09-01-08

October AMTA General Meeting

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, October 1st at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. So, mark your calendar!

exploregeorgia.org

GDEcD Update

Hi Friends, Attached you will find co-op forms for five consumer shows. You will find pricing and contact info on each of the forms.

1. AARP Life@50+ National Expo, Washington, DC [pdf]
   September 4 – 6, 2008
2. Georgia National Fair, Perry, Georgia [pdf]
   October 2 – 12, 2008
3. Birmingham Southern Women’s Show, Birmingham, Alabama [pdf]
   October 2 – 5, 2008
4. Charlotte Southern Women’s Show, Charlotte, North Carolina [pdf]
   September 18 – 21, 2008
5. Savannah Southern Women’s Show, Savannah, Georgia [pdf]
   February 6 – 8, 2009

SPECIAL OFFER: If you sign up to co-op for all three Southern Women’s Shows, you will be granted last year’s co-op price. If you choose to participate, please contact Pam for pricing. (Her contact is pkruseck@georgia.org)

Thanks,
Brittney

Brittney Warnock Gray
Atlanta Metro Regional Tourism Representative
Georgia Department of Economic Development
404.962.4084-direct
678.640.4338-cell
www.exploregeorgia.org

2008 GOVERNOR'S TOURISM CONFERENCE - REGISTRATION INFORMATION

The 2008 Governor's Tourism Conference will take place September 10 - 12, 2008 in Albany. Combining the significant resources available to the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (GACVB), the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) and the Tourism Development Alliance of Georgia (TDAG), the 2008 Governor's Tourism Conference will bring all three organizations together for the first time, providing one unified meeting for our state's tourism industry. This dynamic conference will provide enhanced programs, excellent speakers and fantastic opportunities to network with industry leaders. The Hilton Garden Inn Albany will serve as the host hotel and main meeting location. To learn more about the conference and to register, click here.

Lavonia Welcome Center - Georgia for the Holidays

Soon the holiday season will be here and with that in mind, you’re invited to participate in the “2008 Georgia for the Holidays” promotion at the Georgia Visitor Information Center –Lavonia/I-85 South. In the past each participant was assigned their own day to set up within the center and greet visitors to Georgia. This year, since the traffic is down due to gas prices, things will be a little different. I (Pat Pierson) would like as many participants as I can get from Nov. 21st – Nov. 30th (except for Thanksgiving Day – we are closed). These are our busiest days!!!! Of course, if these dates are not good for you, we will set up another date. Times for the events will be from 10am – 2pm. This is a great opportunity to catch visitors as they are entering the state and let them know what is going on in your area for the Holiday Season! Please contact Pat Pierson at (706) 356-4019 or email ppierson@georgia.org to let me know what day you would like to come. Please bring your own table.

2008 MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL

Welcome to these new primary and additional representatives who have recently joined AMTA.

We are glad to have you!

• Newt Collinson, Collinson Publishing
• Abbey Harwell, Cobb County CVB
• Rebacca Baker, Fairfield Inn & Suites Atlanta Perimeter Center
• Elliott Murray, Horizon Hospitality Management
• Katrina Stroup, Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament

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!

Press Room:

• NOVEMBER

  • 11-09-08 The John Smoltz Foundation Hosts Charity Concert
    

  SEPTEMBER

  • Sept. 20, 2008 - Get Ready for Alpharetta Rotary FunFest 2008
  • September 13-14, 2008 - Alpharetta Historical Society Honors Tradition at Old Milton Country Fair
  • Marietta's First Friday Art Walk will return on September 5th
  • September 4-5, 2008 - Stone Mountain Park Celebrates Forty Years of the Yellow Daisy Festival
  • The U.S. 10K Classic this Labor Day Weekend 
  • 22nd Annual Art in the Park Festival - August 30 - September 1, 2008
  • Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau Calling All Amateur Photographers!

Upcoming AMTA Member Events:

GA MUSIC HALL OF FAME PRESENTS 'LIVE AT FIVE' AT ATLANTA'S HARD ROCK CAFÉ

For the second year in a row, The Georgia Music Hall of Fame is bringing its "Live at Five" performance series to Atlanta with a series of five Thursday evening performances by well-known and rising Georgia musicians beginning Aug. 28 through September 25. Performances will take place at 5 p.m. at the Hard Rock Café at the intersection of Peachtree Street and International Boulevard in the heart of downtown. Admission is $5, with proceeds benefiting MIKE, the museum's Music in Kids' Education program. To find out more, visit www.georgiamusic.org.

ATLANTA HISTORY CENTER WELCOMES OFFICIAL 2008 BEIJING OLYMPIC GAMES TORCH

The Centennial Olympic Games Museum at the Atlanta History Center adds a chapter of Olympic history with the recent acquisition of the official torch of the 2008 Beijing Games. The Centennial Olympic Games Museum is the only museum in the nation to display a complete collection of Olympic Summer Games torches.  At an estimated distance of 85,000 miles, the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay covers the longest distance of any previous Olympic Torch Relay. During the 130-day "Journey of Harmony," the torch passes through six continents, following principal points of the ancient Silk Road. The Beijing Olympic torch will remain in the museum's permanent collection. The donation is made possible with assistance from the Coca-Cola Company, a Presenting Partner of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Torch Relay. To find out more, visit www.AtlantaHistoryCenter.com.

U.S. 10K Classic

Celebrating its 15th year, the U.S. 10K Classic is truly an event for everyone. This Atlanta Labor Day tradition kicks off with a two-day outdoor festival and expo, featuring kids’ races on Saturday morning and a free outdoor concert Saturday evening. Follow that up with a 10K foot race for runners, walkers and skaters on Monday, a 100K Men’s Professional Cycling event and a 10K Women’s Cycling Sprint, then throw in a live concert at the finish line with Jordin Sparks, and you’ve got yourself an event you won’t want to miss. Check out all the details online at www.us10k.org.

Chattahoochee Nature Center Events:

Exploration Stations

Monday, September 1 at 11:00 AM-12:30 PM.
Ages 4 – 12. Visit the Classification, Conservation, Observation, Sensation, and Pollination Stations, and find out through hands-on activities about each of these exciting areas of our natural world. 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.

Storytime by the River

Wednesday, September 3 at 10:00 – 11:00 AM.
Ages 3 – 5. Using books, finger-plays, or crafts, our volunteer storytellers share stories about the changing colors of fall. 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.

Family Canoe Day

Saturday, September 6 from 10:30 – 12:00 AM.
Ages 5 & up. $15 non-members/$10 members. Pre-registration required.
Join us to discover the basics of canoeing.  Learn about canoes, how to paddle them, and safety issues. 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.

Grandparents Ice Cream Social
Sponsored by Brusters at Ellard Village and Roswell Crossing

Sunday, September 7 at 1:00-3:00 PM.
All ages. Help us honor our grandparents on Grandparents’ Day as we enjoy a good old fashioned ice cream social. The best part – grandparents are free! Donations welcome for others. 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.