December 2015                                                                               Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter   

There's no place I'd rather be for the holiday season than right here in Georgia! We have fantastic light shows, terrific holiday-themed music, theater and dance productions and, of course, world-class shopping. While you are enjoying your time with family and friends this holiday season, please keep in mind those less fortunate. There are a myriad opportunities to give back to our communities, and this time of year the needs are even greater than normal, so just consider this a quiet reminder to help out if you can. Thank you all for your support this year and always, and I look forward to spending next year promoting tourism in the greatest state in the Union with all of you!

Kevin

Top News Items from Georgia Tourism

  1. We need you to attend Tourism, Hospitality and Arts Day at the Capitol
    Make plans now to join us Jan. 25-26, 2016, in Atlanta as we celebrate Tourism, Hospitality and Arts with members of the Georgia legislature. See the full agenda of activities, RSVP and reserve your hotel room today!

  2. Oxford American launches Georgia music issue
    This month, the Oxford American presents its 17th annual Southern Music issue, which celebrates the immense musical legacy of the state of Georgia. To promote the issue, events were held Dec. 7 and 9 in Decatur and Athens, and Georgia Tourism's Lisa Love was featured on Georgia Public Broadcasting's On Second Thought radio show Dec. 7. Order your copy of the magazine and catch up on the action on marketgeorgia.org!

  3. Weigh in on the Georgia Outdoor Recreation Plan
    GDEcD is participating in an Advisory Committee to develop the Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Recreation Plan for 2017-2021. They are looking for ideas that will assist Georgia's state parks meet the need for future recreation of our citizens and visitors for the next five-year period. Review information about the plan and share your ideas for improvement, best practices, or just general comments online.

  4. New resource: #GeorgiaEats Food Photography Tips and Tricks
    Do the pictures you take of your food look as good as the food tastes? Let us help! Look over these tips for taking food photos with your smartphone to do your meals justice. Be sure to share your delicious pictures on social media to spread the word about great #GeorgiaEats!

  5. Georgia Visitor Information Center Construction Updates
    The Georgia Department of Transportation is continuing renovations at our Georgia Visitor Information Centers, and we are putting the final touches on the new VIC at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. For the schedule of VIC closings, visit marketgeorgia.org, and mark your calendars for the ribbon cutting on the airport VIC Jan. 26, 2016, at 2:30 p.m.

  6. Georgia Tourism staff spotlight: Brittney Gray
    Director of the state's 11 Visitor Information Centers, Brittney has been with the state for 10 years. Her first eight years were spent as the Atlanta Metro Regional Representative (now Tourism Project Manager). Brittney doesn't know a stranger; everyone she meets is immediately aware that she is warm, bright, funny and a delight to be around. She, her husband, Eric, and Sadie Belle Gray (her three-year-old daughter and official Georgia Tourism Mascot) live in Smyrna. Send her happy holiday wishes at bgray@georgia.org!

Mark your calendar for these upcoming tourism events
  1. Jan. 25-26:  2016 Tourism, Hospitality and Arts Day at the Capitol events
  2. Feb. 28-March 2:  GACVB Winter Meeting in Columbus
  3. March 28-30:  2016 RVIC Workshop at Lanier Islands Resort. Register online by December 30th.
  4. April 18-24:  2016 Travel Media Marketplace
Let's get social!
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