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In This Issue:

  • Member Spotlight
  • Fun Fact
  • STS Member Opportunity
  • Shining Example Awards
  • Advocacy Update
  • Welcome New Members to STS

  • STS Special Offer
  • Industry Jobs/Member Offers
  • STS Events and Deadlines
  • Top 20 Events for October
  • STS Corporate Partners
Member Spotlight
Anderson, South Carolina named "Top Trending Destination" by Airbnb

Anderson, South Carolina has experienced a 247% growth in Airbnb bookings since this time in 2018, which ranks them 8th in the world, first nationally.

Executive Director, Neil Paul, TMP, of Visit Anderson says "We've worked really hard here, and I owe a lot of the things we do here to my experiences at Marketing College."

Paul also attributes this recognition, in large part, to the hard work of people in the Anderson community.
Tourism Truth
STS Member Opportunity
All New in 2020!
Don't miss the opportunity to promote your destination and reach southeast travelers in print and online all year long. Reserve your space by Friday, October 25, 2019!
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Shining Example Awards

Shine a Spotlight on the Industry's Best and Brightest with an STS Shining Example Award. Deadline to Nominate is Friday, November 1, 2019. DETAILS HERE





2019 Award Categories

ESCAPE TO THE SOUTHEAST TRAVEL ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR   

TOURISM OFFICE OF THE YEAR (Two Awards)
Category 1 Budget < $1Million
Category 2 Budget > $1Million

STATE TOURISM OFFICE AWARD 

GOVERNMENTAL TOURISM LEADERSHIP AWARD 

STS TOP 20 EVENT OR FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR

BEACON AWARD 

RISING STAR AWARD 

BEST MARKETING AWARD
Category 1 Annual advertising/marketing budget < $100,000
Category 2 Annual advertising/marketing budget of $100,000 - $499,999
Category 3 Annual advertising/marketing budget of $500,000 or more

BEST NICHE MARKETING AWARD 

PARTNERSHIP AWARD 

**NEW CATEGORY** BEST LODGING PARTNER 

**NEW CATEGORY** BEST EPICUREAN PARTNER 
Advocacy Update
Twenty-Two Sites and Programs Recognized on the African American Civil Rights Network
Welcome New Member
As of October 7, 2019

Knoxville, Tennessee

STS Special Offer

Destinations International Advocacy Summit

November 12-14, 2019
Madison, WI

50% savings for STS Members

Use code: GoBadgers19 to register (code is case sensitive)
Industry Jobs/Member Offers
STS Events and Deadlines
Deadline: October 18
Nominate your Festivals and Events that take place in April, May and June of 2020.
November 13-14, 2019
Sandy Springs, Georgia
Join us in Georgia for this Group Sales Symposium in November. This event is applicable to any DMO or Attraction, no matter the state they reside in. 
November 14, 2019
Birmingham, Alabama
THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD-OUT. Pineapple Public Relations connects you with top tier media in a key market, in one dynamic event, that is a part trade show and part speed dating.
February 10-12, 2020
Little Rock, Arkansas
One Meeting
Twelve States
Infinite Ideas
July 26-31, 2020

Since its inception in 1992, STS Marketing College® attendees participate in a curriculum designed to teach marketing techniques from all facets of the tourism industry to earn their Travel Marketing Professional (TMP) Certification.

June 22 - 24, 2020
 The STS Congressional Summit on Travel & Tourism is advocacy in action. More Voices = More Impact.
Top 20 Events
The Barbecue Festival
October 26
Lexington, NC
37th Annual Fall Festival
October 19-20
Orange Park, FL
STS Corporate Partners
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Do you have STS Member News?
Please email your text and photo to Tonja Ray-Smith by the 15th of each month for inclusion in the next STS Member Newsletter.