National Tourism Week “Discover Great American Traditions”
The 25th annual National Tourism Week is planned for May 10-18, 2008 . Great resources such as logos, a sample letter to the editor, travel industry fun facts and talking points are now available on www.tia.org to help you plan local events and activities.
Also, please remember to let Collin and I (Victoria) know about any National Tourism Week activities that you are doing. We are in the process of creating a press release highlighting National Tourism Week activities to send out to the media.
GDEcD Update
The GDEcD will provide a gift basket from each of the 9 regions to be given away at the end of each finish line at Tour de Georgia (www.tourdegeorgia.com). We will have a Georgia Expo booth where we will conduct the drawings and we will also be distributing AMTA’s brochure at each of the finish lines at no cost to the association.
If you have something that you would like to donate for the Atlanta Metro basket (hotel overnights, attraction tickets, something from your gift closet) please send them to Brittney Gray (bgray@georgia.org). If you can send them to her by Wednesday (4/16), she would greatly appreciate it.
Nominations are officially open for the 2009 Top 100 Events in North America. Now in its 27th year, ABA's (American Bus Association) Top 100 Events in North America recognizes the best motorcoach-friendly events for the coming year. Don't miss your chance to showcase the top group tour events in your area. After the publication of the 2008 Top 100 Events ABA surveyed tour operators and asked "Do you use the Top 100 booklet in planning your tours/charters?”. The answer - 70% of the tour operators who responded said YES! Questions? Call ABA at 800-283-2877. For entry forms please contact kbaasen@georgia.org.
AMTA members: Feel free to send press releases to Victoria Jones to be included in the AMTA Press Room.
Missed the last meeting?
If you were unable to attend the last AMTA General Meeting please be sure to read the Meeting minutes posted on www.visitmetroatlanta.com. We’ll see you for the next general meeting on June 4th!
Upcoming Events:
MARCH-MAY Events
March 1- May 18, 2008 Atlanta History Center Traveling Exhibit:Tradition/Innovation: American Masterpieces of Southern Craft and Traditional Art
This exhibit celebrates the contributions of master craftspeople and traditional artists in the South. Featuring more than 130 works by 58 master traditional art and contemporary craft artists, this exhibit pairs art with a rich array of artists interviews, and stories. This exhibit is a striking complement to the History Center's permanent exhibition Shaping Traditions: Folk Arts in a Changing South.
April Events
April 18-20, 2008 Simply Southern Jubilee Bluegrass & Bar-B-Que Festival Live in the present, walk in the past and enjoy all things Southern! The event features a Memphis Barbecue Network sanctioned cook-off, bluegrass music, arts & crafts, children's area, good food and much more! Country music singer Daryle Singletary will perform Saturday night following the BBQ cook-off awards presentation. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 children 6-12 and free for 5 and under. www.simplysouthernjubilee.com April 18th 3 p.m. - 10 p.m. April 19th 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. April 20th 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Nash Farm, Hampton (I-75/Exit 221) (770) 957-5786
April 19-20, 2008 Barefoot in the Park- Gwinnett’s festival of fine arts, performance and flavors. This is the fourth year for the juried fine arts festival which includes a free children’s art park, live grassroots performances, beer garden, food and more! Free. Downtown Duluth. 678.475.3506 Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday Noon-5pm.
April 19-20, 10-6:00 PM 2008 Alpharetta Arts StreetFest: in Historic Downtown Alpharetta on Milton Avenue (678-297-6078). Presenting the work of artists from throughout the U.S., Arts Streetfest is a yearly celebration of the arts in Alpharetta! In celebration of the Alpharetta’s Sesquicentennial Celebration, the new Alpharetta History Walk will be available during the arts festival. http://www.alpharetta.ga.us
April 19, 2008 10:00 AM 10th Annual Touch a Truck: at North Park Football Fields in Alpharetta. (678-297-6130). Children can see, touch, & explore their favorite BIG TRUCKS. Featured vehicles include a fire truck, dump truck, school bus, 18-wheeler, limo, police vehicles, & more. Children will enjoy playing in the CONSTRUCTION ZONE where they can build their own creation with nails & wood. Free! http://www.alpharetta.ga.us
April 26, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM 'Family Reunion Workshop' Presented by Alpharetta Convention and Visitor's Bureau: at the Hilton Garden Inn (10975 Georgia Lane, Alpharetta). Call 678-297-2811 with questions. You’ll learn tips about the planning process; defining the “who, what, where & when” for your event; communicating; managing finances; reserving accommodations, facilities and vendors; scheduling activities; thanking, evaluating & celebrating your event. A complimentary lunch will also be provided during the workshop. http://www.awesomealpharetta.com
April 26, 2008 - 8am - 4pm Highway 78 Yard Sale - Search for treasures Along Highway 78, Temple - Bremen - Tallapoosa. www.villaricatourism.com
JUNE Events
Friday-Saturday, June 6-7 Penny McHenry Hydrangea Festival This all new annual festival will be held in downtown Douglasville. The event will include a formal ball, outdoor activities, garden tours, hat parade, home and garden expo, book signings and more! The event is named for the late Penny McHenry, founder of the American Hydrangea Society and frequent visitor to Douglasville and Douglas County. Stay tuned for more details or visit www.pennymchydrangeafestival.com.
AMTA Sales Opportunities
Mark your calendars for June 8-12, 2008! The cost to participate will be $500 plus your own expenses including accommodations and meals. We will begin our blitz in Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky. The blitz will continue through West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. This is a great way to make sales calls on tour operators and AAA offices in these markets.
More details to follow soon. If you have questions or if you are already ready to commit, please contact Barbara Mullin at 770-817-1414 or via email at mullinb@bellsouth.net
2nd Annual Hard Rock Cafe FAM Tour Mini - Marketplace (Mon. June 16 at 1:30 pm)
Vendors set-up / we provide 6 foot table / linen and skirted. Cost $100.00 per table for AMTA members only!) - Cost also includes dinner on June 14.
Vendors can hand out sales information, decorate table as they wish.
Tour Operators will have time to network with the vendors
Also, looking for goodies (approx. 35) for their welcome bags - if you're interested, please mail items to me at Hard Rock.
Jodi O'Gara Sales & Marketing Manager Hard Rock Cafe Atlanta P: 404.688.7625 ext. 25
AMTA COMMITTEES need YOU!
A great way to get involved and network is to Volunteer for a Committee!
Contact the following 2009 Board Members:
Meetings begin at 10:00 AM.
Please arrive at 9:30 for networking.
Members are not required to attend Board Meetings.
Questions. The AMTA office operates on a limited schedule. If you have any questions, please send web site email. If you need immediate assistance and do not receive it, you may contact a Board member.
MEMBER MEMO REMINDER:
The Member Memo will come out monthly on the FIRST and FIFTEENTH (or the closest business day after) so items will always be due to Rebekah Cline 2 business days before!! Please understand we can not include all special events.
National Tourism Week “Discover Great American Traditions”
MARCH-MAY Events 
Simply Southern Jubilee Bluegrass & Bar-B-Que Festival 
April 19-20, 2008 
April 26, 2008 - 8am - 4pm