07-15-11

President’s Note

It is always a pleasure to hear from our members about how they were able to meet people, form partnerships and get business from being an AMTA member.  A few weeks ago I had one of our newest members give a testimonial about their membership.  This week I’ve asked a long-time member, Diane Stone of Projects Plus to tell us why she joined AMTA so many years ago and why she continues to make AMTA a priority.

Here’s what Diane had to say:

"Ask me what belonging to AMTA has meant to me and I will give you a quick answer. I joined AMTA soon after I started my business, Projects Plus, in 1999. My goal was to build a strong client base by telling others what I was doing. I attended meetings, served on the Board of Directors, chaired three committees and otherwise took advantage of every opportunity to be involved. Now, 12 years later, I have a solid network of tourism professionals to which I'm firmly connected both professionally and personally. To calculate the worth of that success is impossible. But I know it's far greater than what I have paid to be an AMTA member." 

What a great testimony of what you can get out of AMTA!  Thanks, Diane.

I am looking forward to seeing you all at the August meeting!

Warm Regards,

Beth Bailey, Clayton County CVB
AMTA President
beth@visitscarlett.com

PRESS ROOM

• Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Limo

AMTA Membership Meeting

DATE: Wednesday, August 3, 2011
TIME: 9:30 a.m. – Networking; 10:00 a.m. – Meeting
LOCATION: Atlanta History Center, Kennedy Theater, 130 West Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, 30305
MEETING HOST: Brandi Wigley, Atlanta History Center, 404-814-4000/404-814-4032

PROGRAM:
“Best practices and an overview of Social Media in Tourism”
Learn the latest and greatest ideas and all of the do’s and don’ts of Social Media.  Our panel of experts will focus on Facebook and Twitter.  This meeting is designed for both pioneers and newcomers to this important marketing tool.

SPEAKERS:

• Mr. Trevor Beemon, Manager of Digital Communications, Atlanta History Center
• Mr. Neville Bhada, Vice President of Communications and Public Relations, Southeast Tourism Society
• Ms. Rebekah Cline, Director of Marketing and Communications, Clayton County CVB

Driving Directions (Parking is free and convenient.)
FROM NORTH OF ATLANTA GOING SOUTH ON I-75:
Take I-75 South to the West Paces Ferry Road exit (#255). At the end of the exit ramp, turn left onto West Paces Ferry Road. Go approximately 2.7 miles. The Atlanta History Center will be on your right.
FROM NORTH OF ATLANTA GOING SOUTH ON I-85:
Take I-85 South to the Cheshire Bridge/Lenox Road exit (#88). At the end of the exit ramp, turn right onto Lenox Road. Go approximately 1.9 miles until Lenox intersects with Peachtree Road. (Landmark: Lenox Square Mall) Turn left onto Peachtree Road. Go approximately two miles. At the intersection of Peachtree, Roswell and West Paces Ferry Roads, turn right onto West Paces Ferry Road. Go through two traffic lights. The Atlanta History Center will be on your left.
FROM SOUTH OF ATLANTA GOING NORTH ON I-75 (OR FROM DOWNTOWN):
Take I-75 North to the West Paces Ferry Road exit (#255.) At the end of the exit ramp, turn left onto Northside Parkway. At the very next light, turn right onto West Paces Ferry Road. Go approximately 2.7 miles. The Atlanta History Center will be on your right.
FROM SOUTH OF ATLANTA GOING NORTH I-85:
Take I-85 North. (I-85 and I-75 come together in downtown Atlanta.) When I-85 and I-75 split, follow I-75. Take I-75 North. Then follow the directions listed above as "From South of Atlanta going North on I-75."
FROM DOWNTOWN ATLANTA WITHOUT TAKING THE INTERSTATE:
Go north on Peachtree Street (towards Buckhead). After approximately six miles, you will see a stone cathedral (St. Phillip's) that looks like it's in the middle of the road. Turn left onto Andrews Drive immediately before the cathedral. (Peachtree Road will curve sharply to the right at this point.) Stay on Andrews Drive for almost one mile. The Andrews Drive entrance to the Atlanta History Center is the last driveway on the right. If you get to the intersection of the West Paces Ferry and Andrews, you can turn right and the Atlanta History Center main entrance will be on your right.
FROM 400 GOING SOUTH:
Take the Buckhead/Lenox exit; this is the first exit after the tollbooths. Turn right at the end of the exit ramp. At the second red light, turn left onto Piedmont Road. Turn right onto Peachtree Road. Go about one mile and turn right onto West Paces Ferry Road. After the second light, the Atlanta History Center will be on your left.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Lawrenceville Ghost Tours
Now - October, Friday and Saturday nights, 8:30
www.scarystroll.com
Location: Aurora Theatre, 128 Pike Street,
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Phone: 678-226-6222

Lawrenceville, GA Ghost Tours highlights the most vivid stories of the strange and supernatural as a costumed guide leads ghost tour groups on a 90-minute adventure through beautiful Downtown Lawrenceville. Your guide will take you into the old jail, show you where the corpses flew down Honest Alley, and tell you other chilling tales will send a shiver down your spine. Ghost Tours, run every Friday and Saturday night from May through September with an expanded Halloween Schedule that will include tours every night in October.

Food Truck Wednesdays at Underground Atlanta
Wednesday's, 11am – 2pm
Location: Underground Atlanta on Upper Alabama Street
50 Upper Alabama Street, Atlanta, 30303
Phone: 404.523.2311
In partnership with the Atlanta Street Food Coalition, Underground Atlanta welcomes the popular Food Truck program every Wednesday.  A variety of Food Trucks will roll onto Upper Alabama Street to serve downtown office workers, students and residents their popular specialty eats and treats from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm.  For weekly listings of Food Truck Wednesday at Underground Atlanta participants, follow Underground Atlanta and Atlanta Street Food Coalition on Facebook.

PGA Championship History Exhibit 
Tuesday, noon - 8 p.m.; Wed -  Sun, noon to 5 pm 
Location: 11030 Medlock Bridge Road,
Johns Creek, GA  30097
Phone:  678.512.3200
Golf lovers everywhere are invited to view the PGA Championship History Exhibit, “A History of the Season’s Final Major,” June 7- August 14, 2011, at the Johns Creek Welcome Center. Admission is free. Visit www.JohnsCreekCVB.com for directions.

The Henry Players Celebrate its 20th Season
at Southern Belle Farm
Saturday, July 16, 6:30pm
Location:  Southern Belle Farm
1767 Turner Church Rd, McDonough, GA 30253
Phone:  770.366.0098
Join us at Southern Belle Farm for a Celebration of 20 Seasons with The Henry Players.  Hay Rides and the Cow Train for the kids, live music, unforgettable BBQ by Shane’s Rib Shack and a cash bar.  Call 770.366.0098 for more info and tickets.

KOOL and THE GANG in Concert at the Fred!
Saturday, July 16th, Gates open at 7PM
www.amphitheater.org
Location: Frederick Brown Jr. 'The Fred' Amphitheater
201 McIntosh Trail, Peachtree City, GA 30269
Phone: 770-631-0630
Kool and The Gang has sold over 70 million albums worldwide and influenced the music of three generations. Thanks to songs like “Celebration”, “Cherish”, “Jungle Boogie”, “Summer Madness” and “Open Sesame”, they’ve earned two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, 25 Top Ten R&B hits, nine Top Ten Pop hits, and 31 gold and platinum albums. Kool and The Gang has performed continuously for the past 35 years, longer than either R&B group in history. Their bulletproof funk and tough, jazzy arrangements have also made them the most sampled band of all time. Reserved Seating $45-$70, Lawn $40, Gold Tables are still available.

Farmer’s Market at Heritage Park
Every Thursday through September 2pm to 6pm
Location:  Jason T. Harper Event Center
at Heritage Park
101 Lake Dow Rd, McDonough, GA 30253
Phone:  770.288.7300
Come on out to McDonough every Thursday through September for the freshest home grown vegetables, produce and much more at the Jason T. Harper Event Center at Heritage Park.

Summer Entertainment Series:
Civil War Dinner Theatre
July 21, 6:30-8:00 pm
www.boothmuseum.org
Location: 501 Museum Drive
Cartersville, GA 30120
Phone: 770.387.1300
Join us on for a Civil War theatrical performance by members of the Buttonwillow Church in Whitewell, TN. Entitled Grandaddy's Watch, the show will highlight many of the misconceptions of the Civil War, inform attendees about the various battle flags created during the war, and will give an overview of actions by both the Union and Confederacy. Cost to attend the performance, which includes a delicious buffet meal, is $25 for Booth members and $30 for not-yet members.

Moonlight & Music Concert-
Eric Culberson Blues Band
July 22, 2011
www.visitlawrenceville.com

Location: Gwinnett Historic Courthouse
185 Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Phone: 678-226-2639
Enjoy the warm summer evenings at the outdoor "Moonlight & Music" Concert Series.  From May to September, on the fourth Friday of each month, free concerts are held on the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse lawn. Concert goers can bring a picnic or dine at one of the terrific restaurants on the Square.  Tables for six are available to rent. 
On July 22 at 8:00 p.m., The Savannah-based Eric Culberson Blues Band will be performing. 

James Casto with Bethany Olds and Pat Terry
Saturday July 23, 8:00 PM
http://www.homebydark.com

Location: Chukkar Farm & Polo Club
1140 Liberty Grove Road, Alpharetta, GA
Phone: 678-665-0040
Enjoy an incredible night of music on the beautiful 170 acre grounds of Chukkar Farm & Polo Club. A songwriters in the row event featuring Atlanta's James Casto with Bethany Olds and Nashville hit maker Pat Terry.

GODSPELL presented by RISPA
Theatrical Productions
July 27 - July 31
Location: Milton Center Theatre
86 School Drive, Alpharetta, GA
Phone: 678-620-3500
“GODSPELL” Conceived and originally directed by John-Michael Tebelak, with music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, "Godspell" is one of the biggest off-Broadway and Broadway successes of all time. Drawing from various theatrical traditions, such as clowning, pantomime, charades, acrobatics and vaudeville, "Godspell" is a groundbreaking and unique reflection on the life of Jesus, with a message of kindness, tolerance and love. July 27-July 31 at 7:30PM, July 30 at 2:00PM and July 31 at 3:00PM.

Douglasville Summer Sampler
Friday July 29, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location:  Cultural Arts Center
8652 Campbellton Street, Douglasville, GA
Phone: 770-947-5920
Come sample the finest wines provided by San Sebastian Winery paired with hors d’oeuvres, music and door prizes. Price is $15 per person, each evening.
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at the Douglasville Welcome Center, or online at www.downtowndouglasville.org.

Cinema on the Green – “RiO”
Saturday, July 30, 8:30 PM to 10 PM

Location: McDonough Square
5 Griffin St, McDonough, GA 30253
Phone: 770.898.9311
Bring the family, all of your friends and your blankets to sit and watch "Rio" on the big screen on the  McDonough Square. 

Cirque de la Symphonie: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Saturday July 30, 8:00 PM
website
Location: Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta, GA
Phone: 404-733-5010
The magic of Cirque comes to the Symphony! Marvel in amazement at high flying aerialists, daredevil cyclists and more acrobatic feats of wonder set to classical masterpieces and contemporary hits.

4th Annual Chattahoochee River Summer Splash
July 30, 2011
www.visitsandysprings.org
Location: Morgan Falls Dam to Powers Island, Sandy Springs
Phone:  678.538.1280
Annual FREE 6-mile float down refreshing waters of the Chattahoochee River. Grab your kayak, canoe, or raft or rent one from one of our local outfitters and beat the heat. Enjoy an afternoon of fun activities at Powers Island following the float. The whole adventure takes approximately three hours, depending on current strength and paddling. Hosted by the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Sandy Springs Hospitality & Tourism.
 
BRYAN ADAMS - “The Bare Bones Tour” in Concert
Friday August 5, 8:00 PM
www.bryanadams.com
Location: Frederick Brown Jr.
'The Fred' Amphitheater
201 McIntosh Trail,
Peachtree City, GA 30269
Phone: 770-631-0630
Bryan Adams is one of the world’s most highly acclaimed musicians whose career has spanned more than three decades. Constantly in demand, the celebrated rocker is on the road over 150 days a year playing rock n’ roll favorites (“Summer of 69”, “Run To You”, “18 ‘Till I Die”, “It’s Only Love”, “Somebody”, “The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You”) to sold out audiences on six continents. Adams namesake foundation funds projects supporting the victims of wars and natural disasters and other disadvantaged individuals and organizations. Purchase tickets online at www.amphitheater.org, or Monday-Friday (9-5) at the Box Office.

93rd PGA Championship, August 8 - 14, 2011
www.atlantaathleticclub.org 
Location: Atlanta Athletic Club
1930 Bobby Jones Drive, Johns Creek, GA 30076
Phone: 770-448-2166
The PGA Championship returns for a third time to the historic Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, GA for the season’s final major staged at the renowned club that was home to the legendary Bobby Jones. In August 2011, all eyes will be focused once again on the Atlanta Athletic Club as 156 of the best players in the world challenge the Highlands course to compete for the coveted Wanamaker Trophy. This will be a noteworthy year for the region in the world of golf, as it will mark only the 6th time that two of the Major Championships will be played in the same state.

Complimentary Shuttle to the 93rd PGA Championship, August 8-14, 2011
 www.johnscreekcvb.com/choice/lodging 
Hilton Garden Inn Johns Creek and Hyatt Place Johns Creek
Stay in Johns Creek for the 93rd PGA Championship and have access to a convenient shuttle that will offer service between your hotel and inside the gates of the Atlanta Athletic Club.  Complimentary shuttle service is available only to hotel guests. 

12th Annual TOUR OF FAITH
Century Bicycle Ride,
5K and 10K Run 
Friday, August 12 - Sunday, August 14
www.touroffaith.com
Location: Peachtree City, Georgia
Historically this event was a single day event with low to no activity outside of a bicycle ride on Saturday. This year’s event has created festival type weekend in Peachtree City including a concert Friday night and family activities after the ride on Saturday.

Tour of Faith Concert
Friday, August 12, 6:00 PM
website
Phone: 770.631.0630
Come out for a great night of music at the Tour of Faith Family Concert featuring John Waller along with many great local praise bands. Also appearing: John Waller Band, For The City, Quarters Road, Open Door Band, Jeremy Shaw, Soularize.

2nd Annual Heritage Sandy Springs Beer Fest
August 13, 2011
www.heritagesandysprings.org
Location:  Heritage Sandy Springs – Sandy Springs Society Entertainment Lawn
6075 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
Phone:  404-851-9111
Enjoy a tasting of international, American and local beers during Sandy Springs’ Annual event. Learn about the differences in styles and brewing processes and listen to some awesome, live musical entertainment. 4:00-8:00 PM at Heritage Green, on the Society of Sandy Springs Entertainment Lawn. Admission: $25, or $30 at the door.