News for May 13th 2010

TOURISM LAUNCHES $1.5 MILLION CAMPAIGN TO ATTRACT VISITORS TO ALABAMA’S GULF COAST

The Alabama Tourism Department is launching a $1.5 million marketing campaign to assure visitors that Alabama’s beaches are clean and open for business despite reports of isolated tar debris along the Gulf coast. State tourism director Lee Sentell said two television spots promoting beaches and charter boat fishing will begin airing Saturday, May 15 on approximately 50 stations in the Southeast and Texas. The campaign also includes an ad on the front page of today’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“State and local agencies are closely monitoring environmental conditions and specific water quality monitoring is being performed at more than 20 public beaches. Visitors should visit www.gulfshores.com for updated information,” Sentell said. “The Alabama Department of Environmental Management continues to serve as the lead state agency and is coordinating efforts for a wide range of state agencies that are providing response efforts.”  Local tourism officials expect 30,000 visitors for the inaugural Hangout Beach Music Festival this weekend at the south end of state highway 59. “We are expecting crowds starting at noon on Friday,” said Gulf Coast tourism director Herb Malone. “Between room reservations for Memorial Day weekend and the music festival, we anticipate hotel bookings to be on par with last May,” Malone added. Headliners at the Hangout Beach Music Festival include John Legend, the Zac Brown Band, Jakob Dylan, the Blind Boys of Alabama and Alison Krauss. Tourism officials noted that families can also enjoy Alabama’s attractions on the coast such as Bellingrath Gardens, the Estuarium on Dauphin Island, The U.S.S. Alabama Battleship and the Exploreum in Mobile.

 
Please see these Gulf Coast Tourism Web sites for updated information:

Edited: May 13th, 2010

Alabama Festival & Event Development Conference

Alabama Festival & Event Development Conference

June 11, 2010

8 a.m.-4 p.m.

There is still time to register to attend the Alabama Festival and Development Conference set for Friday, June 11, 2010 at the Wetumpka Civic Center from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Alabama Tourism Department, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, Elmore County Economic Development Authority, the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama and the River Region chambers of Wetumpka, Millbrook, Tallassee, Prattville and Montgomery. The conference is open to anyone interested in the organization, planning and promotion of events and festivals, whether big or small, and will feature a myriad of experts in the field.

Cost:    $25 per person

Registration material and additional information available at www.aum.edu/coned.

Festivals and Events are Big Business for Alabama Communities!

Come join us for this fun and inexpensive (but very valuable) one-day

Conference that will help you and your community:

  • Take your community event to the next level
  • How to better plan and budget for your event
  • How to get funding and sponsorships for your festival
  • How to “brand” your event
  • How to get publicity and advertise your event
  • Ideas for events and festivals you can do
  • Taking your event state-wide
  • Planning for 2011: The Alabama Dept of Tourism’s “Year of Music”
  • AND MUCH MORE!

 

    Directions to the Wetumpka Civic Center

For information or questions, please contact Amanda Brasington at  abrasington@elmoreco.org.

—

You are currently subscribed to masterlist as: info@treasureislandbedandbreakfast.com.

To unsubscribe click here: http://listserver.alabama.gov/u?id=420200.df4b98f88342c5ada5a0869c1d44ea1c&n=T&l=masterlist&o=49105

(It may be necessary to cut and paste the above URL if the line is broken)

or send a blank email to leave-49105-420200.df4b98f88342c5ada5a0869c1d44ea1c@listserver.alabama.gov

Edited: May 13th, 2010