August 2016                                                                                 Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter   
As the kids head back to school and summer winds to a close, it's a perfect time to come together to recharge our collective batteries, share some time together, and plot strategy for the coming year. I hope that I will see all of you at this year's Governor's Tourism Conference! The Content Committee has some terrific sessions planned, and the folks from College Park and the ATL Airport District are excited to show off the vibrant community that is growing at the doorstep of the world's most-traveled airport. Make plans to join us!    Kevin Langston

Top News Items from Georgia Tourism

  1. Register for the Georgia Governor's Tourism Conference, Sept. 12-14 in College Park
    Don't miss Georgia's largest tourism conference! With an agenda packed with dynamic speakers and thought-provoking sessions, plus unmatched networking opportunities, this is one conference you can't afford to miss. Plan to spend Sept. 12-14 at the Georgia International Convention Center and the Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway. Register today!

  2. NEW! 2015 Statewide and Regional Visitor Profiles available
    The latest data on domestic visitor volume and profiles for travel to Georgia and each of the nine regions are now available on MarketGeorgia.org. Download them today, and contact your regional Tourism Project Manager or Research Director Andria Godfrey with questions.

  3. Georgia Tourism Awards Funding to 13 Tourism Projects
    Last month, Georgia Tourism announced that it has awarded more than $85,275 in product development agreements to 13 new and expanding tourism projects across the state. Georgia Tourism offers this funding 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. See the list of communities and projects that received funding on MarketGeorgia.org.

  4. Recap from the 2016 Regional Travel Association Leadership Conference
    On Tuesday, July 19, 2016, delegates of the Regional Travel Associations from across the state of Georgia met in Calhoun with Georgia Department of Economic Development Tourism representatives for their annual statewide Leadership Conference. The meeting was facilitated by Elyse Davis, Northwest Georgia Manager, Community & Economic Development, Georgia Power Company. Read notes from the meeting, including best practices attendees shared and solutions to common challenges.

  5. PR tips for vetting travel bloggers - When to say 'Yes, be my guest'
    If you receive requests from bloggers to suggest stories and arrange trips, these five tips from Communications Specialist Emily Murray can help you decide how to respond. Be sure to download the Influencer Comparison Workbook to help with your next requests!

  6. NEW! Follow up on these leads from recent trade shows
    Domestic Business Development Manager Lacey Cameron has been traveling the country to trade shows and conferences, promoting Georgia as a premier travel destination. Download her reports to see who is interested in more information about specific topics and destinations. Follow up on her leads and secure new business for the year!

  7. Promote your holiday deals and events on ExploreGeorgia.org
    With Labor Day around the corner, visitors are thinking of cooler temperatures and fall and holiday getaways. Boost your business in the second half of 2016 by promoting your destination on ExploreGeorgia.org! Travelers are on the hunt for special offers, events, festivals and unique experiences in Georgia. Get in front of travelers by making sure you're on ExploreGeorgia.org. Review the instructions for using the online ExploreGeorgia.org Partner Admin system and post your information today!

  8. Farewell to Georgia Traveler on Georgia Public Broadcasting
    After 10 years, hundreds of locations and thousands of miles, please join us as we bid a very fond farewell to Georgia Traveler. Georgia Public Broadcasting has made the decision to stop production of the popular show but plans to use existing episodes in their broadcast schedule. Read more about the end of an era on MarketGeorgia.org.

  9. Georgia Tourism staff spotlight: Ontaria Finch
    Ontaria Finch is the Manager for the newly renovated Ringgold Visitor Information Center, located on I-75 South just as you cross into Georgia from Tennessee. She started with Georgia Tourism in 2011 as an information specialist after earning a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Systems, and she became manager of the Ringgold VIC in 2013. She loves to travel and experience new things, and the Georgia Visitor Information Center allows her to share her passion with the traveling public. Stop by the VIC to meet Ontaria the next time you're in the area, and in the meantime, tell her how much you appreciate all the visitors she sends you at ofinch@georgia.org!  

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