Tourism Leadership Council - Annual Report 2014 by Tourism Leadership Council

touriSM lEAdErShip council

ANNUAL REPORT

TLC

TOUR I S M

VISION • ADVOC ACY• AC T I ON

2014

ear Tourism Partner,

We saw solid progress at the Tourism Leadership Council in 2014. We were busy pushing that mission forward with new programs and the continuation of our proven programs. This annual report outlines our progress. At the helm of the TLC, we have strong leadership in place with a Board of Directors made up of industry professionals and decision-makers that represents varied sects that make up our tourism community in the Coastal Empire. As our industry changes and grows, our Board of Directors and our organization need to respond in an efficient manner. Leading the charge was Chairman Greg Kelly who spent a good deal of his tenure ensuring that the organization moves as quickly as our vibrant industry. The Tourism Leadership Council exists to advocate and educate the tourism community. We measure success by how well we are able to do this. We successfully advocated on behalf of short-term rental owners to get better city ordinances in place. We fought for fair practices on the city’s alcohol ordinance rewrite. We worked with a host of community organizations to put together a comprehensive ambassador program for the community to consider. We held several educational workshops at schools, community centers, and in our office. This was the second year of Savannah Food & Wine Festival and we saw an influx of people, who spent $5.1 million in Savannah during a typically slow period in the tourism community. To date, we have been able to award more than $60,000 in scholarships at the annual Tourism Awards and Scholarship Dinner. We also held a successful TLC golf tournament that raised money for the organization and the scholarship fund. The TLC staff of five carried out all programs with tenacity and vigor. Like so many of you, the staff often worked nights and weekends; each of them showed dedication to the organization and mission. It is easy to brag about their commitment to this organization and to you. As we wrap up 2014, I believe there is a bright future ahead. I look forward to serving the tourism community in the Coastal Empire. Sincerely,

Michael Owens President/CEO

TLC

TOUR I S M

VISION • ADVOC ACY• AC T I ON

Table of Contents Advocacy Page 3-5 Education Page 6-7 Savannah Food & Wine Festival Page 8-9 Membership Page 10-11 In the Media Page 12 TLC Connection Luncheons Page 13

I am Tourism Page 14 Golf Tournament Page 15 Tourism Awards Page 16 Publications Page 17 Leadership Page 18 Staff Page 19

AdvocAcy

The Tourism Leadership Council exists to advocate for the tourism community in the Coastal Empire.

In 2014, we saw advocacy efforts realized in several different ways. From short-term rental to alcohol ordinances, the TLC was there to represent tourism and hospitality.

Savannah Serves he Savannah Ambassador Program (Savannah Serves) was the brainchild of several organizations that came together to create a proposal for a public-private partnership to enhance quality of life and experience for those visiting and living in Savannah’s Downtown. With Savannah Serves, the focus was placed on beautification, crime prevention, and an enhancement of the overall experience.

The Tourism Leadership Council worked with city officials, business owners, stakeholders, residents, and other community organizations to draft the proposal in 2014. We also built the website to help facilitate the discussion between drafting organizations and the community at large. This reaped great feedback that continues to help shape the proposal.

SAVANNAH SERVES Hostess City of the South “Having an organization that represents tourism makes my job of bringing together stakeholders easier because TLC knows who is impacted and can bring them to the table with viable solutions. Thanks to TLC a vision and momentum has been established for the Savannah Serves program. These types of activities are good for the industry as well as the entire Savannah community.” – Bridget Lidy, Director, Tourism Management & Ambassadorship, City of Savannah

Partners with Savannah Serves city dEpArtMEntS

- Tourism and Ambassadorship Department - Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department - Park and Tree - Citizens Office - Parking Services - City Manager's Office

buSinESS orGAniZAtionS

- Tourism Leadership Council - Savannah Downtown Business Association - Chamber of Commerce/Visit Savannah - Savannah Waterfront Association - City Market

rESidEntiAl

- Downtown Neighborhood Association - Victorian Neighborhood Association

othEr

- Businesses in the service area - Residents in the service area

AdvocAcy Short-Term Rentals wo years before the City of Savannah had an ordinance written and approved about how they would handle the budding short-term rental business, a group of Tourism Leadership Council members approached the organization about getting involved.

We immediately championed the cause and began meeting with city officials to find a way that we could protect the tourism businesses who were complying with the laws. We also wanted to protect the tourism product. If a visitor is in danger or treated poorly, this reflects badly on the entire tourism community.

ing Judge Michael Karpf to suppress Burkhalter’s comments to police, arguing they should have read him his Miranda rig hts before questioning him because he was being deprived of his freedom “in a signiﬁcant way.” Withers also wants anything taken from Burkhalter’s computer suppressed, arguing that GBI agents had already seized the items several months earlier as part of their computer program search. But Assistant District Attorney Emily Puhala arg ued Burkhalter was “probably the most sophisticated individual we will ever see” given his extensive law enforcement background and immediately incriminated himself at his home. Further, she argued, there was no reason to expect privacy when he was working on a “My share folder” with the porn. Karpf said he would rule on the motions this week. Burkhalter led six ofﬁcers to his Dell desk top computer in a bonus room over the garage, asking Khaalis shortly afterward whether it was a federal case, she said. “Can I get a warning?” she said he asked. “I told him no.”

oN tHe WeB Go to savannahnow.com to view video as new SavannahChatham Metro Police Chief Joseph “Jack” Lumpkin Sr. is sworn into office.

SEE LUMPKIN, PAGE 6A

Savannah’s new chief settles in New chief urges citizen feedback, building trust in the community

He’S BaCK

By kAtiE MARtiN

912-652-0314 katie.martin@savannahnow.com

Savannah’s new police chief, Joseph “Jack” Lumpkin Sr. settled into his new ofﬁce at Savannah-Chatham police headquarters on Monday afternoon, holding his ﬁrst press conference after being sworn in earlier in the day. Lumpkin, the former chief of Athens-Clarke County police department, said he knew expectations were high within the department and community, but was delighted to be in Savannah and Chatham County.

GURLey RetURNS aS No. 1 taiLBaCK FoR BULLdoGS | 1d

SEE CHIEF, PAGE 6A

oN tHe WeB

Police chief Joseph “Jack” lumpkin sr. talks in his office at savannahchatham police headquarters on Monday after being sworn in as savannah’s police chief ™ earlier in the day.

Go to savannahnow.com to watch video from new police Chief Joseph “Jack” Lumpkin Sr.’s first news conference.

SEE POLICE, PAGE 6A

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Then she warned him the community probably will expect immediate results.

912-652-0312 eric.curl@savannahnow.com

The Savannah City Council

By JAN skutch

unanimously approved new require912-652-0336 ments to regulate homeowners who jan.skutch@savannahnow.com rent their properties to vacationers A Savannah-Chatham police detecalthough Thursday’s vote did not

tive testified on Monday that retired veteran police officer Douglas Burkhalter knew immediately that officers were after child pornography when they knocked at his front door with a search warrant last year. “He knew what we were looking for,” Detective Nicole Khaalis testified during a hearing in Chatham County Superior Court. “He said child porn. ….I was shocked. He told me he’d already incriminated himself.” Burkhalter, 71, faces trial next week on three felony charges of sexual exploitation of children. He has pleaded not guilty and remains free on bond. Burkhalter He was in court Monday but did not speak. His attorney, Tom Withers, is asking Judge Michael Karpf to suppress Burkhalter’s comments to police, arguing they should have read him his Miranda rig hts before questioning him because he was being deprived of his freedom “in a significant way.” Withers also wants anything taken from Burkhalter’s computer suppressed, arguing that GBI agents had already seized the items several months earlier as part of their computer program search. But Assistant District Attorney Emily Puhala arg ued Burkhalter was “probably the most sophisticated individual we will ever see” given his extensive law enforcement background and immediately incriminated himself at his home. Further, she argued, there was no reason to expect privacy when he was working on a “My share folder” with the porn. Karpf said he would rule on the motions this week. Burkhalter led six officers to his Dell desk top computer in a bonus room over the garage, asking Khaalis shortly afterward whether it was a federal case, she said. “Can I get a warning?” she said he asked. “I told him no.”

Lumpkin sworn in as police chief address all the mayor’s and aldermen’s concerns about the growing trend. The ordinance establishes a definition for the renting of one’s home for 30 days or less and restricts the operations to designated zoning districts in an effort to avoid mostly residential areas. In addition, the ordinance requires the homeowners to go through a certification process and obtain a business license to operate. Renters are subject to fines and the

iNSide

New VA clinic remains in limbo

revocation of their license for viola- and snapshot of where we are,” said tions such as exceeding capacity Alderman Van Johnson. limits. Sharing the sentiments of other As part of the vote, the mayor and council members, Alderman Tom aldermen included a stipulation that Bordeaux said he was supporting the impact of such rentals on com- the ordinance, despite his concerns, munities be reviewed after 90 days. because the city’s legal staff said it By ERic cuRl The review period — reduced was necessary to keep tabs on the 912-652-0312 six industry. from the staff recommended In 2009, the Veterans eric.curl@savannahnow.com months — was added due to con“This is a stop-gap measure,” BorAdministration cerns about neighborhoods beingLumpkin deauxSr.said. acknowledged the need Joseph “Jack” overrun with tourists and about The holding workfor aon larger VA medical was sworn in as chief of thecity plans clinic in Savannah. policein December parking availability Savannah-Chatham for residents. shops to educate Bythe 2011, plans were department, during a ceremony “In 90 days, we will have a picture homeowners on new ordinance.

at the Civic Center on Monday morning. Lumpkin said he would work daily to earn the trust of the community and would not tolerate unethical behavior after taking the oath of chief before dozens of uniformed officers, elected leaders and residents. He said the department will be community oriented and will incorporate 21st century policing that is fair and impartial. There is no “silver bullet” to fighting crime, Lumpkin said. “We’re all going to have to put our shoulder to the plow to make this work,” Lumpkin said. Julie Tolbert, who worked as interim chief during the search and is now serving as interim Steve Bisson/Savannah Morning News assistant chief, said she looks Joseph “Jack” lumpkin sr. takes the oath of office as savannah-chatham forward to Lumpkin bringing police chief in a ceremony at the savannah civic center. the oath was new crime-fighting strategies to the department. administered by the clerk of council Dyanne Reese. Then she warned him the oN tHe WeB community probably will expect Go to savannahnow.com to view video as new Savannahimmediate results. Chatham Metro Police Chief Joseph “Jack” Lumpkin Sr. is sworn into office. SEE LUMPKIN, PAGE 6A

“The relative youth and fast growth of the local vacation Savannah’s new chief settles in rental industry make the TLC one of our most important New chief urges citizen feedback, building trust in the community relationships. Their experience and relationships within the local hospitality community, combined with their proactive assistance in advocating and educating on our behalf makes our membership renewal an easy decision every year.” By kAtiE MARtiN

912-652-0314 katie.martin@savannahnow.com

oN tHe WeB

– Corey Jones, Owner, Lucky Savannah Vacation Rentals

officially announced for a new 50,500-squarefoot clinic. Today, those plans are still on the drawing board. 1B

PREPARE FOR

Go to savannahnow.com to watch video from new police Chief Joseph “Jack” Lumpkin Sr.’s first news conference.

Police chief Joseph “Jack” lumpkin sr. talks in his office at savannahchatham police headquarters on Monday after being sworn in as savannah’s police chief earlier in the day.

Stuart Fife, director of physical therapy at Optim Healthcare, offers tips and suggestions for those looking toward next year’s Rock ’n’ Roll Savannah Marathon and HalfMarathon. Fife says give yourself three months to one year to get ready.

BARROW HOUSE UP FOR SALE | 5A U.S. Rep. John Barrow has decided to sell his Augusta home just days after he was defeated by Republican challenger Rick Allen in the midterm elections last Tuesday. The Democratic congressman served five terms in eastern Georgia’s 12th District.

CoNtaCt US CORRECTIONS: If you spot an error of fact, call Susan Catron, executive editor, at 912-652-0327. FOR DELIVERY OR BILLING PROBLEMS: 912-236-0271 ALL-ACCESS: Home delivery subscribers are entitled to our digital products on the Web, smartphones and iPad at no extra charge. We have more than 650,000 monthly readers in print and online. http://savannahnow.com/

today H 74 L 50 Warmer for the next few days. 2A

Katie Martin/ Savannah Morning News

SEE POLICE, PAGE 6A

City Council approves short-term rental rules

Drawing by Trinita Blackwood, 8 Windsor Forest Elementary

Impact to be reviewed in 90 days

Accent Business Classifieds Comics Crossword Help Wanted Horoscope Lotteries Morning Break Nation/World Obituaries Opinion Sports Vox Populi

912-652-0312 eric.curl@savannahnow.com

The Savannah City Council unanimously approved new requirements to regulate homeowners who rent their properties to vacationers although Thursday’s vote did not

FOR DELIVERY PROBLEMS: 91

ALL-ACCESS: subscribers are our digital prod Web, smartpho at no extra char more than 650 readers in print http://savanna

today H 74 L 50

Warmer for the ne

Katie Martin/ Savannah Morning News

Because there are so many factors, opinions, and moving parts, this ordinance moved slowly through the process.MARATHONS We | 1C were there every step of the way. On Nov. 6, the city council unanimously approved new regulations for people who rented properties to out-of-town guests for 30 days or less. As part of the vote, council included a provision that the new ordinance be reviewed after 90 days. We’ll be there to continue advocating on behalf of the tourism community.

By ERic cuRl

CORRECTIONS If you spot an er Susan Catron, e at 912-652-032

City Council approves short-term rental rules Detective: By ERic cuRl

CoNtaCt

LIGHT OF THE COASTAL EMPIRE

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014

Impact to becop Retired reviewed in 90 days incriminated self in child porn case

decided to sell home just day was defeated challenger Ric the midterm e Tuesday. The congressman terms in easte 12th District.

address all the mayor’s and aldermen’s concerns about the growing trend. The ordinance establishes a definition for the renting of one’s home for 30 days or less and restricts the operations to designated zoning districts in an effort to avoid mostly residential areas. In addition, the ordinance requires the homeowners to go through a certification process and obtain a business license to operate. Renters are subject to fines and the

revocation of their license for violations such as exceeding capacity limits. As part of the vote, the mayor and aldermen included a stipulation that the impact of such rentals on communities be reviewed after 90 days. The review period — reduced from the staff recommended six months — was added due to concerns about neighborhoods being overrun with tourists and about parking availability for residents. “In 90 days, we will have a picture

and snapshot of where we are,” said Alderman Van Johnson. Sharing the sentiments of other council members, Alderman Tom Bordeaux said he was supporting the ordinance, despite his concerns, because the city’s legal staff said it was necessary to keep tabs on the industry. “This is a stop-gap measure,” Bordeaux said. The city plans on holding workshops in December to educate homeowners on the new ordinance.

iNdex 1-3C 1-3B 7-12C 5C 6C, 8C 7C 6C 2A 5-6C 5A, 8A, 4B 4-5B 10-11A 1-5D 2C

165TH YEAR, ISSUE 301

Drawing by Trinita Windsor Forest El

iNdex Accent Business Classifieds Comics Crossword Help Wanted Horoscope Lotteries Morning Break Nation/World Obituaries Opinion Sports Vox Populi

165TH YEAR

AdvocAcy We recognize that true advocacy is forged through the partnerships we made. We were delighted to work with some great organizations this year, some of which are mentioned here.

Community Involvement • •

City of Savannah Coastal Workforce Investment Board Creative Coast Georgia Department of Economic Development Georgia Grown Georgia Restaurant Association Healthy Kids Savannah Junior Achievement of Georgia Leadership Savannah Pooler Chamber of Commerce Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah Development & Renewal Authority Savannah Downtown Business Association Savannah Downtown Neighborhood Association Savannah Sand Gnats Savannah Technical College Marketing and Hospitality Advisory Boards Savannah Waterfront Association South of DeRenne Association Tourism Advisory Committee Visit Savannah

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Governor’s Award In August, the TLC, in conjunction with Visit Savannah won the Bill Hardman Sr. Tourism Champion Award for their partnership in making Savannah a destination for tourism. The award was given at the Governor’s Conference for Tourism in Augusta, Ga.

• • • • • •

Community Leadership ichael Owens was also part of the Tourism and Arena Advisory Committees, and sat on the boards of Savannah Waterfront Association, Visit Savannah, Savannah Downtown Renewal Authority, Savannah Voice Festival, Metro Police Foundation, and CrimeStoppers.

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EducAtion At the heart of what we did at the Tourism Leadership Council, we educated. With more than 24,000 people who work in the tourism community, we offered opportunities for education around every corner. Whether educating third graders on the careers in tourism or offering a higher level of customer service training for the city’s elite concierges, we sought to reach out to our community and elevate our level of Southern hospitality.

Working with Students

Workforce Development

During Savannah Food & Wine Festival, we provided on-the-job, paid experience to several college students studying hospitality and tourism. We partnered with Savannah Technical College and Virginia College culinary students to help the master chefs prepare some of the many courses that were served. At the same time students were working in the kitchens, a group of students from University of South Carolina-Beaufort’s Lowcountry and Resort Islands Tourism Institute were conducting demographic research on the festival. We also had interns working the festival from Georgia Southern and Savannah Technical College.

tybEE iSlAnd

More than 200 frontline employees attended a 2-day customer service seminar we led at the Tybee Island YMCA.

SAvAnnAhJobS.coM

We continued our strong partnership with SavannahJobs. com to offer our members access to free monthly job listings and continued listings at discounted rates.

Tourism in Schools Several schools in the area asked the TLC to present the tourism community to their classrooms. We were in 3rd grade classrooms, middle school, and high school classrooms, as well as college classrooms. We welcomed any chance to talk about the tourism industry – never too early to start recruiting the next tourism professionals.

Michael Owens at Haven Elementary School.

EducAtion

The CCA joined forces with TLC member businesses to host monthly mixers, which served to promote these businesses to the concierge and front desk professionals of Savannah.

Coastal Concierge Association M

ore than a year ago a group of concierges and front end professionals asked themselves, “What can we do to be better at our job?” At the TLC, we love that kind of question – the people on the frontlines of serving our city’s guests asking how to be better, more hospitable, more organized, more equipped to serve.

It was with this group that the Coastal Concierge Association (CCA) was born, a name to define the sect of our tourism community they represented – lodging properties. CCA has monthly mixers, where lodging property personnel meet at a new restaurant or museum to explore first hand – and get a refresher on a customer service tip. For those who want to take their education to the next level, they can try their hand at the Certification I class. This class curriculum was developed and taught by top tourism professionals. In order to be considered for the class, the concierges had to pass a pre-requisite test based on the information available in the TLC’s Savannah 101 book, write a letter of intent, prepare a resume, and obtain a letter of recommendation from their supervisor. They were then approved by a panel of tourism professionals. In October, the first class graduated and were presented with a pin in the shape of the CCA logo. The logo embodies two hospitality symbols, the key and the pineapple. We were pleased to offer all of these mixers and classes free of charge.

“Using the skills and tools that we were given in class have had a great impact on the way I manage my day, and especially on putting 100% of my focus back to my guests. Not only have our guests benefitted greatly, but selfishly, the pleasure of doing what I do, plus a little more each time, has increased my satisfaction and feeling of accomplishment.” – Dan Gleason, Concierge, Andaz

Savannah food & Wine feSTIVAL The Savannah Food & Wine Festival thrived in its second year with plenty of events for connoisseurs of fine wine and cuisine. The festival attracted 15,000 guests, and nearly 80 percent traveled from outside of Savannah.

s the Savannah Food & Wine Festival was envisioned to attract visitors in a traditionally slow season for the tourism industry, the festival did just that. In fact, 70 percent of the attendees cited the festival as the primary reason that they came to Savannah. That means new business for our community with heads in beds, new guests in our restaurants, and new customers in our stores. Take a look at some of the statistics from this year’s festival, which were generated from a study performed by the Lowcountry and Resort Island Tourism Institute at University of South Carolina - Beaufort.

70% 79% 61%

40% 26% 85% 73%

Plan to return next year

Would recommend to friends

Visited primarily for the festival

came from outside Savannah Top Markets: • Jacksonville, FL • Atlanta, GA • Hilton Head/Beaufort, SC • Orlando, FL • Charleston, SC

$100K+ income

First Visit to Savannah

Stayed for 2 or more days in Savannah

Savannah food & Wine feSTIVAL

MEMbErShip

This year we welcomed 64 new members to the TLC, from hotels and restaurants to o

With such a broad membership, we were able to advocate and represent a large segment of our area

17 Hundred 90 Inn & Restaurant • Andaz • Azalea Inn and Gardens • Best Western Plus - Savannah Historic District • Bl Historic District • Country Inn & Suites Savannah Midtown • Courtyard by Marriott Savannah Historic District • Desoto B vannah South • Eliza Thompson House • Embassy Suites Savannah • Embassy Suites Savannah Airport • Fairfield Inn by Ma Midtown Savannah • Hampton Inn Historic District • Hilton Garden Inn - Savannah Airport • Hilton Garden Inn Midtown HOS Management • Hyatt Place Savannah Airport • Hyatt Regency Savannah • Inn at Ellis Square • Kehoe House • Luck Inn & Suites • Olde Harbour Inn • Planters Inn • Presidents’ Quarters • River Street Inn • Roussell’s Garden B&B • Savan Management/Holiday Inn Express - Hardeeville • Springhill Suites Savannah Airport • Springhill Suites Savannah Historic Riverfront • The Brice - A Kimpton Hotel • The • Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa • Z • Advertising Specialty Services • Alphagraphics Bank • Andrew Low House • Andrews & Sanders Law Ofﬁce (Veterans Council) • Armstrong State U & Financial Services • Blue Focus Media • Bonaventure Historical Society • Byrd Cookie Company • Market • City of Savannah • Clear Channel Media & Entertainment • Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens Hospitality Group • Cumulus Broadcasting • Dalsego, LLC • DeVivo Marketing, LLC • Downtown Busines lies First Funeral Care & Cremation Center • First African Baptist Church • Friesens America • Georgia D • Georgia Power • Gingerbread House Savannah • Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia • Guardian Angels Sit Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance • Historic Savannah Carriage Tours • Histo • John Alexander Photography • Johnnie Ganem Wine & Package Shop • Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace • Museum • Miss Judy Charters • Mobility BOBs • Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP • MusicFile Production ficial Guides of Savannah • Oglethorpe Tours • Old Savannah Tours • Old Town Trolley Tours of Sava • Premier Events, LLC • Quality Wine & Spirits • Ranco South Event Rentals • Randy Thompson Photograp Hill Convention & Visitors Bureau • River Street Market Place • River Street Riverboat Company • River Str Coffee • Salt Table • Savannah Art Association • Savannah Bonaventure Dash Tours • Savannah Book Fest Savannah Destination Management LLC • Savannah Distributing Company • Savannah International Trade & News • Savannah Music Festival • Savannah Pedicab, LLC • Savannah Philharmonic • Savannah Riverfront Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport • Savannahjobs.com • Savor Savannah Catering by SMG • Sc Maritime Museum • Vicki Siefker • Signature Flight • South Magazine • Southern Belle Vacation Rental nah Vacation Rentals • Steel the Show • Sysco Jacksonville • Tech Rentals, Inc. • Telfair Museum of Art • Tere Kennickell Group • The Landings at Skidaway Island • The Savannah Walks Inc. • The Spice & Tea Exchange LLC • TRAVELHOST of Savannah & Hilton Head/Beaufort • Troy University - SaTourism Council • United Distributors • United WebWorks, Inc. • USCB - HospitalVisit Savannah • Visit Tybee • Visitors Television Network • West Broad Street YMCA • William D. Cannady, CPA, PC Jean • 45 Bistro • a.Lure Contemporary Lowcountry Cuisine • Abe’s on Lincoln • Ampersand • B. Matthew’s Eatery • Congress • Born to Eat Enterprises, LLC • Bruster’s Real Ice Cream • Chart House Restaurant • Churchill’s Pub • Clu on 37th • Fiddler’s Crab House • Garibaldi’s Cafe • Green Truck Pub • Huey’s • Jazz’d Tapas Bar • Johnny Harris Ban Pizza Inc. • Local 11ten Food & Wine • Lulu’s Chocolate Empire, LLC • Moon River Brewing Company • North Beach Spanky’s River Street • The 5 Spot • The Collins Quarter • The Crab Shack • The Florence • The Funky Brunch Cafe House Restaurant • Top Deck Savannah, LLC • Treylor Park • Tubby’s Thunderbolt • Vic’s on the River • Wet Willie’s

MEMbErShip

o other industries like photography, publishing, and other tourism-related businesses.

rea economy. New members are shown in bold in the graphic below.

• Bluegreen Resorts • Comfort Suites Historic District • Country Inn & Suites - Savannah Airport • Country Inn & Suites to Beach Bed & Breakfast • Desoto Beach Hotel • Doubletree Hotel Historic Savannah • East Bay Inn • Econo Lodge Say Marriott • Four Points by Sheraton Historic Savannah • Green Palm Inn • Grove Point Plantation • Hampton Inn & Suites own • Hilton Garden Inn - Savannah Historic District • Hilton Savannah DeSoto • Holiday Inn Express - Historic District • Lucky Savannah Vacation Rentals • Mansion on Forsyth Park • Marshall House • Ocean Plaza Beach Resort • Oglethorpe avannah Bed & Breakfast Inn • Savannah Dream Vacations • Savannah Marriott Riverfront • Sea and Breeze Hotel • Sega oric District • Springhill Suites Savannah Midtown • Staybridge Suites Historic Savannah • The Bohemian Hotel Savannah Thunderbird Inn • Tybee Vacation Rentals The Cotton Sail Hotel • The Gastonian • The Whitman • a • Zeigler House Inn, LLC • 24e • Abshire Public Relations • Action Coach hics • Ambos Seafood • American Diabetes Association • Ameris te University • Atlanta Magazine • Belfor Property Restoration • Bernard Williams Insurance y • Captain Mike’s Dolphin Adventure • Chatham Area Transit • Cherokee Publishing Company • City dens • Coastal Heritage Society • Cobblestone Connections • Cool Wave, Inc. • Creative Peanut • Crystal iness Association • Eat It and Like It.com • Edgewood Travel • Empire Distributors • Escape Savannah • Famiia Department of Economic Development & Tourism • Garden City Convention & Visitors Bureau • Gas South s Sitting Service • Hancock Askew & Company LLP • Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce • Historic Savannah Foundation • Hostess City Celebrations • HostSouth • HT Creative, LLC • HunterMaclean ce • Levy Jewelers • Living Social • Low Country Event Rentals • Massie Heritage Center • Mighty Eighth Air Force tions/Savannah Stopover Music Festival • National Distributing Co. • NeSmith Gift Advertising • Nourish • OfSavannah • Patrick’s Uniforms • Paul Kennedy Catering • Pooler Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Bureau graphy • Resort Services, Inc. • Responsible Alcohol Server Training LLC • Richmond Hill City Center • Richmond r Street Sweets • Robert Cooper Photography • Roots Up Gallery • Royal Cinemas & IMAX • Royal Cup Festival • Savannah Cams, LLC • Savannah Candy Kitchen • Savannah Coca-Cola • Savannah Coffee Roasters • e & Convention Center • Savannah Magazine • Savannah Mall/Urban Retail Properties • Savannah Morning ront • Savannah Sand Gnats • Savannah Technical College • Savannah Theatre • Savannah Tour of Homes • • Scott West Marketing • Segway of Savannah • SHELTAIR Aviation • Sherrill & Company • Ships of the Sea entals • Southern Urgent Care • Spectrum Printing/Marketing Service • Stafford Promotions • Stay SavanTeresa Earnest Photography • The AdFish Group • The Coastal Bank • The Creative Approach • The nge of Savannah • The Vacation Station • Tour Guide Institute of Savannah • Tour Services, vannah • Tybee Island Historical Society • Tybee ity Management Program • Virginia College - Savannah • PC • WJCL-TV; WTGS-TV • WTOC-TV • Yates-Astro • YMCA of Coastal Georgia • 39 Rue De ry • B. Tillman • Belford’s Savannah Seafood & Steaks • Blowin’ Smoke • Boar’s Head Grill & Tavern • Boomy’s Bar on Club One Jefferson/The Bay Cafe • Cohen’s Retreat • Crystal Beer Parlor • Dept. 7 East • Driftaway Cafe • Elizabeth Banquet Center • Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub • Leoci’s Trattoria • Leopold’s Ice Cream • Liberty Street Grill • Lighthouse each Bar & Grill • Pacci Italian Kitchen & Bar • Ruth’s Chris Steak House • Sapphire Grill Restaurant • Shrimp Factory • Cafe • The Grey Restaurant • The Lady & Sons • The Landings Club • The Olde Pink House Restaurant • The Pirates’ lie’s • Wild Wing Cafe •

in thE MEdiA As the voice of the tourism businesses and workers, our voice was most loudly carried in the media.

We partnered with local, state, and national media partners to tell the story of our tourism product, not to market what we do but rather to advocate for the second largest industry in the Coastal Empire.

Michael Owens, the spokesperson for the industry, was featured in print publications, broadcast media, and social media.

Communicating with our Members

Voice of Tourism

e have an engaged audience, with more than 45,000 emails opened this year, and more than 2,800 clickthroughs. It’s great to keep our membership abreast of all our exciting news and activities. We have also nearly doubled our followers on Twitter, and grew our number of Facebook likes by more than 200.

Every other week, in the Savannah Morning News, the Tourism Leadership Council has a dedicated section to write about tourism. Each article features issues facing the tourism community. In 2014, we covered career advice within the tourism community, economic impact of various festivals and events, and how tourism gives back to the community – just to name a few. Throughout the year, we had a total of 25 articles featured on the front page of the BiS section of the Saturday edition.

Social Media

40% growth in Facebook likes

506

new followers on Twitter

Email Marketing

45,184 12

The TLC Vice President of Communications, Molly Swagler was featured monthly as a guest during the local segments of National Public Radio’s Morning Edition on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

total opens of TLC emails

2,817 clickthroughs

tlc connEction lunchEonS 2014 speakers included:

Connecting the tourism community.

Our monthly luncheons continued to attract a crowd with their educational speakers, networking opportunities, and delicious food. The luncheons also spotlighted the various venues that our members have to offer. The luncheons were regularly featured in the Savannah Morning Newsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Spotted and South Magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Scenes of the South.

January Wendy Thomas, Executive Director, Southeast Festivals & Events March Rob Gibson, Executive & Artistic Director, Savannah Music Festival Ramond Robinson, Chief Development Officer, Chatham Area Transit April Paula Deen, Paula Deen Enterprises May Ann Purcell, Board Member, GDOT June Carrie Bligh, Executive Director, Savannah Waterfront Association August Jeremy Harvey & Erica Backus, Visit Savannah September Lisa Grove, CEO, Telfair Museums October Michael Owens, President/CEO, Tourism Leadership Council November Gene Ferrara, Security Consultant

i AM touriSM

Investing in the workers of the tourism community.

I AM TOURISM continued in its second year offering discounts to cardholders at local and national businesses. Several TLC member businesses purchased the cards for all their employees, giving them access to $4,500 in savings each year.

e partnered with Abenity, a national discount provider to manage the program, which offers deals on movie tickets, oil changes, restaurant gift cards, theme park passes, and much more. The Abenity platform was upgraded this year, making the online system even more user-friendly.

We also offered local businesses the opportunity to provide a discount to cardholders. This gave them the opportunity to market to the tourism community, a group of people who recommend products and services to the millions of visitors we have each year.

These businesses purchased I AM TOURISM memberships for their employees: • • • • • • •

Holiday Inn Express North Point Hospitality River Street Inn Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce/Visit Savannah Savor Savannah Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa

GolF tournAMEnt

Investing in the future of the tourism community.

The annual TLC Golf Tournament entered its 16th year of raising money for the scholarship fund and for the various other programs that the TLC offers. he tournament was held at the Club at Savannah Harbor on Tuesday, May 20. Thirty-one teams played in the good-natured competition. As always, the tourism community knew how to have a good time, with food and drinks around every corner. We could not have put on this great golf tournament without our generous partners.

touriSM AWArdS & ScholArShip dinnEr

Honoring the best of the best in the tourism community.

The 16th Annual Tourism Awards & Scholarship Dinner was held on February 26 at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center. This black-tie affair, attended by 350 guests, honored the best of the best of the 24,000 people who work in the tourism industry.

he evening honored frontline employees, managers and others who embody the spirit of our Hostess City. WJCL served as our media sponsor for the event and featured each of the finalists on the news. The TLC also presented $5,000 in scholarship money to four students studying for tourism and hospitality careers.

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tourism Award winners:

Scholarship Recipients:

Service Star Nick Webb, The Lady & Sons Marquelle Jones, The Olde Pink House Service Leader Jamie Parks, Savor...Savannah I AM TOURISM Leonard Massey, Hampton Inn Savannah Historic District John P. Rousakis Community Champion Award Stephanie Cutter, City of Savannah Herb & Franklin Traub Visionary Award Charles H. Morris TLC Member of the Year Diane Rousakis, United Distributors

Kelli Brunson University of South Carolina - Beaufort Pulkit Chawla Savannah Technical College Andrew Lawrence University of South Carolina - Beaufort Randi Parton University of South Carolina - Beaufort

publicAtionS Reaching the guests of the Hostess City.

The combined reach of Savannah: A Southern Journey and the Concierge Dining Directory helped our members reach the millions of guests who visit Savannah each year.

Savannah: A Southern Journey Savannah: A Southern Journey was in its sixth year of publication, and reached millions of guests in more than 6,000 hotel rooms. It was an informative book and visually beautiful as well. It also featured ad placement from 38 area businesses, giving them exposure to more than 7.3 million visitors, who spend $1.8 billion on food, shopping, recreation, and transportation each year.

Featured in more lodging properties than any other publication in Savannah.

Savan nah

101 an introdu the Tourismctory guide presen ted by Leadership Council

Concierge Dining Directory The Concierge Dining Directory contained menus from 28 of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest restaurants. This elegant leather-bound book served as a go-to resource for the frontline employees at the area lodging properties. The Concierge Dining Directory moved into the future with a new electronic kiosk version, which began in beta testing at a downtown property. The kiosk allowed guests to view the menus, make reservations at the same time, and purchase souvenirs (such as Savannah: A Southern Journey) and have them shipped to their door.

Savannah 101 Savannah 101 was provided as a free resource to our members so that everyone could be informed about the history of Savannah. It also included information on annual festivals and transportation that members used to inform their customers and guests.

lEAdErShip 2014 Executive Committee

Chairman Greg Kelly, Savannah/HHI International Airport

Chair-Elect Mitch Linder, Brice HotelA Kimpton Property

Treasurer Brendan Ferrara, Savannah Technical College

Secretary Marty Johnston, City of Savannah

At-Large Mark Dana, Prince-BushSmith Hotels

At-Large Jody McIntyre, Savannah Marriott Riverfront

Immediate Past Chairman Mark Spadoni, Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa

2014 Board of Directors

Fredia Brady, SITCC

Charlie Brazil, Old Town Trolley

Jack Bussert, River Street Inn

Kristin Detwiler, Savannah Destination Management

Marc Friday, Planters Inn

Lindsay Fruchtl, Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce

Marcie Hill, City Market

Sandy Hollander, 45 bistro

John Katz, Savannah Sand Gnats

Paul Kennedy, Paul Kennedy Catering

Sarah Lamar, HunterMaclean

Diana Morrison, Advertising Specialty

Kal Patel, Image Hotels

Michael Plummer, Yates-Astro

Scott Snipes, Hyatt Regency

Whip Triplett, North Point Hospitality

StAFF

Michael Owens, President/CEO

Molly Swagler, Vice President of Communications

Claire Sandow, Communications Coordinator

Jan Gourley, Savannah Food & Wine Festival Director

Gordon Gourley, Savannah Food & Wine Festival Manager

MiSSion The mission of the TLC is to provide a unified group with committed leadership pledged to promote, protect, and serve the interests of the tourism and hospitality community of the greater Savannah area. With more than 24,000 employees who work in tourism, we protect the tourism community through vision, advocacy, and action.

VISION

With so many major leaders in tourism represented in the TLC membership, the right people are at the table looking at the future of tourism.

ADVOCACY

We are the second largest economic factor in the area, and coming together under one umbrella strengthens our voice.

ACTION

We are involved in legislation and policy that impacts tourism on city, county, state, and federal levels. We also host nationally-known events.

TLC

TOUR I S M

VISION â&#x20AC;˘ ADVOC ACYâ&#x20AC;˘ AC T ION

P.O. Box 10010 | Savannah, GA 31412 | (912) 232-1223 | tourismleadershipcouncil.com

touriSM pArtnErShip proGrAM Sponsorships have long been a part of non-profit organizations. They help underwrite the cost of events that bring communities together and give unique opportunities for business both large and small to make connections. Sponsorships provide a financial base that allows the TLC to create and inspire. These companies have proven their commitment by joining the TLCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tourism Partnership Program as an investment into the protection and advocacy of our community.