09-15-08

October AMTA General Meeting

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

“Networking – 9:30AM, Meeting – 10AM

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park in Alpharetta – Website for Directions: www.vzwamp.com

Judy Randall, a 25-year veteran of the travel and tourism industry, will present an update on Metro Atlanta’s Travel Trends and previous AMTA research. Judy, President and CEO of Randall Travel Marketing, has worked with numerous attractions, lodging, and destination marketing organizations throughout the United States and the world. Her writings and reports on travel and tourism marketing and promotion are well known throughout the industry.

Optional tours of the amphitheatre will also be available after the meeting!”

Cassandra Buckalew and The Marietta Trolley
Clang, Clang, Clang went the Trolley!

The trolley, the only regularly scheduled tour trolley in the Atlanta Metro area, explores Marietta from the vibrant downtown square, past grand antebellum homes to the battlefield at Kennesaw Mountain.  The tour, which takes approximately one hour,  highlights the Marietta Square, the Confederate & National Cemeteries, historic homes on Cherokee Street, Church Street & Kennesaw Avenue, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, historic homes on Whitlock Avenue and St. James Episcopal Cemetery.  Knowledgeable tour guides narrate “time travel” into the past.

The trolley, which is named the Uncle Ruban in honor of the first streetcar to run between Marietta & Atlanta, offers tours on Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday.  Tickets may be purchased at the Historic Marietta Trolley Company, 107 Church Street or at the Marietta Welcome Center, 4 Depot Street.  The trolley picks up passengers at both locations.  Private charters are available for group tours, weddings, birthdays, corporate outings and special events. 

For more information or to book your trip to the past, call 770-425-1006 or visit www.mariettatrolley.com. 

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. Georgia National Fair, Perry, Georgia [pdf]
   October 2 – 12, 2008
2. Birmingham Southern Women’s Show, Birmingham, Alabama [pdf]
   October 2 – 5, 2008
3. 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

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

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

• September 20, 2008 - Get Ready for Alpharetta Rotary FunFest 2008
• September 15, 2008 Hospitality Highway Recognized as Travel Attraction of the Year
• September 13-14, 2008 - Alpharetta Historical Society Honors Tradition at Old Milton Country Fair
• September 9, 2008 Alpharetta CVB Wins E-Challenge Grant

Upcoming AMTA Member Events:

Gwinnett CVB Annual Golf Tournament
October 1 at 11:00am
Bear’s Best Golf Course (Suwanee)
For more information or to participate please cal Rob Patton at 770-814-6042 or rpatton@gcvb.org

Chattahoochee Nature Center:
Nature Explorers (Ages 5 & 6)
3-part class on Mondays: September 15, October 13 and November 17 at  9:45 – 11:00 AM. $50 non-members/$35 members (price for 3-part series; adult helper required and admitted free). Pre-registration required. Spaces fill fast, so register early at scheduling@chattnaturecenter.com or 770-992-2055 ext. 237. Go to www.chattnaturecenter.com for more information.

Exploration Stations
Tuesday, September 16 and 17 at 1:30-3:00 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.
 
Family Canoe Day
Sunday, September 21 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, 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.

 
Night Hike
Saturday, September 27 at 7:00 – 9:00 PM.
Ages 4 and up. $8 non-members/$6 members. Join a naturalist on a journey outdoors to see what happens at night at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Wrap up summer with an evening hike at CNC, and explore the night sky inside our giant, inflatable planetarium, STARLAB. Go to www.chattnaturecenter.com for more information.
 
Introduction to Mountain Biking
Sunday, September 28, 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Want to explore the watershed in a new way? Come and find out more about exploring the various forests in the area on a mountain bike. CNC is partnering with the Roswell/Alpharetta Chapter (RAMBO) of the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) to provide this informative workshop about getting involved in mountain biking and exploring our natural world. Learn how to get involved and have fun! Ages 12 – adult. 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.  

Meet & Greet: Dr. Laurie Marker, Executive Director and  Founder of The Cheetah Conservation Fund
Thursday, September 25 at 6:30 PM
The Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa-Atlanta,  in cooperation with the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell present Dr. Laurie Marker , Executive Director and  Founder of The Cheetah Conservation Fund  on Thursday Sept 25, 2008 at 6:30pm at the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell. The evening will close with a reception of dessert and beverages.

This event is open to the general public, including children over the age of 9. The cost is 5.00 per person – adult or child.

Reservations for the evening can be made to Janet H. Russell – President of APTA- Atlanta at janetrav@bellsouth.net by Sept 23.