NORTHEASTGEORGIAMOUNTAINSTRAVELREGION
TourismUpdate:September12-23,2016
TourismProjectManager
GADeptofEconomicDevelopment
GeorgiaTourismDivision
NortheastGeorgiaMountains
.
CONTENTS
GDEcD&TourismDivisionNews&Information
News&eNewsletters PeachbyteseNewsletter
Governor’sConferenceonTourism
“YearofGeorgiaMusic”News
GeorgiaExplorer–SueRodman
GeorgiaCouncilfortheArts
TourismRelatedNews&Information
Articles&MediaCoverage
TourismDevelopmentintheNortheastGeorgiaMountainsTravelRegion
SoutheastTourismSocietyNewsletter
TheGeorgiaDeptofNaturalResourcesGrant
AdvanceTravel&TourismSoutheast
ESTO–TIAEducationalSeminarsforTourismOrganizations
GroupTourMediaOnBoardbyMarleneSmith
Surveys,Industry,Marketing&TravelTrends
StateBicycleandPedestrianProgramUpdate
GeorgiaMountainsRegionalCommissionactivities
NortheastGeorgiaRegionalCommission
SolarPoweredAudioBox
FIYTourismMarketingConference
Calendar
GDEcD&TOURISMDIVISIONUPDATE
News&eNewsletters
• EconomicImpactGeorgiasTourismIndustryHitsRecord$8.9-billion
• GeorgiaTourismeNewsletterSeptember2016Issue2
PeachbyteseNewsletter
• 2016Governor'sTourismConferencesoaredtonewheights-HostedbytheAtlantaAirportDistrictSept.1214,2016,inCollegePark,the2016GeorgiaGovernor'sConferencesoaredtonewheightswithinspiring
presentations,unparallelednetworkingopportunitiesandeveningentertainmentfilledwithsurprises.Atthe
Governor'sLuncheonandAwardsCeremony,Gov.NathanDealannouncedthenewsthatthestate'stourism
industrygeneratedarecord$58.9billionimpactinthelastyearandarecord100millionvisitorscameto
Georgiain2015.Gov.DealalsopresentedtheGovernor'sTourismAwards,recognizingleadersand
accomplishmentsintheindustry.ReadallaboutitonMarketGeorgia.org.Downloadpresentationsfromthe
sessionsonlineandsavethedatesfortheconferencenextyearinJekyllIslandSept.10-13,2017.
• Newdataavailable:2015TravelEconomicImpactinGeorgia-Forthelatestinformationontheeconomic
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impactoftravelandtourismonGeorgia'sstate,countyandtourismregions,downloadthenewlyposted2015
TravelEconomicImpactonGeorgiaState,CountiesandRegionsreportonMarketGeorgia.org.ContactResearch
DirectorAndriaGodfreyatAGodfrey@georgia.orgwithanyquestionsorifyouneedassistanceusing
informationinthisreport.
Dogsneedvacations,too!GeorgiaTourismlaunchespet-friendlycampaignwith#ExploreGeorgiaPup-
Travelerswhowanttoenjoytheirvacationswiththeirpetsnowhaveanewsetoftripideason
ExploreGeorgia.organdawaytosharetheirexperiencesonsocialmedia.Pet-friendlycityguidesfeaturing
travel-happydogsofferrecommendationsforwheretostay,eatandplaywhilevisitingGeorgiawithpets.
Visitorsareencouragedtouse#ExploreGeorgiaPuponsocialmediatosharephotosoftheirdogsonadventures
inthePeachState.Checkoutthetripguidesandshowoffyourpet-friendlydestinationsusing
#ExploreGeorgiaPup!
TheExploreGeorgia.orgSongwriterSeries-don'tmissit!-Withthreeshowsdownandonlythreeshowstogo,
theExploreGeorgia.orgSongwriterSeriesisgoingstrongcelebratingtheYearofGeorgiaMusic.Showcasing
songwritersinintimateperformances,eachshowisunique,unpredictableandexciting.Plantocheckouta
shownearyou:Oct.7attheAlbanyMuseumofArt;Nov.19attheHollyTheatreinDahlonega;Dec.2atthe
DouglassTheatreinMacon.Seewho'splayingonMarketGeorgia.org.
DoyouknowaSmallBusinessRockStar?-TheGeorgiaDepartmentofEconomicDevelopmentandthe
GeorgiaEconomicDevelopersAssociationareseekingnominationsforoutstanding,uniqueandimpactfulsmall
businessesinthestate.Anysmallbusiness(fewerthan100employees)isinvitedtoapplybyOct.31.Nominate
yourowncompanyoranothergreatGeorgiasmallbusinesstoday!Findcompletedetailsandalistofprevious
winners(includingCreatureComfortsBrewing,SavannahBeeCompanyandLauriJo'sSouthernStyleCanning)
onGeorgia.org.
CaptureholidaybusinessbypromotingyourdestinationonExploreGeorgia.org-Itstillmayfeellikesummer,
buttravelersarealreadymakingholidaytravelplans!Nottomention,bloggersandtravelwritersaregetting
travelersreadyfortheholidayseasonwithinspirationalcontentdesignedtosendpeopleyourway.Don'tdelay!
MakesureeveryonecanfindyourholidayeventsanddealsbypostingthemonExploreGeorgia.org.Findhelpful
resources,includingtheExploreGeorgiaFY17ContentCalendaronMarketGeorgia.org
Governor’sConferenceonTourism
• Speakerpresentationsareaccessibleatwww.georgiagtc.com/agenda,buttheinfoisnotnearlyasimpactfulas
beingtheretoheartheminperson,somakeplanstoattendthe2017conferenceonJekyllIsland.
• Gov.NathanDealtodayannouncedthatGeorgia’stourismindustrygeneratedarecord$58.9billioneconomic
impactinthelastyearatthe2016GeorgiaGovernor’sTourismConferenceinCollegePark.Seenewsrelease
above.
• Dealrecognizedseveralofthestate’stoptourismprofessionalsattheannualindustryevent,whichwashosted
bytheGeorgiaDepartmentofEconomicDevelopment(GDEcD)andtheGeorgiaAssociationofConvention&
VisitorsBureaus.TheNortheastGeorgiaMountainsRegionhadanawardrecipient.TheBillHardmanSr.
TourismChampionPrivateSectorAwardwaspresentedtoXavierRobertsfromBabylandGeneralHospital.
Congrats,Xavier!Foralistofalltheawardrecipients,gotowww.marketgeorgia.org/article/economic-impactof-georgias-tourism-industry-hits-record-589-billion
“YearofGeorgiaMusic”News
• TheYearofMusicmicrositewasselectedasthewinnerofthe“MostOutstandingWebsite”awardattheWeb
MarketingAssociation’s2016WebWards!GDEcD’sagencyofrecordfordigitalplatforms,MilesPartnership,
wasinstrumentalinbuildingoutthemicrositeandwinningtheaward.Notablecommentsinclude…
o "You'vecreatedaterrificwaytoexplorethevarietiesofGAmusic.Nice!”
o “Thephotographywasstellar.TheinteractivesectionisoneofthefirstcarouselsIfeelreallyprovidesthe
vieweragreatdealofinformationinanentertainingmanner."
o “Iwouldhopethatotherstateswillemulatethissiteandtelltheirstories,too.”
• HappytoshareaplacementinNationalGeographicTravelerforGeorgiaMusic!Weearnedthisspotdirectly
fromawarenessoftheYearofGeorgiaMusiccampaignthatgavethewritertheideatocovermusicinthe
South.SheisalsofinishingupaprintpieceI’veassistedwiththatwillbeoutinthecomingmonths–I’llletyou
knowtheissueonceIhearback.ThisdigitalarticlefeaturesAtlanta,Augusta,Macon,AthensandDahlonega.It
willbepromotedacrossallNatGeoTravelsocialmediaplatforms(Twitter,FB,Instagram).Thewriterwillalso
bejoiningusattheExploreGeorgia.orgSongwritersSeriesinDahlonega.Here’sthelink–
www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/united-states/regional-south/listen-music-hear-ultimatesouthern-adventure/
GeorgiaExplorer–SueRodman
CheckoutGeorgia’sSmartTravelExplorerSueRodman’snewestblogpost“5ThingstoDoBesidesGetaPumpkinat
thesePatches.”
GeorgiaCouncilfortheArts
TheGCAteamattendedtheNationalAssemblyofStateArtsAgencies:NASAAannualconference.Duringtheconference
theymetwithpeersfromaroundthecountry,gainedskillsandinsightsfromlearningsessionsdesignedforpublicarts
fundersandexperiencedworld-classartisticofferings!
TOURISMRELATEDNEWS&INFORMATION
Articles&MediaCoverage
• GeorgiaDowntownsBlog(JoelCordle):APowerfulRefreshisontheWay
• AmicalolaFallsStateParksendsguestsonaerialadventure
• Findyourwayin,outofNorthGeorgiacornfieldsforfun
• NorthGeorgiaMountainsGetawaysToccoa
TourismDevelopmentintheNortheastGeorgiaMountainsTravelRegion
Ineachupdate,Iamgoingtotryandspotlightnewtourismdevelopmentsintheregion,sopleasesendmenewsabout
newadditions,newtourismattractions,lodging,etc.
• NorthGeorgiaCanopyToursinLulahasa9holeminigolfcoursethatvisitorscannowenjoy
• GranddaddyMimm’sDistilleryandMoonshineMuseumopenedinBlairsville
SoutheastTourismSocietyNewsletter(www.southeasttourism.org)
• BritslovetheSouthbecauseofwhoweare-AnyonewhodealswithinternationaltraveltotheU.S.knowsthat
Britishvisitors(3.8millionayear)headfirsttobigcities,perhapsmultipletimes,beforetheyventureintothe
hinterlands.ArecentCondeNastTravelerpollofBritishtravelagentssaysthatinterestinexploringtheSouth
hassurgedinthelast18monthsandthattheSouthhasbecometheirclients'thirdmostpopularrequestbehind
NewYorkandCalifornia.Audley,anagencythatdesignsindividualitineraries,sayssomeofitsmostpopular
programsareself-guideddrivesalongtheGulfCoast,throughGeorgiaandtheCarolinas,andthroughTennessee
andKentucky.Sowhat'sdrawingthem?It'stheSoutheast'scoreproducts-ourdistinctivemusic,ourregional
foods,goodwhiskey(henceTennesseeandKentucky'spopularity),andourhospitality.Theseareaspectsofour
regionalidentitythathavebeencenturiesinthemakingandaretruetourismmagnetstokeepinour
promotionalspotlight.Aspectsoftheregion'sgeographyareanadditionalappeal.AsanAudleyrepresentative
noted,swamptoursdefinitelyareanexperiencetheBritscan'tgetbackhome.
• 5thoughtsformoderngrouptours–Manytraditionsofthetourbusiness(thinkbig-quantitybuffetmealsand
jam-packeditinerarieswithnoindividualtime)don'tmakemuchsensetowell-traveledbabyboomers,
accordingtoBrianJewell,executiveeditoroftheGroupTravelLeader..Boomersaretheindustry'starget
marketrightnow,andtouroperatorsneedtoadjust.Jewelloffersfivethoughtareasinthiscolumn,and
redefining"value"isatthetopofthelist.Therearelessonsfordestinationsaswellastouroperatorsinthe
column.
• Millennialsongrouptours?Surelyyoujest-Eventhoughbabyboomersarethebigmarketforthegrouptour
industry(seeabove),therearenichesinthegrouptourbusinessthatappealtomillennials.Skeptical?Readhere
aboutstudiesfromtheAmericanSocietyofTravelAgentsandAAAthatmakethatcase.Here'sahint:
Millennialslikerivercruises.
TheGeorgiaDeptofNaturalResourcesGrant
GeorgiaStateParksDivisionhasrecentlyannouncedtheapplicationdeadlinefortheRecreationalTrailsGrantProgram.
ApplicationswillbedueonorbeforeNovember30,2016.Eligibleprojectactivitiesinclude:trail,trailheadconstruction,
trailmaintenance,trailassessment/studies,andpropertyacquisitionfortrailrecreationfacilities.Pleasecontactthe
EconomicDevelopmentstaffattheGeorgiaMountainsRegionalCommissionassoonaspossibleifyouareinterestedin
applyingtothisgrantprogram.770-538-2626.
AdvanceTravel&TourismSoutheast
CheckouttheirfreeeBooktounderstandthefivestagesoftravelandleveragethemtoyourbenefit.
Interestedinlearningmoreabouthowwecanhelpyouconnectwithtravelers?We’dlovetoconnect.
ESTO–TIAEducationalSeminarsforTourismOrganizations
Learnmoreabouttheirfreewebinarsathttps://esto.ustravel.org/webinar-series.Thenextseminar:TravekChannel
InspirestheTravelDNA,presentedbyTravelchannel,Thursday,Sept29from2-3pmEST.Register.
GroupTourMediaOnBoardbyMarleneSmith
Forgreatblogsonavarietyoftourismsubjects,gotohttps://grouptour.com/blog-category/salesblogs/onboard/marlene-smith/
Surveys,Industry,Marketing&TravelTrends
• Thehotelindustry'snexttechtarget:Virtual,augmentedrealityprograms-Gamificationisapowerfuldriverin
nearlyeveryindustry,reportsHotelManagement.net.VideogamedeveloperNianticdefinitivelyprovedthe
conceptwhenitlaunchedPokémonGoearlierthissummer,gamifyingtheactofwalkingaroundbyturning
publicspacesintointeractivelocations.Thetechnologyhasarrived,andit'snowuptothehospitalityindustryto
determineitsplace.BestWesternHotels&Resortshasbeenawillingparticipantintheimplementationofboth
augmentedandvirtualrealitydevicesonboththeguest-facingsideofthebusinessaswellasbackofhouse.The
companyfirstpartneredwithDisneyyearsagotodevelopanaugmentedrealityprogramforyoungerguests,
andin2015cameoutwithanewARexperiencepairedwiththeDisneyMovieExperience.EvidenceofVR's
usefulnessisalreadyevidentinaback-of-the-housetrainingprogramthatBestWesternfinishedrollingout
earlierthisyear.Butwhileit'seasyforahoteltobuyasingleVRheadsetandsetitupfortrainingpurposes,
findingawaytomarketVRtoguestsistrickierduetothehighcosttoentryfortheaverageconsumer.
• Hiltondishesupnewexperientialfood-pairingprogramforconferences-Everyonewho'severattendeda
conferenceknowsthatfeelingaroundmid-afternoonwhenyourenergycrashesandyourmentalfocusstarts
lagging.Toomuchcoffee,andtoomanycarb-ladenbagelsandsugar-loadedcroissantsareoftentheculprit.To
theircredit,hotelandconferencecentershaveevolvedalongwaytowardservingmorehealthyfoodand
beverageoptions,butmanypeoplestilltendtograbthedonutsbeforethebananasduetoshort-termcravings
toalleviatestressand/orboredom.Lastweek,HiltonWorldwideunveiledthenextiterationofits"MeetWith
Purpose"programthatincludesaseriesofturnkeyfoodandfitnesspairingprogramsthatmeetingplannerscan
easilybuildintotheiragendas.
• Studyidentifiesrestaurantflawsthatleaveabadtasteindiners'mouths-Loyaltyprogramsaren'ttheonly
waytobuildrepeatrestaurantbusiness.AnewsurveycommissionedbyCintasCorporationidentifiescommon
issuesthatwouldkeepAmericansfromreturningtorestaurants.Conductedonlineamong2,034U.S.adultsages
18andolder,thestudyfoundthat97percentofU.S.adultswouldbeinfluencedtonotreturntoarestaurantif
theyexperiencedsometypeofissuerelatedtothefacility.Thetopfivefactorsthatwouldturndinersawayfrom
arestaurantincludedirtysurfaces(86percent),generalbadodor(85percent),dirtyrestrooms(80percent),
dirty/slipperyfloors(72percent),andentrywaycleanliness(70percent).
• Thesixgoldenrulesofrespondingtoguestreviews-Whetherscathingorglowing,everyguestreviewisa
goldenopportunityforyourhotel[orattraction,restaurant,shop,etc.]toshineorstumble.Gueststrustother
guests,andthereviewsofpastexperiencesatyourhotelareoneofthemostinfluentialfactorsthatcanimpact
futurebookings.Youcan'taffordtoignorebadreviewsandhopetheydisappear.Nor,isitokaytosimplywrite
cannedresponsesthatlackagenuineconcernforyourguests.Itcanbedismayingtoreadnegativereviews
aboutyourhoteloryourcolleagues.However,it'smoredismayingtoknowthatonehorrible(unanswered)
reviewcanstopapotentialbookingdeadinitstracks.Tambourineofferssixwaystodealwithnegativereviews,
startingwith"Cutthe(corporate)crap."
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Howtochoosetherightsocialmediaplatformsformarketingyoursite-Largehotelcompanieswiththe
budgettoinvestbigintheirsocialmediastrategyarelikelytoseebigresults,butwhataboutindependent
hotelsorindividualfranchiseproperties?Withsmallermarketingteams-andsmallerbudgets-individualhotels
needtobestrategicaboutwheretheyspendtheirtimeandmoneyonline.HotelManagement.netsaysthereare
fourquestionstoaskwhenchoosingtherightsocialmediaplatformsforahotel-suggestionsthatmightalsobe
consideredforanothertypeofpropertysuchasanattractionorrestaurant.Forinstance,firstdecideonthe
audienceyouwanttoreachandconsiderhowwellthedemographicsofeachsocialplatform'susersmatchesup
withthekindofguestsyou'relookingtoattract.
Franceisbanningplasticplatesandcutlery-Francehasbecomethefirstcountrytopassanationwidebanon
plasticcups,plates,andcutlery,reportsCondeNastTraveler.com.Themovecomesnotlongafterthe
Frenchbannedsingle-useplasticshoppingbagsasofMarchandwillalsoextendtoabanonKeurigpodsand
otherdisposableproductsusedfordrinkingcoffee.Theplasticbanwillnotfullycomeintoeffectuntil2020,
givingbusinessestimetogetridoftheirexistingstockandcomeupwithalternativeproducts,suchascutlery
madefromaformofcompostablewoodorcupsconstructedoutofcorn-basedrecyclableplastic.In2015,
France'sparliamentvotedinfavorofalawthatrequiredallnewbuildingsinthecountrytohaveroofsmadeof
eitherplantsorsolar-energypanels.
Panel:Thinkoutsidetheroomfornewrevenuestreams-Withworriesaboutthestateofthehotelcycleand
slowingroomsrevenuegrowth,hoteliersarelookingfornewandnovelwaystodriverevenueandprofitability
attheirproperties.Speakingduringthe"BeyondroomsandF&B:Totalrevenuemanagementpractices"panelat
theHotelDataConference,sourcessaidthereareseveralwaysthatmanyhotelsareleavingmoneyonthe
table.Onepanelistsaidtherearelessonstobelearnedfromhowmusicfestivalsandamusementparksmanage
tocreatetieredexperiencesbasedonhowmuchconsumersarewillingtopay.Onepanelistsaidthereare
lessonstobelearnedfromhowmusicfestivalsandamusementparksmanagetocreatetieredexperiences
basedonhowmuchconsumersarewillingtopay.Onepanelisthasbeensuccessfulleasingoutretailspace,and
anothernotedOmnihasseensolidrevenuegrowthbyoptingtoleaseoutrestaurantspacesinsteadofkeeping
F&Boperationsinhouse.
Hiltonispilotingmorerestrictiveratesatselectproperties-HiltonWorldwideoncemoreisexperimentingwith
ratetypesthatmakecancelinghotelroomsmoredifficult,reportsBusinessTravelNews.com.Newerratetiers
likeSemi-FlexandPrepayRestrictedhavestartedtoappearonlineforselectpropertiesonHilton'sbrand.com
websites,withspecialloyaltymemberratesalsoavailableforeachtier.TheSemi-Flexratesarerefundableupto
sevendaysbeforecheck-inbutchargeacancellationfeethereafter.ThePrepayRestrictedratesare
nonrefundableandunchangeable.TheinitiativeisnotdissimilarfromapilotconductedbyHiltonlastyearin
whichitchargedguestsatselecthotelsa$50penaltyforcancelinganytimeafterbooking.Still,ifHilton's
initiativesticksandotherhoteliersfollowsuit,itcouldrevolutionizepricingforthehotelindustry,aligningit
morecloselywiththeairlineindustry,whereflexibilitycomesatapremium.
Seattleputsrestrictionsonrestaurantscheduling,hiring-Largerestaurantcompanieswillberequiredto
finalizeSeattleemployees'laborschedulesatleasttwoweeksinadvanceandpaypenaltiesforchanges
afterwardunderalawunanimouslypassedMondaybytheSeattleCityCouncil.Themeasurealsorequires
companieswithatleast500employeesnationwidetoincreasethehoursofpeoplealreadyonthepayrollbefore
newhiresareaddedtothestaff.Inaddition,employeeswhoworkthelastshiftofarestaurant'sworkdaywill
berequiredtobegivenatleast10hoursoffbeforetheyareexpectedtoreportbacktowork.Workschedules
mustbesetatleasttwoweeksbeforeashift.Ifhoursarecutbetweenthatpointandshifttime,theemployee
mustbepaidhalfofwhatheorshewouldhaveearnedwithoutthechange.Ifhoursareincreased,thestaff
memberispaidforthehoursworked,plusthewagesforoneadditionalhour.Employees,however,canrequest
areductioninhourswithoutpenalty.Theycanalsoswapshifts.ThevotemakesSeattlethesecondcity,after
SanFrancisco,toadoptaso-calledsecureschedulinglaw.Lastweek,NewYorkCityMayorBillDeBlasio
proposedthathischargebecomethethird.Themeasuressharemanyofthesamerequirements,areflectionof
theconcertedeffortbyorganizedlabortogettheschedulinglawsonthebook.
StateBicycleandPedestrianProgramUpdate
Therewereover5000generalresponsestotherecentsurveyforthePedestrianSafetyActionPlanandtheyarenow
movingforwardwithplandevelopment(thepedestriansurveyisstillliveifyou’dstillliketotakeitorshareit).In
tandemwiththePedestrianSafetyActionPlantheyarealsodevelopingaBicycleSafetyActionPlan,ledbyGeorgia
Bikes.Theyneedyourinputastheybegintheplandevelopmentprocesstoensurethattheplanaddressestheneeds
andchallengesofGeorgians.ThissurveyisforeveryoneandanyoneinGeorgia.Pleasetakethesurveythenshareit!
Posttoyoursocialmediaplatforms,emailtoyourfriends,sharewithyourneighborhoodorganizations,school,church
group,bookclub,etc.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfidsTgnyXMk8j_74yCFENPI8XU5j2cnFY9R5hFfxEUlob0XQ/viewform?c=0&
w=1
Contact:KatelynDiGioia,E.I.T,StateBicycleandPedestrianEngineer,GeorgiaDepartmentofTransportation,Officeof
TrafficOperationskdigioia@dot.ga.gov404.635.2834935EastConfederateAvenue|Building24|Floor2|Atlanta,
Georgia30316-2531
GeorgiaMountainsRegionalCommissionactivities
• TheGMRCiscompletingaConceptualMasterPlanfortheSautee-NacoocheecenterinWhiteCounty.Thisplan
setsouttheirvisionforrenovationofoutdoorareasandtheinstallationofnewamenitiesofthecampusstrives
toincreasetheiruseandappealasanartsandculturalhubintheGeorgiaMountainsRegion.Oncecomplete
theCenterwillusetheplanstocoordinatetheirexpansionandtoaidinfunding.
• ARCPre-Applicationssubmitted
o SauteeNacoocheeCommunityAssociationMarketingApp
o CradleofForestryinAmericaInterpretiveAssociation–Museum&VideoUpdates
o HallCounty–Healan’sMillLandAcquisition
o TheFoxfireFund–MobileApplication
• TheCityofHartwellreceived$150,000inAppalachianRegionalCommission(ARC)grantfundingfortheHartwell
RailroadStreetFarmersMarket.
• TheCityofToccoareceived$46,295inAppalachianRegionalCommission(ARC)grantfundingforsoundsystem
improvementstotheSchaeferCenter.
NortheastGeorgiaRegionalCommission
Thisyearmarksthe50thanniversaryofthepassingoftheNationalHistoricPreservationAct.Duringtheyear,theNEGRC
isshowcasingsuccessfulpreservationprojectsintheirregiontocelebratetheanniversary.ForthemonthofJune,the
Shields-EthridgeHeritageFarminJacksonCountywasfeatured.
SolarPoweredAudioBox
Ifyouhaveoneorknowofoneinyourcommunity,pleaseletmeknow.
FIYTourismMarketingConference
ThisconferenceisjustalittlelessthantwomonthsawayfromtheDIYTourismMarketingConferenceinAsheville,NC!
TheirlineupforNovember14and15includesfivepanelistswithexpertiseandexperiencepromotingAsheville's
tourismcommunity.Gaininsightsfromthosewhohavehadsuccessattractingvisitorsfromtherestaurant,hotel,large
attraction,craftbeer,anddestinationmarketingindustriesduringour"MarketingAsheville"LunchPanel.
TOURISMINDUSTRYCALENDAR
Foracompletelistofallthe2016GeorgiaOnMyMindDaysclickhere.
Oct5-7
Oct12
Oct14
Oct21-23
Nov19
Nov28-Dec1
Dec7
GAMunicipalCemeteryAssociationConference–Douglasville,GA
NEGAMtnsRTAMeeting(11:30am)SkyValleyClubhouse,SkyValley,GA
STSTop20Festivals&Events-DeadlinetoNominationstonominate2017Apr/May/Jun
GeorgiaBikeSummit-WestinJekyllIsland,GA
ExploreGeorgia.orgSongwriterSeries–HollyTheatre,Dahlonega,GA
TravelSouthUSAIntlShowcase-Atlanta,GA
NEGAMtnsRTAMeeting(11:30am)TBD
Jan23-242017
July182017
Aug21,2017
TourismHospitalityandArtsDayattheCapitol–Atlanta,GA
RTALeadershipConference–Dublin,GA
TotalEclipseoftheSun(PaththroughGeorgiaincludesBlairsville,ClaytonHelen,Hiawassee&Toccoa)
Havesuggestionsforcontent?
Sendmeideasorrequeststomakethisanewsworthyandinformativetourismupdate.
Nofestivalortourismvisitoreventinfo.Eventsandfestivalsshouldbepostedonwww.ExploreGeorgia.org.
Nofestival/tourismvisitoreventinfo.Yourevents/festivalsshouldbepostedonwww.ExploreGeorgia.org.