 2017



Did you realize that 14 Georgia school districts (Cobb, Early, Emanuel, Henry, Lamar, Morgan, Newton, Putnam, Rockdale and Screven counties) are all starting back to school in July? These early start dates are a concern all across our great state. Kids need time with family and friends, and opportunities to get some work experience during their summers. I believe that there should be a way to find a better balance between student achievement and break time. There is a statewide effort to look at this issue through #savegasummers and https://www.facebook.com/SaveGeorgiaSummers/. Check it out. You'll find lots of useful data and research there. Let's take back summer and #savegasummers.

Top News Items from Georgia Tourism
1. Deal: Film industry generates $9.5 billion for Georgia's economy
This week, Gov. Nathan Deal announced that Georgia-lensed feature film and television productions generated an economic impact of $9.5 billion during FY 2017. The 320 feature film and television productions shot in Georgia represent $2.7 billion in direct spending in the state. This year, the GDEcD Film and Tourism divisions are celebrating the Year of Georgia Film to highlight Georgia's film tourism sites, including local communities that have served as backdrops for movies and television productions since the 1970s. Read more about the film industry's economic impact and upcoming movie releases on MarketGeorgia.org.
2. Dine out and dine often during Georgia Restaurant Week July 17-23, 2017
The third annual Georgia Restaurant Week, July 17-23, 2017, brought to you by the Georgia Restaurant Association and the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), aims to highlight the various dining options that are available to consumers throughout Georgia. Explore new dining options at special prices at participating restaurants next week. Find the complete list of participating restaurants at www.georgiarestaurantweek.com, and plan your dining adventures today!
3. Georgia Council for the Arts awards grant funding to 100 organizations
The Georgia Department of Economic Development's Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) has announced the recipients of its Partner, Project, Arts Education, Literary Arts and Traditional Arts grant funding for fiscal year 2018. One hundred organizations throughout the state were collectively awarded more than $1 million in funding. Grant recipients include theaters, dance companies, museums, cities, colleges and multi-discipline arts entities. A complete list of fiscal year 2018 grantees can be found on MarketGeorgia.org.
4. Submit nominations for the Governor's Awards for the Arts and Humanities
Honor the outstanding artists and humanitarians in your community by nominating them for the Governor's Awards for the Arts and Humanities. Entries are due July 31, 2017, and will be presented at the Capitol Oct. 3, 2017. For complete details, download the nomination form on MarketGeorgia.org.
5. Registration is open for Georgia Governor's Tourism Conference, Sept. 10-13, Jekyll Island
Make plans to attend Georgia's largest annual gathering of tourism professionals Sept. 10-13, 2017, at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. Register today to join more than 500 of the state's top tourism professionals at this once-a-year event. Register by July 14, 2017, and receive a $30 discount from the regular full registration price!
6. Follow up on these leads to grow your business this fall
Georgia Tourism has been on the road attending trade shows and conferences promoting Georgia as a prime vacation destination. Domestic Business Development Manager Lacey Cameron meets with group tour buyer decision makers and collects strategic notes and contact details and posts them to MarketGeorgia.org. Review her notes from meetings at Travel Alliance Partners TAP Dance, Travel South Domestic Showcase, National Bus Association's Annual Travel Exchange and more today!
7. Georgia Tourism staff spotlight: Lisa Love
Lisa Love has hit the ground running this month in her new role as Tourism's Division Director. She will be managing operations and bringing the same passion and enthusiasm to the tourism team and programs that many of us have experienced in her music efforts. Lisa listens to vinyl at home but audiobooks in her car, loved the Atlanta-lensed movie "Baby Driver" so much that she themed an episode of her "Grits Ain't Groceries" radio show around it, and as she acknowledges, "still takes her snacks like a homegrown Moultrie girl." Send Lisa a "welcome back" note at llove@georgia.org!

Mark your calendar for these upcoming events

July 14 Georgia On My Mind Day Augusta

July 17-23 Georgia Restaurant Week

July 31 Nominations due for Governor's Awards for the Arts and Humanities

Sept. 10-13 Georgia Governor's Tourism Conference, Jekyll Island

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