Tourism Development Alliance of Georgia

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Tourism Development Allianceof Georgia

• GACVB
• Forsyth, GA
• February 18, 2008

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Tourism Day at the Capitol

• All 9 RTAs participated in the trade show
• Joint partnership between GACVB, GDEcD TDAG
• Joint Conference Announced
• Joint Newspaper, courtesy of GDEcD
• Resolutions recognizing GACVB TDAG
• Proclamation from the Governor

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Policy Priorities Hotel Tax

• 1)Clarify the language in the Georgia code that
  covers the acceptable uses of the Georgia
  Hotel/Motel Tax
• HB 1094 by Reps James Mills, Ron Stephens,
  Butch Parrish, Mickey Channell, Richard Royal
  Jay Shaw-
• HB 1074 by Rep Larry ONeal
• HB 1168 by Rep Larry ONeal

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HB 1094

• Grandfathers existing code sections
• Definition of DMO
• Policy for Bonded Indebtedness
• Defines Qualifying Capital Investment Projects
• 50 of increase required for tourism promotion
• Requires entire county delegation to sign
  legislation

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Tourism Funding

• 2)Increase funding, from 5 million to 15
  Million, for the tourism division of the Georgia
  Department of Economic Development to advertise,
  market and promote Georgia as a tourist
  destination
• Tourism Foundation Development Committee
• Barry White, chair
• Members Peter Bowden, Chuck Jones, Curtis
  Branscome, Dennis Kelly, Joy Walstrum, Charlie
  Gatlin, Kevin Langston, Fred Huff Gilda Waters

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Tourism Funding

• Goal Grow tourism budget by 15 million over 5
  years
• Measurement Grow visitor expenditures by 1
  billion annually
• Action Items
• RFI for consultant
• Secondary research
• Focus Groups
• Develop position statement
• Develop business plan with measurements
• Distribute plan to elected officials by July 2009
• Increase state investment by 15 million in FY-11
  budget

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Policy Priorities

• 4)Integration of Georgias tourism product
  development into the states overall economic
  development strategy
• HB 1193 - State sales and use tax aquariums
  provide exemption
• Rep. Mark Burkhalter has introduced this bill to
  allow the aquarium an exemption on sales tax for
  construction materials.
• HB 1129 Tourism Development Act
• Provides 25 sales tax reimbursement over 10
  years for qualifying projects
• HB 1088 Agri-tourism Signage
• sponsored by Chairman Butch Parrish and
  Representatives Ron Stephens, Roger Williams,
  Vance Smith, Mickey Channell and Earl Ehrhart
  will provide DOT and GDEcD the ability to develop
  signage for agricultural tourism attractions.
  This is in response to your request over the last
  few years, so please thank our friends for their
  efforts to address the need for improved signage
  for our tourists.

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Other Bills of Interest

• HB 393 Direct Shipping
• HB 1061 - Wine state license requirements
  direct shipment to Ga. residents provisions
• These bills sponsored by Reps Stephens, Ehrhart,
  Williams others would allow any licensed
  winery, wholesaler or retailer to ship up to 12
  cases of wine per Georgia resident per year.
• SB 427 SB 428 Jekyll Island
• Sponsored by Senator Chapman, these bills intend
  to limit the ability of the Jekyll Island
  Authority to move forward with a master plan.
  TDAG has a position of support on a master plan
  for Jekyll. Please visit www.rediscoverjekyll.com
  

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What Can You Do To Help?

• With elected officials
• Support them where they live contribute time and
  resources
• Support Committee Research Tours
• Attend Committee Meetings, Board Meetings
• Invite them to tourism events or just a cup of
  coffee
• Be a resource
• Be an ally
• When you need assistance
• Joy Walstrum
• 404-358-5634
• joy_at_tourismdevelopmentalliance.org