Now is the time to lean on your associations. When employment goes does down, membership in industry and professional associations generally goes up (source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jan. 4, 2009). Organizations such as STS are more relevant and important than ever as they help members weather the tough times and help employers find new, aspiring employees. An association serves as the voice of an industry, which means it gets listened to on stages big and small.Know that in these uncertain times, the Southeast Tourism Society is your resource for networking, support and ideas. Maintaining your travel industry connections is more vital than ever. We look forward to being of service in 2009.
The Heart of the Economic Matter...in the heart of Alabama
Bill Geist, Roger Dow, Dr. David Bronner, David Bohan, Roger Miles, Bob Stewart and Suzanne Cook headline this year's spring meeting conference in Montgomery, Ala., March 23 - 25 at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel.
More info: southeasttourism.org/spring Register online
Highlights:
✓ Registration is complimentary for new organizations (ask for details)
✓ Topics focus on helping navigate the current economic waters
✓ Tour of Montgomery
✓ Voluntourism project
✓ Numerous networking opportunities
✓ Meals included
✓ Registration fee frozen at 2008 level
Welcome International Visitors to Your Community
The Commerce Department says
39 million international visitors traveled to the U.S. during the first nine months of 2008,
an increase of 8% over the same period in 2007.
Are You Gaining Market Share?
STS can help you keep your resolution to maximize your advertising budget in 2009. Here are the approaching deadlines for STS co-ops that offer superb savings. Follow this link for more details about these and great opportunities throughout the year: http://southeasttourism.org/programs/coop.html.
STS can help you keep your resolution to maximize your advertising budget in 2009. Here are the approaching deadlines for STS co-ops that offer superb savings. Follow this link for more details about these and great opportunities throughout the year: http://southeasttourism.org/programs/coop.html. Travel South Showcase
Do you have a strong story to tell? Analysts agree that during tough economic times, it is most important to aggressively continue your sales and marketing efforts. Travel South Showcase is the only marketplace focused entirely on Southern tourism. Join Travel South in Kissimmee, Fla., April 4-8, 2009, to tell your story. For registration information, visit TravelSouthUSA.org.
STS Marketing College + Miles Media
A new partner for Marketing College
STS welcomes Miles Media Group as the Society’s primary “Partner in Education.” This partnership will benefit the industry as it commits its resources
to enhance tourism education in the Southeast and the nation. Miles Media is one of the leading U.S. destination publishers. Its areas of work include visitor guides, destination Web sites and e-mail marketing programs. Discount for STS Members
For those anywhere near Atlanta, the Atlanta Travel Expo invites you to attend its exhibition at the Cobb Galleria Center.
This is your chance to meet directly with hundreds of travel agents and destination and vacation rental property representatives from around the world. It is free of charge for STS members: just show your business card. Learn more about this Jan. 23-25 event at atlantatravelexpo.com.
Gas prices are decreasing, and your STS discount is increasing!
Don't miss the chance to turn American Road Magazine's readers' wheels in your direction. Upcoming deadline for the spring 2009 issue is Feb. 1. Contact Sara Wilson (877-285-5434 x 2) swilson@americanroadmagazine.com.
Southeast Tourism Society Webinars
STS Webinars are a bona fied hit with STS members and prospects, providing them with up-to-date information about our industry. A great way to expose your brand to more than 200 industry decision-makers is to sponsor these 45-minute sessions. Consider a sponsorship today. Contact Chuck Bonelli (404-364-9847).
Learn More About Destinations2Discover.com Destinations2Discover.com delivers your message to industry. Affordable rates and outstanding reach are just two of D2D's traits. Consider this: 149,248 active registered travel trade professionals and 632,484 registered consumer subscribers are looking at an average of more than 17 pages views per visit. Are they seeing you? Contact Franci Edgerly, franci@iti-marketing.com (912-267-1558).
If this newsletter does not look formatted correctly in your e-mail browser, please visit: southeasttourism.org/newsletters/eflash/2009/january/
