Member Memo July 15, 2008

AMTA General Meeting- 8/6/08

Inside CNN Studio Tours will host AMTA’s next general meeting on August 6th at 10:00am (networking begins at 9:30am).  A CNN executive will speak to AMTA and share details about the Inside CNN Tour. The meeting will be held in the Terrace Event Space at the CNN Center. There will be breakfast pastries, coffee, juice and water. Tours of CNN will be available for members after the meeting. Upon arrival at CNN Center, guests will need to check in at the concierge desk and they will be taken up to the Terrace Level. Visit the Inside CNN Tour website for tour details (www.cnn.com/tour).

AMTA members may park in any pay lot surrounding CNN, take MARTA or valet park at the Omni Hotel. Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) also provides info on pay lot locations downtown http://www.atlantadowntown.com/parking/index.html.

Revolution Management Corporation

Chris Phillips was educated in Tulsa, Oklahoma and he moved to Atlanta in 1997. Chris started his hospitality career when he was hired as GM for Wyndam Hotel Corporation's Baymont in Covington, GA. He then transferred to Morrow’s Comfort Suites Hotel as GM in March 2008. A few months later Chris was promoted to Operations Director with Revolution Management Group (May 2008).

Chris provides the 3rd party web site revenue management for Baymont Hotel in Stockbridge, Super 8 in McDonough, Hampton Hotel in Douglasville, Best Western in Stockbridge and Comfort Suites in Morrow. Chris is also the direct GM for Super 8 in McDonough and GM at Comfort Suites in Morrow. He manages a staff of 68 with his combined properties while controlling expenses and conducting sales and marketing. Chris's goal is to become a regional director with a major hotel corporation before he is 30.

Membership Committee:

As you know we are in a membership building year for AMTA. As an incentive to bring a guest to the next meeting on August 6 at CNN, Jon Brasher with Morris Visitor Publications will donate 2- $100 Fire of Brazil/Jalapeno Charlies gift cards for a special drawing. Bring a guest and your name will be entered into the drawing to be held at the conclusion of the meeting. If your name is drawn, you and your guest will each win a gift card! Please search your databases and brains and think who could benefit from an AMTA membership and invite them to the August meeting.

2008 MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL

Press Room:

• Chattahoochee Nature Center Named One of Atlanta Magazine’s “Top Places to Work”. Click here to read the full press release.
• Alpharetta says “Autumn is in the Bag!” Click here to read the full press release.

Advertising Opportunity- Georgia Travel Guide

The Georgia Travel Guide is the ultimate guidebook for vacationers who are planning a trip to the Peach state. It’s user-friendly and has enticing editorial and inviting photography from around Georgia. The Travel Guide is the primary fulfillment publication for the state. The Georgia Travel Guide provides travelers detailed information on what to see and do throughout Georgia. The Travel Guide highlights each region and gives the reader a taste of your specific area.

Closing Dates:
Space Deadline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oct. 10
Materials Deadline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oct. 17
Click here to see details and rates!

AMTA Website

Need information on your organization changed on the AMTA website? There is a new form for new member updates and current member website changes.

On www.visitmetroatlanta.com you can:
-post your organization’s employment opportunities
-post specials and discounts for the hospitality industry or for tourists
-post press releases to keep the hospitality industry and tourists updated with the latest news on your organization
-post event information to receive more exposure for events from local hotels, hospitality personnel and tourists

And remember, the new Members Only section of the AMTA website holds secured information such as Meeting Minutes, AMTA logos for promotional use, sales leads, and previous Member Memos.

*Note there is a new web listing form: 
If you need / would like to make changes to your organization’s listing or add a listing to the AMTA website, please use this form:  
amta-info-form.html

2008 Southern Living Readers Choice Awards

Deadline Approaching!
Ballots are closing soon for the 2008 Southern Living Readers Choice Awards.  Visit the magazine’s website, register and then vote for your favorite city, small town, family destination, weekend getaway, hotel, beach, festival/fair, scenic view, and public garden, plus preferred restaurants for breakfast/brunch, splurging and southern favorites.  Deadline for entries is July 21.  Results will be published in the January 2009 issue of Southern Living Magazine.

Visit here to REGISTER & VOTE

Thanks!
Brittney Warnock Gray

Upcoming Events:

JULY Events

Sandy Springs Events:

July 26
Sandy Springs Summer Splash- Enjoy a six mile float on the Chattahoochee River from Morgan Falls Dam to Powers Island. Following the float, until 4 p.m., there will be food, live music, crafts for kids, wildlife programs, exhibits, and a self-guided buzzard hike.  Registration Required:  Call 678-538-1200 to register.  If boat rentals are necessary, please visit www.nps.gov/chat.

July 28-31         
A Knock Out Lacrosse Camp for boys 7-17 will be held at Hammond Park (Sandy Springs). Register at www.nedbowenlacrossecamp.com  Free beginner Lacrosse clinics for boys and girls will be held every Sunday in July at 3 p.m. at Sandy Springs Middle School. A Lacrosse camp for boys and girls from grades 5-12 will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays in July at the Sandy Springs Middle School. Visit  www.sandyspringslax.com  for information or phone 866-511-7742.

Chattahoochee Nature Center Events:

July 19
Enjoy a Night Hike from 8:00 – 10:00 PM. Ages 5 and up. Join a naturalist on a journey outdoors to see what happens at night at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Visit with a nocturnal animal, and enjoy a summer campfire! $8 non-members/$6 members. Visit www.chattnaturecenter.com for more information.

July 20
Family Canoe Day from 12:00 – 1:30 PM. Ages 5 & up. $15 non-members/$10 members. Pre-registration required. Join us to discover the basics of canoeing.  Learn about canoes and how to paddle them. Then use what you’ve learned as you practice safely on the CNC pond.  Spaces fill fast so register early at scheduling@chattnaturecenter.com or (770) 992-2055 ext. 237.

July 26
Infant Walk from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM.  Ages Birth – 2 years. Join a CNC naturalist to discover ways you can connect your infant to the wonders of nature. Find out what plants are okay to touch, great places to explore shapes, and connect with other parents. $15 non-members/$5 members (price per family). Pre-registration required. Go to www.chattnaturecenter.com for more information.

Animal Encounter – Additional Summer Time!
Every Thursday and Friday in July at 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM
July is a wonderful time for an outdoor adventure at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Learn about the native wildlife living at CNC through a 30-minute live animal presentation. Every Thursday and Friday in July at 4:00 PM. All ages. General admission: $5 adults, $4 seniors, $2 children 3-12, FREE for members and children 2 and under. Go to www.chattnaturecenter.com  for more information.

 
Naturalist-Led Canoe Trips
Every Thursday – Sunday in July, 6:00 PM – Dusk
Additional Saturday Trips – 8:30 AM

Ages 6 & up. $30 non-members/$25 members (save $5 per person on Thursday trips). Pre-registration required.

This is a fantastic way to unwind from the daily hustle and bustle of suburban life, or to entertain family and friends. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience one of metro Atlanta’s best-kept secrets! Each canoe trip is led by a CNC naturalist, and offers a unique introduction to the ecology of the Chattahoochee River. Participants are expected to be an active part of this program. Register as soon as possible, as spaces fill fast. To register, e-mail us at scheduling@chattnaturecenter.com, or call (770) 992-2055 ext. 237. Go to www.chattnaturecenter.com  for more information.

Raptor Mealtime
Every Tuesday and Saturday in July at 2:00 PM.
Join our wildlife staff or volunteers to learn the in’s and out’s of our raptors’ diets as you join them during feedings. You will find out just what our great horned owl and red-shouldered hawks eat! General admission: $5 adults, $4 seniors, $2 children 3-12, FREE for members and children 2 and under. Go to www.chattnaturecenter.com  for more information.