1:00pm - 5:00pm | Registration Open

Oceanside Registration

1:00pm - 5:00pm | Early Sponsor Setup

Ballroom FH

5:30pm - 8:00pm | Georgia Tourism Foundation Event

Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum
100 Stable Road, Jekyll Island, GA 31527
Sponsored by IHG Hotels & Resorts
Join the Georgia Tourism Foundation board of directors for the second annual pre-conference evening reception! Enjoy getting together with old friends and make some new ones in the intimate setting of Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum. Your ticket includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, access to the museum, and island-style live entertainment. Recommended attire: cocktail casual.

Tickets
Tickets are $150 per person and all proceeds will support Georgia’s tourism industry. Space is limited, so tickets must be purchased in advance. Georgia Tourism Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and contributions may be tax-deductible.

Attending the conference? You can add tickets when you register for the conference. If you’ve already registered, login to your account to add tickets to your registration.

Not attending the conference? You are welcome to attend this event even if you're not registered for the conference. Just visit the registration page, enter your contact information, and select the "Georgia Tourism Foundation Event Only" registration option. Email jmusselman@georgia.org for assistance getting tickets.

8:00am - 5:00pm | Registration Open

Oceanside Registration

9:00am - 12:00pm | Sponsor Setup

Ballroom FH

9:00am - 10:30am | Georgia Tourism Foundation Board Meeting

Ben Porter Oceanside Salon

9:00am - 11:00am | Professional Development Network (PDN) Sessions

Meeting Rooms 8, 9, 10
Pre-registration required. Choose from marketing, research, or visitor services.  PDN Sessions are open to partner attendees only.

11:00am - 12:00pm | Explore Georgia Partner Opportunities Lunch

Ballroom G
Pre-registration required. Box lunch will be provided. Open to partner attendees only.

11:00am - 12:00pm | Georgia Association of CVBs Board Meeting

Ben Porter Oceanside Salon

11:00am - 1:00pm | Lunch on own for conference attendees

Dining on Jekyll Island

1:00pm - 4:00pm | Exhibit Hall Open

Ballroom FH

1:00pm - 1:30pm | Conference Welcome & Explore Georgia Update Part 1

Speaker: Mark Jaronski, Georgia Department of Economic Development 
Ballroom ABCD

1:30pm - 2:15pm | General Session - International Travel: Current Landscape, Why it Matters, and How to Benefit 

Speaker: Christopher Thompson, Brand USA
Ballroom ABCD
Don't be scared by the thought of marketing internationally. Join Chris Thompson, Brand USA president and CEO for a discussion on the current global landscape, forecasts for inbound travel, and why it matters to your city or town. Learn how Brand USA promotes all destinations regardless of size and gain a better understanding of how your destination can benefit.

2:15pm - 3:00pm | Refreshment Break

Ballroom FH
Sponsored by AIRDNA Arrivalist and Georgia Humanities Council

3:00pm - 4:00pm | Breakout Sessions - choose one of two:

ATL Unguided: Where Legacy Meets Evolution - A Case Study

Speaker: Sheretha Bell, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
Meeting Rooms 1-3
Destination Marketing Organizations play a necessary role in building awareness of their communities, ensuring inclusion in the hospitality industry, and nurturing a welcoming environment for all visitors. Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) is committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility. Sheretha Bell, vice president of brand, will share their six-step IDEA process and case study of how their team developed ATL Unguided* — including how they worked with partners, locals, team members, influencers and agencies — and brought their destination essence to life, inspiring diverse audiences to discover Atlanta.

Follow ACVB's IDEA process from researching and gathering data, through learning and awareness, to establishing sustainable models for impact. Understand how you can further the well-being of your organization and the various communities in which you live through honesty/authenticity, hospitality, representation and personalization.

*ATL Unguided — a new twist on ACVB's original Heritage Guide and brochure — celebrating the milestones of Atlanta's fearless leaders alongside the progress forged by those tasked with continuing to create and tell the city's story.

Practical Tips to Boost Your Messaging

Speakers: Greg Staley, U.S. Travel Association; Cayla Cardwell, Explore Georgia 
Meeting Room 7
Discover the transformative impact of strategic communications in this fireside chat with Greg Staley, Senior Vice President of Communications for the U.S. Travel Association. In this session, Mr. Staley will share valuable insights and takeaways to help you elevate your messaging strategy. Learn best practices for communicating effectively with industry stakeholders and elected officials, using data to inform and strengthen your messaging, and tailoring the right message to the right audience.

4:00pm - 6:00pm | Welcome Reception

Oceanside Terrace & Ben Porter Oceanside Salon
Sponsored by Jekyll Island Authority
Join us for a delightful Welcome Reception, immediately after the final session of the first day.  Prepare to embark on a unique "Critters and Cocktails" experience, as the renowned Georgia Sea Turtle Center brings the wonders of the island's native wildlife directly to you.  Engage with staff members who will showcase fascinating teaching animals, including terrapin turtles, snakes, and more. Capture memorable moments with these remarkable creatures.  

Mingle and connect with fellow conference attendees, sip at the open bars, and savor snacks, while enjoying the serene beach views from the outdoor space.  Before you head out for dinner of your own choosing, immerse yourself in the allure of Jekyll Island's natural beauty and its captivating wildlife. We invite you to be part of this engaging experience, where learning, networking, and appreciation for Georgia's diverse ecosystem come together in harmony.

Evening | Dinner on your own

Dining on Jekyll Island

8:00am - 5:00pm | Registration Open

Oceanside Registration

8:00am - 4:00pm | Exhibit Hall Open

Ballroom FH

8:00am - 9:00am | Networking Continental Breakfast

Ballroom FH
Sponsored by Pineapple Public Relations

9:00am - 9:20am | General Session - Explore Georgia Update Part 2

Speaker: Mark Jaronski, Georgia Department of Economic Development 
Ballroom ABCD

9:20am - 10:15am | General Session - The Power of Insight Driven Marketing

Speaker: Simon Bradley, Simon Bradley Marketing
Ballroom ABCD
Sponsored by Miles Partnership
In a highly competitive marketplace, today's most effective tourism brands are built on a firm foundation of customer insight, going beyond facts and figures to harness the underlying emotional and rational needs that really drive behavior. So why isn't everyone doing it? 

In this session, Simon Bradley will show how you can gain a competitive advantage through customer insight. He will explore how you can develop actionable insights cost-effectively, uncover the emotional and rational needs of our target markets and apply customer insights in everyday marketing and experience development. This session will showcase some simple frameworks which can be applied to an organization of any size and case studies of insight-driven tourism brands.

10:15am - 10:45am | Refreshment Break

Ballroom FH
Sponsored by Adara

10:45am - 11:45am | Breakout Sessions - choose one of two:

Tools for Actionable Customer Insights

Speaker: Simon Bradley, Simon Bradley Marketing
Meeting Room 8-10
This breakout is a follow on from the morning keynote session, focusing on the practical steps and tools needed to become more insight-driven in your marketing and experience planning. There will be handouts for attendees to take away and apply to their organizations and plenty of opportunities for discussion and questions. During the session, we will work in groups on:

• Mining for Emotional and Rational Needs
• Empathy Mapping
• Customer Decision Journeys

In an AI World, Upgrade Your Content Using Classic Storytelling Techniques 

Speaker: Jordan Wollman, Miles Partnership
Meeting Room 1-3
Unveil the transformative synergy between AI and classic storytelling in this session tailored for tourism industry professionals and designed to guide you through the untapped potential of marrying AI with narrative artistry.

Discover how AI amplifies your storytelling impact while retaining authenticity and gain practical insights into integrating AI-driven research and writing techniques. Engage in a live demo, witnessing the fusion of creativity and technology, and leave equipped to immediately enhance your content strategy. Join us as we navigate the AI-driven future of captivating storytelling.

12:00pm - 1:15pm | Governor's Luncheon 

Speaker: Governor Brian P. Kemp, State of Georgia 
Ballroom ABCD
Sponsored by 365 Degree Total Marketing and East Point Convention & Visitors Bureau

1:30pm - 2:30pm | Breakout Sessions - choose one of two:

Who is the Georgia VIC Visitor?

Meeting Room 7
Speakers: Dr. John Salazar, University of Georgia; Dr. Ashley Barfield, Explore Georgia
Dr. John Salazar and Dr. Ashley Barfield will share key learnings from the 2022 Georgia Visitor Information Centers Feedback Survey, and how Explore Georgia will use the insights to benefit Georgia visitors and our tourism partners around the state.

Co-Branding: Elevating your Tourism Brand through Collaborative Products

Meeting Rooms 1-3
Speakers: Marcie Kicklighter, Golden Isles CVB; Jennifer Grimmer, Gilmer Chamber; Gabrielle Andrews, ATL Airport District; and Katie Williams, Visit Athens
Discover the power of co-branding as these panelists guide you through creating co-branded products that enhance your brand's image, reach, and profitability. During this interactive session, you'll gain valuable insights into the art of forming partnerships with compatible brands, both within and outside the tourism industry. Discover how to identify the right co-branding opportunities and leverage them to enhance your brand's image, reach, and profitability.  Gain a competitive edge by harnessing the potential of collaboration to elevate your tourism.

2:30pm - 3:15pm | Refreshment Break

Ballroom FH
Sponsored by Dotdash Meredith

3:15pm - 4:00pm | General Session - Building the Dream: Marketing (and Delivering) the Atlanta Dream Experience

Ballroom ABCD
Speaker: Morgan Shaw Parker, Atlanta Dream

Professional sports today is complex business. Yet, the age-old approach of adhering to the classic fundamentals of marketing and communications can refresh and grow brands of all kinds, even in the most competitive environments. 

In this session, Atlanta Dream President & COO Morgan Shaw Parker will share her journey since coming to the Dream in 2021 during a pivotal year in which the organization welcomed new ownership, new leadership, a new head coach and a brand vision to become the best place to work and play in all sports (not just women's sports). She will share how the Dream has promised a unique brand experience and delivered results, earning a franchise record 10 sell-outs (and counting) this season.

4:00pm - 6:00pm | Happy Hour

Oceanside Terrace & Meeting Rooms 4&5
Sponsored by  Golden Isles Convention & Visitors Bureau
Unwind and indulge in a refreshing experience with co-branded beers: Golden Isles IPA by Silver Bluff Brewing & Golden Isles CVB, Atlanta Dream Empire Vienna Style Lager by Arches Brewing & ATL Airport District, and Wide Open by Athentic Brewing Co. & Visit Athens. Sip on these unique brews (wine also available) while mingling with industry professionals and discussing the exciting possibilities of co-branding in the tourism sector. Don't miss the opportunity to network, relax, and celebrate the power of successful partnerships in a casual and enjoyable atmosphere. Cheers to the future of your tourism brand!

Evening | Dinner on your own

Dining on Jekyll Island 

8:00am - 1:00pm | Registration Open

Oceanside Registration

8:00am - 11:00am | Exhibit Hall Open

Ballroom FH

8:00am - 9:00am | Networking Continental Breakfast

Ballroom FH
Sponsored by Encore

9:00am - 10:30am | Joint House and Senate Committee on Economic Development & Tourism

Speakers: Chairman Ron Stephens, Georgia House of Representatives; Chairman Brandon Beach, Georgia State Senate; Pat Wilson, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Economic Development
Ballroom ABCD

10:30am - 11:00am | Refreshment Break

Ballroom FH
Sponsored by Blis

11:00am - 12:00pm | Breakout Sessions - choose one of two:

Craft a Compelling Social Media Strategy with Evidence-Based Content

Speaker: Jenny Li Fowler, MIT
Meeting Rooms 1-3
In this session, Jenny will give you a proven framework to build a solid social media strategy and approaches to level-up your strategy. We will go over what to look for in your current content to help inform future decisions to create content that better resonates with your audience, and we will discuss how to use your social media channels to listen and monitor your audience as a way of engaging with them.

The U.S. Civil Rights Trail: What Is It and How Do You Get Involved?

Speakers: Kelsey Anderson and Caroline Quandt
Meeting Room 7
The United States Civil Rights Trail is a collection of churches, courthouses, schools, museums and other landmarks across 15 states that played a pivotal role in advancing social justice in the 1950s and 1960s, shifting the course of history. In this session, attendees will gain a better understanding of what the U.S. Civil Rights Trail is, how they can get involved with and become a part of the trail, and how marketing is used to keep this important part of history alive.

12:15pm - 1:30pm | Closing Luncheon & Explore Georgia Update Part 3

Speaker: Mark Jaronski, Georgia Department of Economic Development
Ballroom ABCD

1:30pm | Adjourn