- Shining Example Award Spotlight
- Shining Example Award Details
- Partner with STS in 2019
- Welcome New Members to STS
- Support our Scenic Byways
- Group Sales Symposium
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- Travel Media Meetup
- Connections: STS Annual Conf.
- Industry Jobs/Member Offers
- Top 20 Events for December
- STS Events and Deadlines
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Shining Example Award Spotlight:
Natchitoches Christmas Festival
Natchitoches, Louisiana
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Award Winner:
The Natchitoches Christmas Festival was this year's
STS Shining Example Award
winner for Top 20 Event/Festival of the Year. This year's event dates are November 17 - January 6.
Fun Fact:
Did you know the movie
Steel Magnolias
was filmed in Natchitoches, Louisiana? It is the hometown of its playwright, Robert Harling, and the Christmas Festival scene was actually filmed during the month of August. Can you imagine wearing Christmas sweaters and hats in 100 degree weather???
History:
The Natchitoches Christmas Festival was first presented in 1927 when Max Burgdorf, Superintendent of Utilities for the City of Natchitoches, Louisiana decided that the community needed an event to celebrate the Christmas season. He purchased enough 10-watt Christmas tree bulbs to string along Front Street and to make a set piece to display on the riverbank. No one is certain why Burgdorf wanted the lighting program, but some say that it was his way of saying “Thank you” to the city that he loved.
More History
Today:
The Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights is a 45 night celebration of lights, fun and festivities set along the backdrop of downtown Historic Natchitoches and Cane River Lake. Cane River is illuminated by more than 300,000 twinkling lights and 100 set pieces. This annual event draws over 400,000 visitors each year during a six week period and provides nearly $4.5 million in economic impact to Natchitoches through hotel occupancy, restaurant and retail sales, and local holiday vendors. Visitors during the holiday season enjoy live entertainment, food vendors and activities along the riverbank, and a spectacular fireworks show over Cane River Lake that takes place each Saturday through December 31. For more details,
visit their website here.
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Natchitoches
NSU Christmas Gala
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Jill Leo of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival accepts the STS Shining Example Award along with Arlene Gould, Executive Director of the Natchitoches CVB
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Lights illuminate Cane River
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Shining Example Award Details:
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Nominations Due December 31, 2018
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Spotlighting the Best & Brightest
in Travel & Tourism for the
Southeast United States
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Partner with STS in 2019:
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STS Connections' Sponsorship Opportunities
Now Available
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For Additional Opportunities Contact:
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STS Members from Louisiana enjoying the 2018 STS Shining Example Awards at Connections in Myrtle Beach, SC
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Williamsburg, Virginia
Thomaston, Georgia
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Support Our Scenic Byways:
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Ask Your Congressional Representatives to co-sponsor
H.R. 5158
Scenic Byways
are an important part of the tourism program for states and communities across the Southeast. In fact, all 12 STS member states have a federally designated
Scenic Byway
or All-American Road. Although the
National Scenic Byways Program
has been inactive for six years, it continues to hold support within tourism communities and Congress. Recognizing the ongoing importance of the
National Scenic Byways Program
, Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) and Rep. Ted Poe (R-Tex) introduced legislation, H.R. 5158, to reopen the nominations process for the
National Scenic Byways Program
. Please contact your representative by Monday, December 10.
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Links to more information
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Group Sales Symposium
December 5 & 6, 2018
Buford, Georgia
(North Atlanta)
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Join us in Georgia for this December Group Sales Symposium. Southeast Tourism Society, in partnership with the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, is bringing your team the tools it needs for successful sales. This event is applicable to any DMO, no matter the state they reside in.
More Details Here
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Save the Date
Travel Media Meetup
Daytona Beach, Florida
March 21, 2019
*2019 Registration Opens December 6 at 3pEST
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Spotlight Your Destination
Travel Media Meetup is an exclusive opportunity for travel and tourism destinations & attractions to pitch directly to invitation-only media. Space is limited and generally sells-out in advance.
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SOLD-OUT
for
December 6, 2018
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REGISTER FOR CONNECTIONS:
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Online Registration is Open!
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*Login with your work email
Early Bird Registration Ends February 1
Presented By:
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Industry Jobs & Member Offers
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Nov 6-Dec 29, 2018
Selma, North Carolina
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Dec 13-14, 2018
Thomasville, Georgia
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Nov 23-Dec 28, 2018
Fairmont, West Virginia
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Dec 1-31, 2018
Auburn, Alabama
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Nominate your Festivals and Events that take place in July, August, and September of 2019.
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One Meeting
Twelve States
Infinite Ideas
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Join us for our annual conference in Daytona Beach, Florida. Presented by:
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Since its inception in 1992, Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College® has hosted tourism professionals, for one week, each year, at the University of North Georgia. Students participate in a curriculum designed to teach marketing techniques from all facets of the tourism industry.
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The STS Congressional Summit on Travel & Tourism is advocacy in action. More Voices = More Impact.
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Do you have STS Member News?
Please email text and photo to
Wendy Thomas
by the 15th of each month for inclusion in the next STS Member Newsletter.
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