Gulf State Region Corvette Caravan Brakes for Athens’ Eateries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:

Cayce Lee

Social Media Specialist

Athens-Limestone Co Tourism Assn.

Cayce@VisitAthensAL.com

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Gulf State Region Corvette Caravan
Brakes for Athens’ Eateries 

 

Athens, AL – Gulf State Region Corvette Caravan of shining, pristine Corvettes are not a stranger to Athens. However, you may not recognized them since the last time they rolled up Interstate 65 five years ago in 2009 with only 75 cars lined up. This group of enthusiast makes the long haul from all over the Gulf – Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida – for the pilgrimage starting in Mobile, Alabama to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY.

This time is a little different though. Caravan organizer, Glen Johnson, made a dry run up Interstate 65 looking for a place to accommodate the over 200 Corvettes for a lunch break in their tight itinerary. Athens’ EXIT 351 won the considerations after he discovered the Athens-Limestone Boulevard area with Ruby Tuesday’s, Logan’s Roadhouse, Applebee’s, IHOP and many other eateries..

Glen Johnson offers these words of appreciation and invitation to the Athens-Limestone community, “The 2014 Gulf States Region Corvette Caravan will consist of over 260 Corvette caravanning to Bowling Green, KY to celebrate the 20^th Anniversary of the opening of the National Corvette Museum. We are thrilled that Athens has invited us to stop and have lunch in a City that has always supported Corvette enthusiast. We invite everyone to come out and see the Corvettes and talk to the owners about the car they dearly love. We thank the City of Athens, AL for being so gracious in allowing us to stop in the city, and we thank the Athens Police Department for escorting the caravan into and out of the city in a safe manner ensuring the safety of our caravaner’s and the citizens of Athens. Thank you all so very much and we look forward to spending time with you.”

If you would to see the over 260 Corvette’s roll into Athens, they estimate their arrival at EXIT 351 at 10:45a.m this Wednesday, August 27. Their plans are to park and dine in the Athens-Limestone Boulevard area and adjacent properties. They will then be departing for points north at 12:00p.m. To learn more about the Corvette Caravan: www.nationalcorvettecaravan.com. For more information about the museum and events: www.corvettemuseum.org
 

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AMLA's "HOW TO WORK WITH TRAVEL WRITERS" SEMINAR RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 19

Visit our website **** AMLA's "HOW TO WORK WITH TRAVEL WRITERS" SEMINAR RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 19 Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association's free "How to Work with Travel Writers" seminar which was scheduled at the new Florence/Lauderdale Tourism Visitor Center on Tuesday, May 27, has been rescheduled for Thursday, June 19 from 1-3 pm at the same location. Georgia Turner, Communications Manager for Florence/Lauderdale Tourism, and her longtime colleague Laurie Rowe from Laurie Rowe Communications will conduct the seminar, addressing topics such as building a newsworthy itinerary and the "rules of engagement" while travel writers are in a community.  The new Visitors Center is located at 200 James Spain Drive, Florence, AL.  Registration is open at www.amla4tourism.com.  For more information, contact the AMLA office.   Travel writers at Helen Keller Birthplace, Tuscumbia,AL.   About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA) AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state. It is supported by 500-plus members consisting of chambers of commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, attractions, campgrounds, festivals, communities, counties, golf courses, restaurants, tour operators, accommodations, vendors, financial institutions and individuals. Counties included within the AMLA region are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston. Additional information on North Alabama destinations, accommodations and special events is available by calling 800.648.5381 or by visiting www.northalabama.org. Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association

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State Parks Give Alabama $375 Million Boost

 

State Parks Give Alabama $375 Million Boost

PRESS RELEASE



MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama's 22 state parks aren't just nice places to visit. They are also big contributors to the state's economy, a new study finds.

Visitors to Alabama's 22 state parks in 2011 spent an estimated $152.4 million, according to the analysis by professors at the University of Alabama. Visitors' spending along with expenditures by the parks system had a total economic impact of $375 million and supported 5,340 jobs, say Samuel Addy and Ahmad Ijaz of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama's Culverhouse College of Commerce.

The State Parks Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources commissioned the study. This year marks the 75th anniversary of Alabama's parks system. In 2012, state parks recorded more than 4.6 million visits.

"This study confirms what we who work in the parks system already know – that state parks are valuable tools to promote the state's economy," said Greg Lein, Alabama State Parks Director. "But the study give us real numbers for state parks' overall economic impact and the many public and private jobs that depend on them."

The economic impact of state parks compares favorable to that of national parks in the state. A recent report by the National Park Service said visitors to the seven national parks in Alabama spent $26.5 million in 2012 and their spending supported 381 jobs.

Lein points out that state parks must generate through user fees the vast majority of the money that pays for their operations.

"Our slogan is ‘Partners Pay the Way.' But it's more than a slogan. We really do rely heavily on our customers – campers, boaters, fishermen, bikers, golfers, etc. – to pay the bills. We want them to know their dollars count in the parks and in the state's economy."

The $375 million economic impact computed by Addy and Ijaz includes $140 million in earnings for thousands of people in various segments of the work force. State parks generate $10.9 million in state and local taxes, according to the report.

Lein went on to say that the report was an initial study that he hoped could be expanded in 2015 to include a survey of park guests to better understand their spending outside of the park.
The Alabama Tourism Department has named 2014 "Year of the Parks." From the beaches of the Gulf Coast to the Appalachian foothills, Alabama State Parks reflect every facet of the state's rich natural landscape.

Throughout this anniversary year, Alabama's 22 state parks will host a variety of hikes, nature walks and programs, dining and camping specials and various other events highlighting 75 years of service to the people of Alabama.

(SOURCE: ALABAMA STATE PARKS)

We're Back: Travel Jobs Fully Recover

Dear Travel Colleague: We end this week with the remarkable announcement that travel employment has returned to pre-Great Recession levels. This milestone, based on U.S. Department of Labor figures released today, leaves little room for doubt: travel is a job-creating powerhouse. Travel Jobs Roar Back Month over month, the industry has climbed steadily to recovery. With the 7,000 jobs added in January, plus a substantial upward revision to previous data, the travel industry now employs more workers than its pre-recession peak of February 2008. In fact, the new labor report reveals that we actually reached the milestone in October and have since gone above and beyond, standing 11 percent higher than the number of travel workers in 2008. In total, travel supports 14.6 million American jobs, directly employs one in eight Americans, and is a top 10 employer in 47 states and the District of Columbia. In a League of Our Own While it is our hope that the economy overall prospers, it is travel that has been leading the recovery, adding workers faster than other sectors. The travel industry has added jobs at a rate 19 percent faster than the rest of the economy, which has replaced only 88 percent of jobs lost during the recession. Unfortunately, sectors such as construction, manufacturing, real estate and finance are far from fully recovered. Continuing the Climb I am proud of our industry for this exceptional performance and our ability to provide answers to America's complex economic challenges. But there's more we can do. If further supported by responsible policies like the JOLT Act and reauthorization of programs like Brand USA that work for America, travel can contribute to a strong, upwardly mobile job market and create opportunities for all to succeed. Help spread the word that travel means jobs in your community. Together, we'll continue to drive our nation's recovery and put Americans back to work. Sincerely, Roger J. Dow President and CEO Join us @ustravel. Like us on Facebook.

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SOUTHEAST TOURISM SOCIETY ANNOUNCES SHINING EXAMPLE AWARDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE STS SHINING EXAMPLE AWARDS PRESS RELEASE CONTACT:  Tom Adkinson, APR tadkinson@bohanideas.com 615-341-8796 office 615-430-6947 cell Southeast Tourism Society Names Myrtle Beach Boardwalk Region's Travel Attraction of the Year Attractions, CVBs, Individuals Also Earn Shining Example Awards JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Nov. 5, 2013) - The 6.5 million, 1.2-mile-long Oceanfront Boardwalk and Promenade in Myrtle Beach, S.C., has received a Southeast Tourism Society Shining Example Award as the Escape to the Southeast Travel Attraction of the Year. The Southeast Tourism Society, which promotes travel in a 12-state region, presented 11 other Shining Example Awards as part of its 30th anniversary celebration in Jacksonville on Nov. 5. Three tourism promotion organizations received Shining Example Awards for their overall work: The Louisiana Office of Tourism was named the state travel department of the year. The Charleston, W.Va., Convention and Visitors Bureau received the award for CVBs with budgets less than $2 million. The Greater Ft. Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau received the award for CVBs with budgets greater than $2 million. In addition, the Governmental Tourism Leadership Award went to three jurisdictions in Virginia that recognized the power of cooperation and joint marketing. They are the City of Roanoke, the City of Salem and Roanoke County that united to support the Roanoke Valley CVB and its new tourism brand, "Virginia's Blue Ridge." John Dersham, executive director of DeKalb County Tourism in Alabama, received the Rising Star Award given to a tourism professional with fewer than five years in the industry  and Jim Wescott was the posthumous recipient of the Beacon Award for leadership. Wescott promoted the South Carolina Lowcountry for 27 years before his death earlier this year. Ruby Falls in Chattanooga, Tenn., received the Tourism for Tomorrow Award for its work in sustainable tourism. It was the 2012 Tourist Attraction of the Year. Festivals that won Shining Example Awards were the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival in Ocean Springs, Miss., and the Master Musicians Festival in Somerset, Ky. The top marketing award went to Visit Greenville in Greenville, S.C., for its "Yeah, THAT Greenville" promotion of the popular Carolina Upcountry destination, and the niche marketing award went to the Virginia Beach CVB for its work to promote wedding tourism. "The best work in travel and tourism wins Shining Example Awards, and winners are examples that others in the industry can follow," said STS President and CEO Bill Hardman. "Winners truly are shining examples in tourism, which is the largest, second-largest or third-largest industry in every Southeastern state." STS started the Shining Example Awards program in 1985. Here is the full list for 2013. Escape to the Southeast Travel Attraction of the Year Oceanfront Boardwalk and Promenade - Myrtle Beach, S.C. CVB of the Year (budget less than $2 million) Charleston, W.Va., CVB CVB of the Year (budget greater than $2 million) Greater Ft. Lauderdale CVB Top 20 Event/Festival of the Year (attendance up to 100,000) Master Musicians Festival - Somerset, Ky. Top 20 Event/Festival of the Year (attendance more than 100,000) Peter Anderson Arts and Crafts Festival - Ocean Springs, Miss. Tourism for Tomorrow Ruby Falls - Chattanooga, Tenn. State Tourism Office of the Year Louisiana Office of Tourism Governmental Tourism Leadership Award City of Roanoke, City of Salem and Roanoke County, Val, for support of the Roanoake Valley CVB and its new tourism brand, "Virginia's Blue Ridge" Rising Star Award (for extraordinary on-the-job performance by someone with fewer than five years in tourism) John Dersham - executive director of DeKalb County Tourism in Alabama Beacon Award (for demonstrated tourism leadership) Jim Wescott - executive director of the South Carolina Low Country Tourism Commission Best Marketing Campaign Visit Greenville (S.C.) for its "Yeah, THAT Greenville" campaign Best Niche Marketing Campaign Virginia Beach CVB for its wedding tourism campaign Chairman of the Board Award Alisa Bailey, President & CEO, Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau Spirit of STS Award Ron Kuhlman, VP, Tourism Marketing & Sales, Virginia Beach CVB __________________________________________________________________ About STS Founded in 1983, the Southeast Tourism Society is dedicated to promoting and developing tourism in its member states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Its headquarters are in Atlanta. The membership includes state travel offices, attractions, lodging properties, resorts, convention and visitor bureaus, chambers of commerce, travel media and other travel-related organizations. __________________________________________________________________

About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA) AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state. It is supported by 500-plus members consisting of chambers of commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, attractions, campgrounds, festivals, communities, counties, golf courses, restaurants, tour operators, accommodations, vendors, financial institutions and individuals. Counties included within the AMLA region are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston. Additional information on North Alabama destinations, accommodations and special events is available from the AMLA by calling 800.648.5381 or by visiting their web site at www.northalabama.org.

Southeast Tourism Society -- Bill T. Hardman

Bill T. Hardman 1926-2013 It is with sad hearts that the staff of the Southeast Tourism Society reports to you that Bill T. Hardman, the wonderful man we knew as Bill Sr., died Oct. 18 in Dahlonega, Ga. His good work for the tourism industry began in 1959 when he became Georgia's first tourism director. It will continue for many reasons, not the least of which are the Southeast Tourism Society and the STS Marketing College. Bill Sr. was a treasure and an inspiration. Everyone will miss his enthusiasm, his grand ideas, his smile and his friendship.  Visitation will be Monday, Oct. 21, from 6-9 p.m. at the Dahlonega Funeral Home, 20 Gibson Rd., Dahlonega, Ga. 30533, and Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m.-noon at Dahlonega United Methodist Church. The service will be Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 2 p.m. at Dahlonega United Methodist Church. Dr. Don Harp will officiate. There will be a reception after the service at the Cottrell Circle C Ranch from 5-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dahlonega United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 455, Dahlonega, Ga. 30533. There is a link to a memorial page at SoutheastTourism.org.