Member Memo May 1, 2008

The Center for Puppetry Arts

The Center for Puppetry Arts is a unique cultural treasure - a magical place where children and adults are educated, enlightened and entertained. Since 1978, the Center has introduced millions of visitors to the wonder and art of puppetry, and has touched the lives of many through enchanting performances, curriculum-based workshops and the hands-on Museum, as well as Distance Learning and Outreach Programs. In the 2008-09 season, the Center will celebrate a huge milestone in the theater industry – a 30th anniversary. This milestone is made complete with the opening of a third Jim Henson Special Exhibit, Jim Henson: Wonders from his Workshop, planned for September, 2008. For more information about the Center’s programming, please visit: www.puppet.org.

Please Welcome New Members:

AMTA would like to welcome three new members City Pass Inc., Georgia Tourist Guide.com and Atlanta Botanical Garden

AMTA Sales Opportunities

AMTA Motorcoach Blitz

 AMTA Sales Blitz June 8-12, 2008 

Don’t miss this opportunity to make new sales contacts in Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina. Just $500.00 will cover the cost of the motor coach and driver. You will be responsible for your meals and hotel (Approximately $100.00 per night including complimentary continental breakfast) Please make your $500.00 check payable to AMTA and mail by May 22, 2008 to:

Gordon Price
Brochure Displays
P.O. Box 1717
Fayetteville, GA 30214

Or AMTA accepts American Express Please sign up on the attached reservation form and email to: Barbara Mullin Holiday Inn Atlanta/ Roswell 678-852-3258 mullinb@bellsouth.net.

More details to follow soon.  If you have questions or if you are already ready to commit, please contact Barbara Mullin at 770-817-1414 or via email at mullinb@bellsouth.net

 2nd Annual Hard Rock Café FAM tour and Mini-Marketplace  
 (Mon. June 16 at 1:30 pm) 

• Vendors set-up / we provide 6 foot table / linen and skirted. Cost $100.00 per table for AMTA members only!) - Cost also includes dinner on June 14.
• Vendors can hand out sales information, decorate table as they wish.
• Tour Operators will have time to network with the vendors

Also, looking for goodies (approx. 35) for their welcome bags - if you're interested, please mail items to me at Hard Rock. Click here to read the full itinerary.

Jodi O'Gara
Sales & Marketing Manager
Hard Rock Cafe Atlanta
P: 404.688.7625 ext. 25

Georgia On My Mind Day (Lavonia, GA)

Please join us May 23rd for Georgia On My Mind Day at the Georgia Visitor Information Center I-85 South, Lavonia. GOMM Day is scheduled for 8:30am-5:30pm (or stay as long as you like). This is a great opportunity to showcase your Georgia attraction, hotel or event. You will need to provide your own table for this event.

If you plan to attend Georgia On My Mind Day, please contact:
Pat Pierson, Georgia Visitors Information Center
Phone:  (706) 356-4019
Email: ppierson@georgia.org

2008 Membership Drive

AMTA Airways Flight 115 is filling up with new members!  Look at our progress!  Please help us fill the entire airplane by the end of the year! (½ window = 1 new member) The Membership Drive is flying high!  Remember, every time you sign up a new member, your name goes into the hat for a drawing for $100 cash!  Our second drawing was held on April 9 at the general membership meeting at Zoo Atlanta. Three members’ names were entered into the drawing: Jon Brasher, Morris Visitor Publications; JoAnn Haden-Miller, Atlanta CVB; and Judy Renfroe, Cobb CVB.  Congratulations to Jon for winning $100 cash!  He recruited the Center for Puppetry Arts represented by Daniel Summers, Jr. and Park Cofield.   JoAnn recruited the Atlanta Botanical Garden, represented by Sabina Carr, and CityPass, Inc., represented by Mike Gallagher.  Judy recruited Georgia Tourist Guide.com represented by Chuck Corley.  Welcome to all these new members and kudos to Jon, JoAnn and Judy for signing them up.  You, too, can be a winner.  See the attached flyer and 2008 AMTA Membership Application - [pdf] - for all the details.  The next drawing will be held at our general membership meeting on June 4.  So get on board now and take flight! If you have questions, call Diane Stone, Membership Committee Chair, at 770-552-2628 or Brandi Warnock, Membership Committee Co-Chair, at 404-814-4032.  Good luck!

Attention Members:  AMTA is hosting a FAM Tour for the Georgia Tourism Visitor Information Centers on May 13-15.  4 visitor information specialists will join a group from the Sales Committee and our regional rep Brittney Gray for 3 days of showcasing tourism in Atlanta.

The itinerary is planned, but we want your brochure or item for the attendees welcome bags. All members are invited to send 4 brochures, goodies, etc. by Friday, May 9, to Jon Brasher at:

Morris Visitor Publications
180 Allen Road
Suite 200 North
Atlanta, GA 30328
Phone: 404-966-6096

AMTA is hosting two FAMs this year and this FAM will feature the northern half of our region.  We will conduct another FAM this Fall for the southern half of the region.  More info to follow.

GDEcD Update

Click here to read about the E-Challenge Grant.

AMTA Press Room

• Marietta First Fridays on the Square & the First Friday Art Walk
• 04-25-08 Wedding Alliance of North Georgia Holds Inaugural Meeting

AMTA members:   Feel free to send press releases to Victoria Jones to be included in the AMTA Press Room.

Upcoming Events:

MARCH-MAY Event

 March 1- May 18, 2008 
Atlanta History Center Traveling Exhibit: Tradition/Innovation:  American Masterpieces of Southern Craft and Traditional Art

This exhibit celebrates the contributions of master craftspeople and traditional artists in the South.  Featuring more than 130 works by 58 master traditional art and contemporary craft artists, this exhibit pairs art with a rich array of artists interviews, and stories.  This exhibit is a striking complement to the History Center's permanent exhibition Shaping Traditions: Folk Arts in a Changing South.

MAY Events

May 3
Click here to read about the Pine Mountain Gold Museum at Stockmar Park Opening May 3rd!

Lexus of South Atlanta 2008 Summer Concert Series
M ay 3, 4: Huey Lewis and The News on stage at “The Fred”
May 9, 10: Big Bad VooDoo Daddy
Take in a night of live music at the Frederick Brown, Jr. Amphitheater (“The Fred”), conveniently located in Peachtree City. For a complete listing of the Lexus of South Atlanta 2008 Summer Concert Series and for show times visit www.amphitheater.org or call 770-631-0630. 
 

Henry County Tourism Academy
May 13th 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The Tourism Academy is a program designed to educate, train, and serve Henry  County and the hospitality and service industries.  The program provides customer service training and a tour of Henry County attractions.  Participants are awarded a certificate of completion. Cost: $15

ARTSSprings Events (a month long celebration of the Arts)
Through May 17
Theatre, Dance Shows, Chamber and Choral Music, Sandy Springs Society Garden Tours, along with a Blacksmithing Demonstration and Art demonstrations are among the many offerings.  For more information, contact ARTSS at 404-255-3331 or visit www.artsandysprings.org

Sandy Springs Cycling Challenge Century Ride –
May 4, 2008   9am
USA CRITS Southeastern -. The day will include: a kiddies’ rodeo, demonstrations, and a friendly cycling competition between the Sandy Springs Police and Fire Departments. For more information visit www.sandyspringschallenge.org or www.usacrits.com.

Taste of Sandy Springs
May 4    12:00pm - 6:00pm
Annual Event to showcase the restaurants around Sandy Springs.  Admission and Parking are FREE.  Taste Tickets are $20 for a strip of 10 $2 tickets.  www.tasteofsandysprings.org.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performing under Conductor Robert Spano "Inaugural Concert"
May 10, 2008 @ 8:00 PM
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
There will be a pre-concert Grand Opening reception at 5:15pm for an additional $25 with food, drink, & a ribbon cutting ceremony! VWAinfo@woodruffcenter.org or visit http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/115485
Ticket Prices: $21-$75, 404-249-6400

Eagles "Long Road Out of Eden World Tour" at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Encore Park
May 14, 16, 17, 20 @ 8:00PM
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
VWAinfo@woodruffcenter.org  or visit http://www.ticketmaster.com
Ticket Prices: $65 Lawn, $185 Reserved, 404-249-6400

"Wind down Wednesdays"-
May 7  6pm-8pm
"Wind down" after work at Heritage Green. This free, three-part series presented by Heritage Sandy Springs and the Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce features local talent on the stage at the Sandy Springs Society Entertainment Lawn.

18th Annual Taste of Alpharetta

JUNE Events

 Friday-Saturday, June 6-7 
Penny McHenry Hydrangea Festival
This all new annual festival will be held in downtown Douglasville. The event will include a formal ball, outdoor activities, garden tours, hat parade, home and garden expo, book signings and more! The event is named for the late Penny McHenry, founder of the American Hydrangea Society and frequent visitor to Douglasville and Douglas County. Stay tuned for more details or visit www.pennymchydrangeafestival.com.