April 2010

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STS Marketing College

Take the time to do something good for yourself... and your organization. Enroll in STS Marketing College and watch your expertise in all-things-tourism rise to unexpected heights. We encourage to be a part of the Travel and Tourism Education Bunch.

For one week each year, tourism industry professionals from all over the Southeast meet at North Georgia College and State University for the Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College. During the week, students experience a broad-based curriculum of courses designed to teach marketing techniques from all facets of the tourism industry. From the time you arrive on Sunday until you depart on Friday, you will enjoy classes, lectures, discussion groups and one-of-a-kind networking opportunities in an academic environment conducive to learning.

Students who attend three years of Marketing College receive a Travel Marketing Professional (TMP) certification.

The courses, the experiences and the friendships built — all add up to STS Marketing College. Read more on how STS Marketing College can change and recharge your career.

New: Festivals and Events Track

STS recognizes the growing importance that festivals and events have in a community. In fact, festivals are the life-blood of some communities' tourism outreach.

Southeast Tourism Society, in conjunction with Southeast Festivals and Events Association, realizes the importance of this field and will offer courses that speak to those who work more closely with festivals and events.

Now, you have the opportunity to delve deeper into this burgeoning field. Marketing College will offer a "Festivals and Events" track in addition to the traditional "Travel and Tourism" track. Initial course offerings in the festivals field include event management, sponsorship dollars and revenue generation.

At the end of three years, a Travel Marketing Professional certification with official recognition given as a Festivals and Events Specialist will be bestowed.

Note: all current students and alumni may choose to attend the additional festivals and events classes in addition to the regular tourism track. These special courses will be on Wednesday afternoon.

Alumni Class

You've asked STS to expand the alumni offerings, and this year we have. You now have the choice of two alumni classes.

Class I: Social Media 102 - Jennifer Barbee, Jennifer Barbee, Inc., will examine this burgeoning field. Course is designed for all levels of proficiency. July 26 - 27

Class II: TBA. July 29 - 30

Miles Media

Help Provide a Scholarship

Each year, the STS Marketing College senior class raises funds for scholarships for the next incoming freshman class. Lend this year's class a hand in its efforts to raise a record $20,000 to help offset costs for those who would like to attend but cannot afford to do so. Please give $20,000. Or $1 — or anything in between. We thank you in advance for your support. Donating through the STS Web site is fast, simple and secure.

STS Spring Meeting

Our hope is that you enjoyed and had plenty of take-aways from this year's Spring Meeting. Thanks to Nashville and Tennessee and all of our sponsors for helping us deliver a satisfying product.

• Presentations
• Photos

Tweets of note

• Hard times - Hotel industry in survival mode? http://bit.ly/dmX6Pv Tangible effects the recession has had on the hotel industry. USAToday
  
  
• Ever bragged on a facelift? Check out our new home page: http://escapetothesoutheast.com/
  
  
• President Obama Signs Travel Promotion Act - New Agency Created to Spur U.S. Visitation http://bit.ly/dfhuoX
  
  
• Follow STS at http://twitter.com/southeasttouris

Quotes from Marketing College students

Marketing College provided me with a wide range of tourism and travel skills as well as invaluable contacts with people who have made my efforts at my CVB more successful. From learning how to prepare effective marketing plans to how to manage a crisis, the TMP program was a one-stop shop for the tourism professional. – Debbie Wilson, TMP, Director, Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Bureau

Marketing College was an excellent opportunity to learn from industry leaders about destination marketing. The networking opportunities with peers also proved to be an invaluable experience. I highly recommend the program. - Rick Rodriguez TMP, CTTP, Director, Wilson County Convention & Visitors Bureau (Tennessee)

Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College provided me with applicable knowledge of the tourism industry that has helped me better understand the expectations of prospective buyers, the possibilities of product development, itinerary design and the importance and effects of excellent customer service. Why one should go? Anyone who is serious about career development in the tourism industry should consider STS Marketing College because it provides a learning forum that is led by professionals in the industry who openly and generously share their expertise. - Ann Clemons, TMP, Tourism Sales Manager, Montgomery Chamber Convention & Visitor Bureau (Alabama)

I truly believe anyone in the tourism industry should attend this school. I have only held my position for seven months as Tourism Director for Dickson County. Every day I was telling myself, ‘I’m just not there yet,’ if you know what I mean. Now, I know I am ‘not there,’ however, I know I can ‘get there’ and do my job well, thanks to STS [Marketing College]. I have an altogether new approach for my marketing plan, and I owe it all to STS. - Rhonda Adams, Director of Tourism, Dickson County, TN Chamber of Commerce

The Marketing College was an exceptional experience that anyone involved with tourism marketing would benefit from attending. The professors gave “real world” examples of what does and doesn’t work, and they encourage an ongoing dialogue with the students. This interaction guaranteed that everyone returned home with plenty of new ideas and a more complete understanding of marketing concepts and strategies. - Perrin Lawson, Dir. of Marketing, Charleston Area CVB (South Carolina)

I decided to attend Year 2 (of Marketing College) because I wanted to complete the entire curriculum. The program is a great educational opportunity to help develop strong professionalism in marketing employees. – Phyllis Qualls-Brooks, State of Tennessee Dept. of Tourist Development

Marketing College has continued to revitalize my energy towards tourism, the organization and customer service. – Michelle Spencer, TOURSEKY.com

Attending STS Marketing College is one of the most memorable experiences of my career. The one-week session each year allows you the time to step out of your day-to-day work responsibilities and become re-energized which, in-turn, helps you stay competitive and marketable in today’s travel and tourism environments. You take away new-found knowledge, great contacts and friends and have loads of fun as well. - Charlotte Tallent, TMP, Regional Marketing Director, Days Inn Worldwide, Inc.

Professional development is important. We never know everything, and with the TMP designation and the opportunity to attend the program offered for alumni, the development continues as well as keeping me on top of the latest and greatest effecting the hospitality industry. It’s good to see how other destinations are dealing with similar situations. Sometimes we forget that although the destination is different — larger or smaller — we all have the same struggle or challenges or needs. I look forward to the alumni program knowing it will provide new and exciting ideas. - Peter F. Bowden, TMP, President-CEO, Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau

Southeast Tourism Society Corporate Partners