Travel South Conference Reveals What’s New In The South

By Ashley Wright

About 550 group tour operators, meeting planners and others converged in Birmingham, Ala., in April for the Travel South USA Showcase 2010, where they met one-on-one with suppliers and representatives from Travel South’s 12 Southern states.

During the event, I had an opportunity to meet with many of the state representatives to learn more about new developments in their destinations. The Alabama Tourism Department launched its “Year of Small Towns and Downtowns” in March with more than 200 towns and cities staging “Great Alabama Homecoming” events in 2010. A total of 215 communities have scheduled events throughout the year, which Edith Parten, communications director, said would make a great off-site event for groups to enjoy as part of their meetings.

The state of Arkansas has a focus on eco-tourism and agriculturism, said Joe David Rice, tourism director for the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. The state of Florida has new venues, attractions and festivals, including Hotel Indigo with 3,000 square feet of meeting space, which is slated for a spring 2010 opening in Pensacola Beach. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island has completed construction on a $22 million ballroom expansion that created 11,000 square feet of additional space.

Georgia officials shared information on the new Loews Atlanta Hotel, which features 414 guest rooms and more than 24,000 square feet of meeting space. In other Atlanta news, the former Macy’s department store at 180 Peachtree St. will be converted into an 18,000-square-foot exhibition hall by the end of the year.

Many of Kentucky’s state parks are seeking out meetings business, said Mike Cooper, Kentucky Department of Tourism commissioner, especially for incentive groups.

The state of Mississippi is promoting its heritage through two music trails, including the new Country Music Trail that it is developing.

In North Carolina, the 107,000-square-foot Willington Convention Center is slated to open this fall.

South Carolina is anticipating the new State Farmer’s Market in Lexington County, which will offer demonstrations from visiting chefs in an exhibition kitchen, on-site restaurants, a 400-seat amphitheater and a 200-seat conference center when it opens later this year.

Tennessee is focusing on sustainability initiatives and held a sustainability summit in Knoxville last year, said Cindy Dupree, communications director for the Tennessee Department of Tourism. “It really helped launch Tennessee into sustainable tourism,” she said. In fact, the Mayfield Dairy Farm in Chattanooga grows vegetables just for the convention center.”

In Virginia, more sporting events are being held in the state, said Alisa Bailey, president/CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation, especially the smaller destinations.

West Virginia is welcoming more religions meetings, said Betty Carver, West Virginia Division of Tourism commissioner, because it is a cost-effective destination. Many convention and visitors bureaus are marking more to religious groups. In venue news, the Morgantown (W.Va.) Event Center recently opened at the Waterfront Place Hotel and offers more than 30,000 square feet of meeting space.