Tourism remains steady in Conyers

CONYERS—The hospitality industry is thriving in Conyers and officials say they are optimistic they will beat last year’s tourism numbers.

This month, the City of Conyers joined the Conyers Convention and Visitors Bureau (CCVB) in observing National Travel and Tourism Week.

Conyers encouraged employees in the hospitality field to wear red on May 8 to show support for the jobs and economic impact created by visitors.

“In 2011, the Conyers Welcome Center welcomed just shy of 8,900 visitors to Conyers,” said Tourism Manager Harriet Gattis. “We are still waiting for the final tally of 2011 numbers from the state, but 2010 figures tell us that Rockdale County realized $106 million in direct tourists’ spending, created and sustained over 1,200 jobs and generated $3.1 million in local tax revenues. Those are impressive numbers we’re pleased to share and hope to improve on in the year ahead.”

Officials say tourism has remained steady over the last three years, despite the nation’s see-saw economy. In 2009, the county welcomed 8,381 visitors to Conyers who spent $100.43 million, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s latest statistics. In 2010, the county had 8,552 visitors.

“Tourism and travel really impact our local and state economy. We have one-of-a-kind attractions like the Walk of Heroes Veterans War Memorial, the Georgia Internationa5l Horse Park, and athletic facilities that draw tourists, tournaments and shows here, and then everyone else benefits from the money spent in the community,” said Conyers Mayor Randy Mills. “It’s a huge win for everyone involved.”

During National Travel and Tourism Week, May May 7-11, the Conyers Welcome Center thanked visitors with complimentary refreshments and postcards featuring Conyers attractions. Conyers was one of the few cities that publicized promoting the week with activities. Visitors were encouraged to write a note on a postcard and mail it to a friend or family member encouraging them to visit Conyers, officials said.

Representatives from the CCVB and the Conyers Welcome Center also made stops at 15 hotel properties to thank hotel staff for their part in welcoming and hosting visitors to Conyers.

On May 16, 7 p.m., Mayor Randy Mills, will proclaim “Tourism Week” in Conyers at the regularly scheduled City Council Meeting. A copy of the proclamation will also be provided to each of the community’s hotels and attractions as well.

Meanwhile, the Conyers Main Street Program is encouraging both, visitors and local residents, to get to know Olde Town Conyers by offering a “passport” as part of Preservation Month, also observed in the month of May, and sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation,.

The Olde Town Conyers Passports are available at the Conyers Welcome Center. With the passport, participants are encouraged to visit eight stops in Conyers, take a picture in front of each monument and put the pictures with the passport for a chance to win up to $200 in prizes.

“We call it a Swag Pack. It’s comprised of gift cards from local restaurants and items from local shop keepers in the city,” said Magan Jenkins, assistant at the Conyers Main Street Program and Welcome Center. “There are so many great things to discover in Conyers like the botanical garden and ‘the Dinky,’ a 1905 Rogers Steam Locomotive, that we know participants will have fun and learn some interesting facts about the city we call home.”

Jenkins said you don’t have to actually print the pictures. You can save the pictures to a CD-ROM and bring it in with your passport. Cell phone pictures will also be accepted. The winner of the passport activity will be announced on May 31, via Facebook at http://tiny.cc/OTCMainStreet, on Twitter, @OldeTownConyers, as well as online at www.visitconyersga.com.

For more information on the passport program and other tourists’ programs, call the Conyers Convention and Visitors Bureau at 770-929-4270 or the Conyers Welcome Center at 770-602-2606. You can also visit www.visitconyersga.com.

Georgia Tourism By the Numbers

According to the U.S. Travel Association’s 2011 data, travel and tourism ienerated $1.9 trillion in economic output, with $813 billion spent directly by domestic and international travelers that spurred an additional $1.1 trillion in other industries.

Statistics show that tourism in the state is on the rise:

DeKalb County saw $1.03 billion in direct tourists’ spending, and generated 30.88 million in local tax revenues in 2010 compared to $990.25 million in spending and $30.47 million in local tax revenues in 2009.

One of DeKalb County’s main attractions, Stone Mountain Park, takes in 4 million visitors annually. NTT America, Inc. reports that DeKalb welcomes 1,145 visitors daily.

Gwinnett County welcomed 3.2 million visitors in 2010, a slight increase from 2009, when 3.1 million visitors came to the county. The county saw $905.42 million in direct tourists’ spending and $26.51 million in local tax revenues in 2010 compared to $25.79 million in local tax revenue and $8752.31 million in direct tourists’ spending in 2009.

Fulton County saw $6.53 billion in direct tourists’ spending and $198.2 million in local tax revenues in 2010. In 2009, the county received $184.70 million in local tax revenues and $5.9 billion in direct tourist spending. Fulton County and the City of Atlanta welcomed 34 million visitors in 2009 and 37 million visitors in 2010.

In total, the state estimates that in 2010, Georgia had 115.9 million trips to and through Georgia.

Statistics for 2011 will be available in December at www.marketgeorgia.org.

Sources: The Georgia Department of Economic Development, NTT America, Inc. and the Convention and Visitors Bureaus for the county’s of DeKalb, Gwinnett and Fulton.

Business Calendar

Gwinnett Chamber sets Business After Hours

The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce will host “Business After Hours” on May 17, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., at the Parc at Duluth, 3315 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Duluth.

Business professionals are invited to network with Chamber members in a relaxed, after-work setting.

The cost to attend is $10. For more information or to register, call 770-232-3000 or visit www.gwinnettchamber.org.

DeKalb Chamber celebrates 2^nd annual APEX Awards

The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce will host its second annual APEX Awards on May 21, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m,. at the Holiday Inn Perimeter, 4386 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta.

The 2012 Business of the Year and the 2012 Small Business Champion of the Year highlight the awards ceremony.

George McKerrow, partner and founder of Ted’s Montana Grill, will serve as the keynote speaker. At the event, DeKalb Chamber of Commerce organizations are honored for exemplary standards in business development, employee programs, business innovation and for their contribution to DeKalb County and the Metro Atlanta Region.

Four awards will be presented: Small Business (less than 50 employees), Small Business (51 to 99), Small Business (100+) and Non-Profit of the Year.

The cost to attend is $50. To register, visit http://dcocapex2012.eventbrite.com or call 404-378-8000.

ABWA to host monthly meeting

The American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) will host its monthly networking meeting on May 23, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., at the Rockdale Leadership Center, 2826 GA Highway 20, S.E., Conyers.

The networking session is held to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition.

The cost to attend is $20. For more information or to register, call Patti Bryson at 770-918-1039.

BBA breakfast welcomes Coke sales exec

The Buckhead Business Association will welcome guest speaker Susanne Geldart Senior, vice president of Southeast Region Sales for Coca-Cola Refreshments, on May 24, 7:30 – 9 a.m., for its monthly business breakfast at the City Club of Buckhead, 3343 Peachtree Road, Suite 1850, Atlanta.

Geldart is responsible for leading the sales in eight states, including Coca-Cola’s hometown of Atlanta, along with Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Southeast region employs more than 7,000 associates and operates 50 distribution centers and 14 production facilities. The region, including its independent bottlers, is responsible for an annual volume of 450 million cases and $2.5 billion in revenue.

The cost to attend is $10. The price covers breakfast and parking. For more information or to register, visit www.buckheadbusiness.org or call 404-467-7607.

Shakers and Stirrers Atlanta—business networking mixer

Networking For Professionals (NFP), will host “Shakers and Stirrers Atlanta,” an after-hours business-networking mixer on June 5, 6 – 8 p.m. at Tantra, 2285 Peachtree Road, Suite 100, Atlanta.

Enjoy complimentary light nibbles and drink specials at a cash bar, while making quality business connections and mingling with top professionals in the business world.

If you reserve your spot online, the next day NFP will e-mail you the list of confirmed attendees to help you follow up with your new contacts. Bring plenty of business cards. Only those who sign up in advance will receive the list of attendees.

The cost to attend is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information or to register in advance, visit www.networkingforprofessionals.com. 404-228-7963.

Lithonia Chamber to discuss transportation

The Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce will present a forum on the transportation referendum at its “Third Wednesday Luncheon” on May 16.

The luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Fairfield Inn & Suites at Stonecrest, 7850 Stonecrest Square, Lithonia.

Officials will discus the July 31 transportation referendum and what impact it will have on the business community in DeKalb County.

The luncheon is $15 to attend in advance and $20 at the door. To R.S.V.P., visit www.lithoniachamber.com or call 770-482-1808.

On Common Ground News is an independent African-American owned community resource newspaper serving residents and businesses in DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Rockdale, and Henry counties.

These are the areas we focus our efforts in reporting on. DeKalb county areas consist of Stone Mountain, Lithonia, Tucker, Clarkston, Stonecrest, Decatur, Avondale, Estates, Eastlake, and Pinelake. Gwinnett county areas consist of Lawrenceville, Snellville, and Buford. Henry county areas consist of Ellenwood and Stockbridge. Fulton county areas consist of Atlanta, College Park, and East Point. Rockdale county area consist of Conyers.

The information contained in this On Common Ground News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of On Common Ground, Inc. For questions about redistribution or use online or print, call 770-679-5607.