March 2018 I always say that springtime is my favorite time in Georgia. There's not a spot on the face of the earth that can compare with Georgia when everywhere you look something is in bloom! Spring is also when we launch our primary advertising campaign, and we are now on-air, online and in-print with our new campaign. As you may remember, we are running TV in three markets Nashville, Jacksonville and Greenville/Spartanburg/Asheville. Our funding allows us to do about a six-week campaign, and we are hitting consumers on all fronts, with TV ads, display ads, paid social media, print magazines and polybagged travel guides in lifestyle magazines. If you hear from consumers or others who have seen the ads, shoot us a message with their impressions. We will be tracking the results to share with you this fall. Get out and enjoy this great Georgia spring! Top News Items from Georgia Tourism 1. Georgia Tourism awards funding to 11 tourism projects Last month, Georgia Tourism announced that it has awarded more than $43,175 in product development grants to 11 new and expanding tourism projects across the state. In an effort to further tourism product development within the state, Georgia Tourism offers this grant to communities who participated 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. Read more about the projects on MarketGeorgia.org. 2. Reserve your hotel for the RVIC Conference April 18-20 in Statesboro More than a meeting, the annual RVIC Conference, April 18-20, 2018, in Statesboro, is a valuable investment into the professional development of tourism professionals, and a can't-miss annual reunion with colleagues and friends. Don't miss this exciting conference! Reserve your hotel room by April 3, 2018. 3. Apply for match funds through the Georgia Tourism FY19 Co-op Program The application to request match funds through the Georgia Tourism FY19 Co-op program is now open! Any RTA or any partner with a listing on ExploreGeorgia.org is eligible to apply. You will find the program introduction and vendor presentation on MarketGeorgia.org in the Resources section, and can access the application here. You may reach out to Graham Sweeney at gsweeney@georgia.org or (404) 962-4012 with any questions. 4. Film Day at the Capitol celebrates Georgia's film and television industry Last month, the Georgia Film Office celebrated Film Day at the Capitol to recognize the state's past, present and future in the film industry. Georgia-lensed productions generated an economic impact of more than $9.5 billion during fiscal year 2017 (July 1, 2016 June 30, 2017). According to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the film and television industry is responsible for more than 92,100 jobs and $4.6 billion in wages, directly employing more than 28,700 Georgians. During fiscal year 2017, Georgia was home to 320 feature films; television movies and series; commercials; and music videos that were shot across the state. To find out more about Georgia's film industry and the state's film tourism sites, visit ExploreGeorgia.org/Film. 5. Reminder: Update your summer deals and events on ExploreGeorgia.org Spring is here, and summer is just around the corner. Attract more visitors this summer by posting your deals and events to ExploreGeorgia.org! Are you planning any special promotions or packages to help travelers cool off, relax and have fun in the sun? Tell them about it by updating your listing on ExploreGeorgia.org today! 6. Is your destination ready to welcome Chinese visitors? Stella Xu presented to the 2018 GACVB Winter Meeting about being ready for Chinese visitors. Download the presentation for all the details! 7. Staff spotlight: Jassy Ji, Greater China Initiatives Coordinator Jassy Ji officially joined our team as the coordinator for Greater China Region Initiatives in January 2017. Previously, she was a full-time intern for the Greater China Region Initiatives from 2013 to 2014. The Greater China Region Initiatives handle all tourism and global commerce activities related to China. Jassy is using her experience and culture background to help the Chinese understand how amazing Georgia is, as well as to help Georgians understand Chinese culture and get ready for this fast-growing market. She loves to share all the tips she knows about how to become a "China-Ready" community. Send her an email at yji@georgia.org if you want to get ready for the soon-to-launch Delta non-stop ATL to PVG (Shanghai, China) flight in July 2018! Mark your calendar for these upcoming events Mar. 23: Mar. 25-27: Apr. 5: Apr. 18-20: Apr. 27: May 6-12: June 24-29: Georgia On My Mind Day, Valdosta Active America China Travel South One Big Welcome, Atlanta Early registration discount ends for ESTO (Aug.11-14, Phoenix) RVIC Conference, Statesboro Georgia On My Mind Day, Sylvania National Travel and Tourism Week STS Marketing College, Dahlonega Let's get social! Have a question about Georgia? Need travel advice? Or just feel like getting inspired to plan your vacation? 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