Peach byte: monthly newsletter for Georgia tourism, 2018 February

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August 2017



It's time to get excited about the Georgia Governor's Tourism Conference, coming up Sept. 1013, 2017, on beautiful Jekyll Island! The planning committee has a fantastic program of sessions scheduled, and our hosts on Jekyll Island and the Golden Isles are organizing some amazing events. I hope to see you there. While we're on the subject of Jekyll Island, at the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Conference held on Jekyll Island this month, John Clark of the Georgia News Network won the award for Best Feature Story or Series for his Year of Georgia Music series. Our Senior Communications Specialist Emily Murray worked with John to put together broadcasts in several communities across the state to highlight our music assets and destinations. It was a great example of how, working with Georgia's communities, we've been able to leverage our themes the past three years to help drive interest in, and travel to, sites all across this great state. We look forward to partnering with you on many more opportunities!
Top News Items from Georgia Tourism
1. Georgia Tourism launches Selfie Spot Tour
This month, Georgia Tourism launched a new component of the Year of Georgia Film: the Georgia Film Selfie Spot Tour. The self-guided tour aims to highlight Georgia's rapidly growing film tourism sites across the state. The tour includes 33 sites, and each has a decal on the ground indicating the best spot for film fans to take a selfie. Find out how to follow the tour on MarketGeorgia.org and share your photos on social media using #GeorgiaFilm!
2. Georgia Tourism announces 2017 Songwriter Series
The ExploreGeorgia.org Songwriter Series returns in 2017! The second annual series will include six shows throughout the state from August to November, and each performance features multiple Georgia musicians in the places that inspire them. Join the first show in the series in Valdosta on Aug. 19 at the Dosta Playhouse, featuring Randall Bramblett, Eliot Bronson and Joe Smothers. Other cities participating include Athens, Augusta, LaGrange, Rome and Savannah. Read more about the series on MarketGeorgia.org, and find more information on performance venues, artist bios, photos and ticket information at ExploreGeorgia.org/Songwriter-Series
3. Earn RVIC Training Credit at the 2017 Georgia National Fair
The annual, state-sponsored Georgia National Fair in Perry draws more than 450,000 visitors and is Georgia's celebration of its youth, agriculture and heritage. Regional Visitor Information Center (RVIC) managers can complete up to three hours of crosstraining as part of the RVIC program by signing up to work at least one five-hour shift at the Georgia Tourism booth during the fair Oct. 5-15, 2017. RVIC managers who work two or more shifts will have the opportunity to display brochures at the fair. Download the sign-up form and submit it by Sept. 18 to secure your spot at the booth!
4. Partner with Georgia Tourism at domestic and international trade shows
Georgia Tourism's Business Development Team promotes the state to group tour/travel operators around the world at trade shows and conferences throughout the year, and they have opportunities for you to join them or send your marketing materials to promote your destination at upcoming conferences. Download the FY18 Business Development Co-op Calendar to find opportunities to partner with the team this year, and contact Tracy Vaughan or Lacey Cameron for more information.
5. Have you registered for Georgia Governor's Tourism Conference, Sept. 10-13, on Jekyll Island?
Make plans to attend Georgia's largest annual gathering of tourism professionals Sept. 10-13, 2017, at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. Preview the agenda and register today to join more than 500 of the state's top tourism professionals at this once-a-year event.
6. Georgia Tourism staff spotlight: Forrest Gump
As any of the Georgia Tourism team members who work at the state's 12 visitor information centers can tell you, working at a VIC is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get. But, perhaps no one knows that line from the Georgia-lensed movie "Forrest Gump" better than the team at the I-95 South Port Wentworth/Savannah VIC, because they get to work alongside a replica of Forrest at their Year of Georgia Film selfie spot, one of 33 sites across the state on the Georgia Film Selfie Spot Tour. The next time you're near Savannah, be sure to stop into the VIC for a picture with Forrest on the bench in front of Chippewa Square, and share it on social media using #GeorgiaFilm. Then, set out to find a Savannah-made box of chocolates and key filming locations with the Forrest Gump Film Tour!
Mark your calendar for these upcoming events
Aug. 19: ExploreGeorgia.org Songwriter Series - Valdosta Aug. 21: Total Solar Eclipse. Find viewing parties and eclipse activities on Exploregeorgia.org. Sept. 2-4: Labor Day Weekend! Find trip ideas, getaways and events on Exploregeorgia.org. Sept. 10-13: Georgia Governor's Tourism Conference, Jekyll Island Sept. 17: ExploreGeorgia.org Songwriter Series Augusta Oct. 6: ExploreGeorgia.org Songwriter Series Athens Oct. 27: ExploreGeorgia.org Songwriter Series LaGrange Nov. 9: ExploreGeorgia.org Songwriter Series Savannah Nov. 17: ExploreGeorgia.org Songwriter Series - Rome
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