Peach byte: monthly newsletter for Georgia tourism, 2018 June

June 2018



It's time to mark your calendars for Tourism, Hospitality and Arts Day (THAD) at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019! Please note that this date is two weeks later than usual. After conferring with our partners at the Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus, Georgia Travel Association and Atlanta Magazine Custom Media, we concluded that this would be the best date given the circumstances.
Although THAD traditionally would have been scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 22, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day falls on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019. We then discussed the possibility of moving the date to Tues. Jan. 29, but it quickly became apparent that finding meeting space for the State of Tourism breakfast, hotel rooms for partners and even parking in downtown Atlanta five days before Super Bowl LIII would be a challenge. Therefore, we all agreed that Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, would be the best option for Tourism, Hospitality and Arts Day 2019.
Atlanta Magazine Custom Media will host its annual Celebration of Tourism Event and Travel Guide unveiling at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 4, at the Atlanta History Center. On Tuesday, Feb. 5, the 2019 State of Tourism Breakfast, presented by the Georgia Travel Association, will be held, followed by Tourism, Hospitality and Arts Day at the Capitol. Additional details will be provided later this year.
For now, please save the date for THAD 2019, and while you're looking at your calendar, be sure you are registered for the Governor's Tourism Conference Aug. 26-29, 2018, in Atlanta. The registration link and hotel information is below.
Looking forward to seeing everyone soon,


Top News Items from Georgia Tourism

1. ExploreGeorgia.org/Partner Admin Updates
Georgia Tourism, in collaboration with Miles Partnership, is in the process of redesigning ExploreGeorgia.org. The new site will be an even greater source of inspiration for visitors as well as providing new, easy-to-use navigation, improved search and innovative content features. Additionally, Partner Admin will be enhanced with a revamped, informative and easy-to-use Partner Extranet. Effective Wednesday, June 20, tourism industry partners will no longer have access to Partner Admin as we prepare for the launch of our new website. Read more about the redesign and important dates on MarketGeorgia.org.
2. Georgia Tourism Releases Culinary Guide, Announces the 100 Plates Locals Love for 2018
This month, Georgia Tourism released the 2018 state culinary guide, Georgia Eats. The fourth annual digest-sized guide features the wildly popular "100 Plates Locals Love" list, as well as 10 flavor tours that showcase inspiring dining options, a gallery of the state's most Instagrammable foods, unique festivals, delectable recipes from a few of Georgia's celebrated chefs and more. Read more about Georgia Eats, view the list of 100 plates, and order your guide today!
3. Registration is Open for the 2018 Georgia Governor's Tourism Conference, Aug. 26-29, Atlanta
Plan to join your colleagues Aug. 26 - 29, 2018, in downtown Atlanta at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis for the 2018 Georgia Governor's Tourism Conference. Speakers and sessions are still being confirmed, but registration is open for Georgia's largest tourism conference. Register today, and book your room by Aug. 3 to secure the special room rate at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.
4. FY 19 Georgia Tourism Traditional Co-op Program
Georgia Tourism is pleased to announce the media partners that have been accepted into the Sanctioned Co-op Program for the 2019 fiscal year. The program serves as an opportunity for any partner with a listing on ExploreGeorgia.org to buy print, public broadcasting and digital advertising at the most competitive pricing available. Read more about the program on MarketGeorgia.org.
5. Georgia's Hottest Hotel Developments for 2018
Over the last few years, Georgia's hotel industry has been on the rise. With 1,845+ lodging properties comprising more than 168,000 hotel rooms, the state's hotel industry continues to expand with numerous new developments, renovations and expansions under way across the state. Read more about the hottest hotel developments in Georgia on MarketGeorgia.org.
6. Tourism Product Development Resource Team Reports and Grant Opportunities
The Tourism Product Development Team has been busy this year, meeting with communities throughout the state to help discover new opportunities for destinations and events for travelers. Read their findings and recommendations in the Resource Team Reports posted on Marketgeorgia.org. You might find some ideas you can implement in your communities, too!
Communities that have completed participation in a Tourism Product Development Resource Team are eligible to apply for funding assistance. The next Tourism Product Development Resource Team Grant Round applications are due by June 28 at 5 p.m. Find complete information about the grants on Marketgeorgia.org.
7. Workshop Opportunity: Balancing Nature and Commerce in Georgia's Small Communities
Join teams from across Georgia's small communities in this action planning workshop in Porterdale, Oct. 22-25, 2018. This dynamic program will help your teams shape future economic and community opportunities based on natural, recreational, historic, and cultural assets and sense of place. Team applications are due Aug. 3 for the three-day workshop. Read more about the opportunity, and submit your application today.
8. Save the Dates: International Inbound Workshops Aug. 9 and 10, 2018
Did you know international travelers to Georgia spend more than $1.8 billion annually? Interested in furthering your understanding of the global travel market so you can diversify your customer base and obtain your fair share of that spend? Explore Georgia's business development team is offering workshops Aug. 9 & 10, 2018, in Savannah and Jekyll Island, respectively, where you'll have the opportunity to learn from experts from the International Inbound Travel Association (IITA) about how to work with international travel trade. An invitation with additional details and hotel information will follow. Contact Tracy Vaughan (tvaughan@georgia.org) or Amanda Peacock (apeacock@georgia.org) with any questions. For now, save the dates.
9. Join Us for Georgia On My Mind Days at Georgia's Visitor Information Centers this Summer
Summer is a prime time to meet visitors at Georgia's Visitor Information Centers (VICs)! Our VICs are often the first impression travelers have of Georgia, and you can help make a great impression at the seven remaining Georgia On My Mind Days this year. Share your unique story with visitors, and inspire them to experience even more of Georgia. These events are a great opportunity to showcase your hotel, attraction or tourism product for FREE! Download the calendar, and contact the VICs directly to participate.

Georgia On My Mind Days

June 22:

Ringgold (I-75 S)

June 29:

West Point (I85 N)

July 13:

Augusta (I-20 W)

Mark your calendar for these upcoming events

June 2429:

STS Marketing College, Dahlonega

Aug. 9-10: International Inbound Workshops, Savannah and Jekyll Island

Aug. 11-14: ESTO, Phoenix

Aug. 26-29: Georgia Governor's Tourism Conference, Atlanta

Balancing Nature and Commerce in Georgia's Small Communities Workshop, Oct. 22-25:
Porterdale

Oct. 31Nov. 4:

Midwest Travel Journalists Association Fall Conference, DeKalb County

Feb. 5, 2019:

Tourism, Hospitality and Arts Day at the Capitol

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