08-01-08

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). Chuck Roberts, CNN News Anchor, 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 and beverages. 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.

Click here to read more about Chuck Roberts, CNN News Anchor.

Kimberly Gild, originally from Westchester County, New York. Her background is in advertising and marketing. Most recently she helped launch the Atlanta based Destination Club Equity Estates.  She has been an advertising sales rep for Allure Magazine and Gourmet Magazine and has also worked in sales and marketing for Backroads, a company based in Berkeley, CA offering upscale biking, hiking and multisport trips in many locations around the world.

In March 2008, Kim joined the staff at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, as Facility Rental and Group Tours Sales Manager, she manages the five-person Special Events Department and handles all corporate events, weddings and receptions. As well, group tours fall under her capable direction, along with the promotions and advertising for these events. Currently, the Garden offers eleven flower-filled locations, both indoors and out, to accommodate groups of all sizes.

Kim’s goal is to capitalize on the new parking facility coming in April 2009 with some dynamic new rental spaces associated with the new, LEED-certified Visitor Center and new gardens of the Garden’s green expansion. Kim believes these improvements have the potential to double her sales in the coming years.

Many social events lure visitors into the Garden, and once they see it, they come back again and again. SunTrust Concerts in the Garden sell out each summer, Cocktails in the Garden provide some “social irrigation” and a weekly opportunity to see and be seen in the cool of the evening, while Fest of Ale celebrates Octoberfest. Winter becomes accessible with Orchid Daze, an exhibition of fragrant species orchids and beautiful art each January through March. For more information, or to book your event, check the many classes, symposia and holiday events on line at http://www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.

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

Job Opportunity:

Position: Tourism Director/Coordinator

Reports to: Board of Directors

Status:   Exempt

Position Description

Responsible for the planning, developing and implementing tourism activities within the guidelines outlined by state statute for the City of McDonough, GA.  These duties include, but are not limited to the following activities:

1. Day to day operations of the Tourism Office
2. Creating and maintaining systems that hold statistical data related to visitor inquiries and responses from specific advertising, promotion and other types of medias or events
3. Coordination and development of all promotion and advertising campaigns in support of the tourism program
4. Direction of individual and group tours in any identified customer areas
5. Planning, organizing and execution of the tourism program as agreed and prescribed by customers and the Board of Directors
6. Planning, creating and executing specific campaigns in support of tourism
7. Developing creative media in support of tourism campaigns
8. Developing, maintaining and execution of budget systems, reports using established software of systems
9. Organizing, presenting monthly, quarterly, annual briefings, reports, budgets and surveys
10. Create requests for proposals for acquiring services
11. Oversee donations
12. Coordinate volunteers for activities and actions in support of tourism
13. Create strategic communication for politicians, the Board of Directors and other interested parties in support of tourism
14. Create and execute necessary public notices and meetings
15. Secure and protect assets owned or operated by the tourism office

Click here to read the full job description and to get contact info.

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

Upcoming Events:

JULY Events

Chattahoochee Nature Center Events:

Animal Encounter – Additional Summer Time!
Every Thursday and Friday in August at 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. 30-minute live animal presentation. $5 adults, $4 seniors, $2 children 3-12, FREE for members and children 2 and under. Go to www.chattnaturecenter.com http://www.chattnaturecenter.com for more information.

Guided Hikes
Every Saturday and Sunday in August at 1:00 and 3:00 PM. Journey through the CNC trails, using biofacts and activities to spark your “natural” curiosity. $5 adults, $4 seniors, $2 children 3-12, FREE for members and children 2 and under. Go to www.chattnaturecenter.com http://www.chattnaturecenter.com for more information.

Naturalist-Led Canoe Trips
Every Thursday – Sunday in August, 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. To register, e-mail us at scheduling@chattnaturecenter.com, or call (770) 992-2055 ext. 237. Go to www.chattnaturecenter.com http://www.chattnaturecenter.com for more information.

Raptor Mealtime
Every Tuesday and Saturday in August at 2:00 PM. Join the wildlife staff or volunteers to learn the in’s and out’s of our raptors’ diets as you join them during feedings. $5 adults, $4 seniors, $2 children 3-12, FREE for members and children 2 and under. Go to www.chattnaturecenter.com http://www.chattnaturecenter.com for more information.

The Clean-Up Crew
Every Saturday and Sunday in August at 2:00 PM. All ages. Head out to the Chattahoochee Nature Center, and learn all about those often misunderstood birds – vultures. $5 adults, $4 seniors, $2 children 3-12, FREE for members and children 2 and under. Go to www.chattnaturecenter.com http://www.chattnaturecenter.com for more information.

Storytime by the River
Wednesday, August 6 at 10:00 – 11:00 AM. Ages 3 – 5. $5 adults, $4 seniors, $2 children 3-12, FREE for members and children 2 and under. Go to www.chattnaturecenter.com http://www.chattnaturecenter.com for more information.

Family Canoe Day
Saturday, August 9 from 10:30 – 12:00 AM. Ages 5 & up. $15 Non-Members/$10 Members. Pre-registration required. Contact scheduling@chattnaturecenter.com or (770) 992-2055 ext. 237.

Early Childhood Programs Open House
Tuesday and Wednesday, August 12 and 13 at 9:45 – 11:00 AM. $5 per family. Pre-registration required. Go to www.chattnaturecenter.com http://www.chattnaturecenter.com for more information.

Sandy Springs Events:

August 17
The Georgia-produced documentary, Awake, My Soul: The Story of the Sacred Harp, will be presented August 17 at the Hitson Activities Center across from the Sandy Springs United Methodist Church, 86 Mount Vernon Road. This program, which is an in-depth look at the history, music, and traditions of Sacred Harp singing, will begin at 4 p.m. Admission will be free. www.heritagesandysprings.org.