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December update from VP of Tourism

On my mind … by Georgia Turner, VP of Tourism

Georgia head shot

Happy Holidays from the Tourism Office!

We hope that you’ll join us for the Chamber’s Holiday Business After Hours on Thursday, December 12 from 5:30 to 7 pm. All of the offices in the Chamber building at 20 Airport Road in Palm Coast, including Tourism in Suite B, will welcome our guests with holiday treats and drinks. If you are a Chamber member, you get in free for making your choice of donation:

* Gently used children’s books for Just 1 Book
* New unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots
* Cash for the Grace Community Food Pantry

Guests are welcome for a $20 donation. Don’t miss this opportunity to share holiday cheer with members of the tourism industry, the business community, guests and staff!

As this banner year in Flagler Tourism comes to an end, I would like to personally wish everyone who works in our wonderful industry and those who are touched by tourism in any way, a wonderful holiday season as well as a prosperous start to a new year in 2014!

Georgia Turner

Vice President, Tourism Development

Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates

New guide combines area dining options, map and coupons

Always trying to improve the visitor experience, the Flagler County Tourism Office has worked with local publisher Galaxy Promotions to combine the area’s popular dining guide and coupon guide into one publication.

The new Dining Guide divides the county into five sections: Flagler Beach, Moody Blvd., Bunnell, Palm Coast Parkway and the Hammock. There are maps of each area that show the numerous restaurants in each section. Under each map visitors can find coupons. On the back of the map, all of the restaurants in the area are listed. The original plan was to revise and reprint three times a year. However, the first run of the guide has been so well-received that we’ve had to reprint already!

Thanks so much to all of our advertisers: Pasta Pasta, Turtle Shack, Break-Awayz, Joenell’s Place, Friend’s Cafe’, Beach House Beanery, Blue, Waffle Cone, Great American Grill, Bella’s Tomato Pie, Woody’s, Big Easy Cafe’, Los Dos Potrillos II, White Eagle, The Black Cloud, Bantam Chef, Thai Korner, The Sub Base & Bagel Place, Nathan’s, Five Star Pizza, Captain’s BBQ, Rendez Vous, Burrito 101, La Piazza Cafe’, European Village and Golden Lion Cafe’.

The guides are being distributed in both Chamber Visitors Centers, and sent to all requests and groups (including sports teams). To order more guides for your business, contact Debra at the Tourism Office at debra@flaglerchamber.org or call 386-437-0106.

Golden Lion makes cover of “Traveling to Florida Beach Bars” book

Earlier this year the The Golden Lion was rated in the 2013 Top 10 beach bars on FloridaBeachBar.com, the number one guide to the best Florida beach bars. In 2011 the Golden Lion was selected the Best Waterside Bar and was also in the Top 10 in 2012.

Now we’re happy to see that Golden Lion is on the COVER photo of the new book “Traveling to Florida Beach Bars.” This book chronicles the travels of Florida Beach Bar founders, John and Chris Sancin, to over 250 beach bars.

The guide has hundreds of colorful pictures, reviews and interesting stories about the couple’s experience.

“This is a great little beach town and a place where you can easily spend a day or two, especially if you like beach bars,” says the author.

Other bars mentioned in the Flagler Beach section are High Tides at Snack Jack, the Funky Pelican, Finn’s Beachside Pub and Johnny D’s Beach Bar & Grill.

The book is available at Amazon.com in both paperback and Kindle versions. It is the perfect coffee table — make that BAR top — book!

Special co-op advertising in Orlando Sentinel’s  “Destination Spotlight”

As part of our 2013-14 Marketing Plan, the Tourism Office is partnering with the Orlando Sentinel to “take over” the January 12 travel section. A travel writer will visit the area to do a story. Tourism industry partners will be able to advertise in the special section. See REVISED flyer with lower pricing below. Contact Carol Bradford at the Sentinel (386-257-3761) or Amy Lukasik in the Tourism Office (386-437-0106) for more information.

OUT AND ABOUT …
Tourism Administrative Assistant Debra Naughton participated in the A1A 72-mile Super Scenic Yard Sale on November 16.

Even though weather conditions weren’t perfect, the sale — which ran along A1A from Ponte Vedra to Flagler Beach — attracted thousands of visitors looking for a deal! At right, Debra is pictured with Event Chair Marge Rooyakkers, Anita Turner (and friend) and Friends of A1A board member Mary Ann Ruzecki (seated).

Byway Program Administrator Sallie O’Hara can provide additional information. Contact her at  Sallie_OHara@scenicA1A.org or call 904-425-8055.
OUT AND ABOUT …

Product Development Manager Doreen Chase attended the TEAMS sports planner conference in Salt Lake City, UT in early November.

Doreen (shown at left in her booth, featuring a new Palm Coast & the Flagler Beaches tablecloth!) met with more than 30 sports planners from throughout the United States and Canada.

Next up, Doreen will travel to the Villages for their Travel Expo on January 17. The show promoters are expecting approximately 3,000 attendees, all interested in information to help plan their upcoming vacations.

If you have information you would like to provide for Doreen for the show, please contact her at doreen@flaglerchamber.org or call 386-437-0106.
OUT AND ABOUT …
The Tourism Staff assisted with a Chamber Ribbon Cutting for the newly-renovated Red Roof Inn in Palm Coast on November 13.

Owner George Maples (center) is shown cutting the ribbon with Tourism VP Georgia Turner; Luanne Downing, Larry Fontana and Tommi Allred from Red Roof Inn; Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts; Gregory Miles from Red Roof Inn; Product Development Manager Doreen Chase and the Chamber’s Director of Membership Heather Thompson.

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