Members-Only Opportunities

As a non-profit organization that exists solely for the purpose of “improving the economic vitality of the region by uniting all segments of the Travel and Tourism Industry” we are careful to protect our relationships with all those segments and work to encourage partnerships.

You will note that we have a wide range of responsibilities, but they can be narrowed down to: Networking, Advocacy, Education, Marketing, Recognition and Promotions. This makes it difficult to explain all who & what we are, but below are a few explanations that may help put you on the right track.

What are the benefits of membership?

Too many to be listed here, including networking, representation to policy and law makers in government, partnerships and substantial discounts on advertising, education programs and informative seminars and more.

In addition, many of our partners and members offer discounts and concessions to Society members… reaching out, being part of the STS family – it is truly members helping members.

Travel Advance® - The daily news briefing read by CVBs, state travel offices, leading hotel chains, attractions and other travel suppliers, is available to members of the Southeast Tourism Society at the discounted rate of $575 per year, $120 off the regular rate. To subscribe to TA, or receive a sample copy, e-mail your request to travadv@att.net, or call toll-free at 1-888-858-5024. Ask for the special STS rate.

TRIPinfo.com - STS corporate partner TRIPmedia Group, Inc. has given permission to you to link their copyrighted road maps to your web site at no charge. Have a look at their library. It only takes your webmaster a few minutes to add the link. Please be sure and drop a line to info@tripinfo.com to let them know when you have created a link. If you would like to add a map to the library, or be one of the featured destinations on the 34 x 24 inch STS Southern USA road map, click here.

weekendsrus - weekendsRus.com is the only travel website dedicated to bringing weekend travelers to destinations in the southeast. Marketers have the opportunity to upload up to 250 words of copy, streaming video, ten rotating pictures and a hotlink onto their very own page in the weekendsRus.com community. By providing a FREE page for Destinations, Events, Festivals, Restaurants and Attractions, as well as capping monthly costs at a maximum of $250 for lodging establishments, weekendsrus.com offers both a unique and affordable service. If you want to maximize your weekend traffic at little or no cost, go to www.weekendsrus.com and click on GET LISTED to register. Join our growing community.

Where To Go Next - Where To Go Next is a news distribution service via a daily e-mailed newsletter containing summarized travel news releases linked to their full text on WhereToGoNext.com and in its searchable archives. WTGN has 75,000 readers which include travel consumers, writers, editors and agents. STS members get a 20% discount on distribution of an unlimited number of news releases for a full year. Regularly $350 annually, now only $280 for STS members. Where To Go Next is also offering a $100 per person discount for any STS member who signs up to take one of their Provence Escapes tours next May (www.ProvenceEscapes.com). Phone or e-mail: 770-998-7800 or Rich@WhereToGoNext.com.

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Cooperative Program

With the STS cooperative program, members can save up to 40% off the rack rate on advertising. Members saved over $2 million from open rates in the past year. See more details about media that works for you – and saves you the cost of membership with one placement!

View the complete list of advertising offers.

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Other STS Benefits

Annual Spring & Fall Meetings - Two meetings each year focus on the educational development of members. Held traditionally in March & September.

Southeast Tourism Policy Council - Your voice in Washington. The mission of STPC is to encourage uncommon partnerships between public and private sectors, and advocate for sustainable economic growth and responsible environmental practices.

STS Marketing College - The premier program for the tourism industry in the U.S. provides a superior educational opportunity in a tranquil environment with classes taught by industry leaders and working professionals. Held every summer.

Top 20 Events - STS selects 20 events & festivals per month and sends to over 1,600 media contacts with a combined circulation in the millions. The Top 20 is great way to receive great publicity and recognition for your festival or event. Published quarterly.

Shining Example Awards - The awards honor the "best of the best" in several categories. Nominations open to member organizations only. Held every September.

Questions or care to offer a benefit to STS members? Chuck Bonelli will be happy to take your calls at 404.364.9847.

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Overview of Benefits

Working for you with "Escape to the Southeast" No Cost Listings:   An immediate benefit of membership where your membership fees can be accurately described as an advertising purchase with free listings valued at over $1,500 value - print & internet - with a reach of nearly 2 million consumers each year!  

Member listings here are 'no-cost' to the member, but have a total value of over $1,500 annually - bringing you more value for your membership dollar.

• Escape to the Southeast.com™ Consumer Web Site 100% Free to Members! Now online & marketed to travel enthusiasts around the world, promoted in STS communications, on companion web sites & endorsed publications with a call to action to “Escape to the Southeast™ ”! This site, www.escapetothesoutheast.com is dedicated to STS destinations, attractions, activities & accommodations, featuring hyperlinks to our members, the STS Top 20, contests and surveys.

• EscapetotheSoutheastTravel.com – Companion web site to our Consumer magazine, www.EscapetotheSoutheastTravel.com features editorial and stories from all of our member states.  Content rich – and oh so much fun to browse, this site is another way of reaching consumers with the group message of visiting our region.

• Escape to the Southeast™ Consumer eNewsletter – Sent to double opt-in registered users only (now reaching 5,000 monthly) this newsletter reinforces travel to the southeast USA and encourages re-visit to the EscapetotheSoutheast web site.

• STS Membership Directory - Distribution 3,000 including STS Members (500+); Tour Operators (1,600); SATW Members; Southeast U.S. Senate & House of Representatives and other Government Officials; PR & Advertising Agencies; Society promotions and recruitment. Listing is free and exclusive to members, and also includes STS consumer magazine, Escape to the Southeast, bound inside. Advertising space is available.

 • SoutheastTourism.org -  The Southeast Tourism Society Membership web site – Industry connections & useful information www.SoutheastTourism.org includes listings of STS member organizations with hyperlinks, calendars, information on programs, research, marketing and more – a valuable benefit and an invaluable resource.   

• Destinations2Discover.com –Business-to-Business (www.destinations2discover.com/microsite/?id=226) is the official B2B on-line marketing partner of STS bringing tour operators to destinations – both international & domestic. This comprehensive internet hub connects travel professionals and visitors to unique experiences and activities via a user-friendly site that proactively markets STS (and our members) via a diverse selection of destination research, trip planning and purchasing tools.   Be sure to look at the companion Consumer site Vacations2Discover.com (http://www.vacations2discover.com/microsite/?id=226) reaching out the traveling public around the world.