FY21 Cobb Travel & Tourism Annual Report

TOURISM GOING THE EX T VEL & R A MIL TRA BB E CO LE MI CO B BT R A VE L

GOING THE EXTRA MILE

A TR EX

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ISM UR TO

MILE COBB TRAVEL EXTRA & T THE O URI ING SM GO

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OURISM GOING THE E XTRA EL & T V A MIL TR B EC OB C OB LE I BT M RA A R VE T X L E

A MILE COBB TRAVEL & TO E EXTR H T URI G N I SM GO GO M IS IN R G U TH TO E &

FY2021 ANNUAL REPORT

TH E

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TABLE OF CONTENTS LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO................................................................................4 MISSION AND VISION...........................................................................................................................5

COBB TOURISM STILL IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT.......................................................................6 SALES GOES INTO 5TH GEAR........................................................................................................... 7 BRINGING EVENTS TO COBB...........................................................................................................8

PARTNERSHIPS SET US APART....................................................................................................10

COBB SPORTS ALLIANCE..................................................................................................................11

COBB ARTS VIBE...................................................................................................................................14 COBB IS READY...................................................................................................................................... 16 EXPEDIA CAMPAIGN........................................................................................................................... 17 COBB FOODIE WEEK........................................................................................................................... 18 BUBBLES & BREWS.............................................................................................................................20

HOLIDAY GETAWAY GIVEAWAY..................................................................................................22 DIGITAL MARKETING TAKES COBB FURTHER..................................................................... 24 HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY FORECAST: MAPPING OUR FUTURE.................................. 28

COBB TAKES A STARRING ROLE................................................................................................. 29 OPERATING BUDGET......................................................................................................................... 30

BOARD OF DIRECTORS......................................................................................................................32

OUR TEAM............................................................................................................................................... 34

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Atlanta’s Sweet Spot

LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT AND CEO “WE TOOK THE CHALLENGES POSED AS

AN OPPORTUNITY TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX, TO PUT BOLD NEW IDEAS INTO ACTION, AND TO STAND STRONG WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS.”

While the hospitality industry continued to be hit hard by the pandemic during FY2021 (Oct 1, 2020 - Sept 31, 2021), our county never stopped, and neither did we. Our team worked hard to meet locals and visitors where they were and help show them all the great things our fantastic community has to offer. We took the challenges posed as an opportunity to think outside the box, to put bold new ideas into action, and to stand strong with our community partners.

We know our success is based on the strong relationships we have built throughout the community, and this year we saw the true impact of those bonds. Our arts makers, who shared a common vision within our Cobb Arts

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VIBE initiative, collaborated with each other to adapt and overcome. Our sports community kept fields booked, welcomed new events and set attendance records. Cobb Foodie Week and Bubbles & Brews Craft Beverage Month showcased Cobb’s tastiest offerings to a national audience. And as we helped market all the outstanding things Cobb has to offer, we pushed our message further and to more people than ever before.

Thank you to all of our partners for your steadfast support of Cobb County and Cobb Travel & Tourism. I am proud to say that despite the challenges, our collaborative efforts and perseverance to ‘go the extra mile’ enabled us to keep tourism a leading industry in Cobb County.

travelcobb.org

THE MISSION OF COBB TRAVEL & TOURISM IS TO INCREASE VISITATION TO AND AWARENESS OF COBB COUNTY, THEREBY ENHANCING ECONOMIC IMPACT.

THE VISION COBB COUNTY REMAINS A REGIONALLY AND NATIONALLY KNOWN TRAVEL DESTINATION PROVIDING A REWARDING AND MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE TO ALL VISITORS. COBB COUNTY WILL CONTINUE TO BE RECOGNIZED AS A PREFERRED DESTINATION AMONG PLANNERS AND CONVENTIONS, TRADE SHOWS, SPORTS AND SPECIAL EVENTS, AS WELL AS LEISURE TRAVELERS.

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Atlanta’s Sweet Spot

$1.8B

COBB TOURISM STILL IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT

Even during the pandemic, tourism remained one of the largest industries in Cobb, employing 26,212 people and providing an economic impact of $1.8 billion.* Cobb Travel & Tourism leads the pack in bringing in events and promoting attractions and amenities that make our community Atlanta’s sweet spot. Our in-depth knowledge and the strong relationships we’ve built within and beyond county lines keep residents and visitors coming back to experience everything Cobb has to offer.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

LODGING OVERVIEW

ANNUALLY VISITOR SPENDING GENERATES** IN LOCAL & STATE TAX REVENUES IN WORKER PAYCHECKS

$98.1 Million

$411.9 Million

130

14,365

TOTAL HOTELS

TOTAL ROOMS

OCCUPANCY

65%

2019 Eac have h Cobb hou nee s d $349 ed to p ehold w ay a .80 t ould gen n erat ed b o replac additio y to urism e taxes nal activ ity.* *

FOR EVERY $1 THAT VISITORS SPEND AT A HOTEL PROPERTY, $3 ARE SPENT RIGHT HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY.†

2021

2020

6

48.1% 58.7%

AVERAGE DAILY RATE

2019

Sources: *Robert Lann -- Economic Impact Group -- 2020 Economic Impact Study. † Georgia Department of Labor **Georgia Department of Economic Development -- Tourism (2020)

Cobb Travel & Tourism

2020

2021

$100.82 $77.68 $89.83

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GROUP SALES GOES INTO 5TH GEAR

Instead of slowing down during the pandemic, our sales team doubled their efforts to let planners know that Cobb was open and ready for conventions, tradeshows, corporate, and group business. Since attending the first in-person trade show in Orlando in the fall of 2020, our sales team has been on the road, finding ways to jump-start meetings and events in Cobb.

The professional, group, tradeshow and convention sales team attended 13 in-person tradeshows to connect and build relationships with meeting and event planners, touting all that Cobb County has to offer and how our hospitality community works together to ensure events are successful. During a time when most in the industry were finding their footing, our sales team went the extra mile and generated more than 130 leads and booked 25 meetings and almost 12,000 room nights.* With over $20M in economic impact during FY2021, our sales team is poised and ready to take event growth and the Cobb County name even further in 2022.

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TRADESHOWS ATTENDED

138 LEADS GENERATED

* These numbers represent the Professional/Group and Tradeshow/Convention Markets

ACTS P M I ITY E ITAL P S ES. W O V I H L LE’S MILE PEOP E EXTRA EMIC T TH AND P WEN E H UR ING T EEP O RS DUR K P EL BE TO H MEM Y T I TY MUN TALI COM I P S IN HO KING. WOR

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25 MEETINGS SECURED

11,991†

TOTAL ESTIMATED ECONOMIC IMPACT $20,446,094

ROOM NIGHTS CONTRACTED † includes est. room nights

for year-in and future

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Atlanta’s Sweet Spot

BRINGING EVENTS TO COBB

COBB IS THE SWEET SPOT FOR EVENTS OF ANY SIZE, FROM TRADE SHOWS TO FAMILY REUNIONS. OUR TEAM GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND TO ENSURE EVERY MEETING IS A SUCCESS. Our professional, group, tradeshow and convention sales team works closely with our meeting and event partners to help find the perfect space to meet each group’s unique needs.

Cobb Galleria Centre, one of our longest standing partners, stands out as Cobb County’s anchor when it comes to hosting events. When things shut down, they stepped up to be the first convention center in metro Atlanta to reopen.

They worked tirelessly to welcome back groups, collaborating with us to help accommodate needs and make people feel comfortable.

We were proud to work with the Cobb Galleria Centre to bring these events to Cobb County:

BLADE SHOW Cobb County was pleased to welcome the World’s Largest Knife Show, which focuses on knife education from informative live demos, exciting competitions, and offering the best products in the industry.

SOUTHEASTERN SHOE TRAVELERS ASSOCIATION The Southeastern Shoe Travelers Association, a recurring show at the Cobb Galleria Centre, has been under the leadership and direction of Director Laura O’Brien for more than 42 years. This event brings together the largest number of footwear exhibitors in the United States, showcasing more than 800 shoe brands.

TECHNICAL ASSOCIATION OF PULP AND PAPER INDUSTRY (TAPPI)

SOUTHERN JEWELRY TRAVELERS ASSOCIATION This long-time Cobb County program features a curated collection of top industry vendors and designers. Throughout the program is an extensive variety showcase of classic styles and the newest trends in jewelry. Buyers and brands are able to engage with industry leaders and experts to learn emerging trends and tactical skills needed to navigate an ever-changing and competitive retail landscape.

ANIME WEEKEND ATLANTA Anime Weekend Atlanta (AWA) is a 4-day celebration of Japanese culture, anime (animation), and manga (comics), with a dash of general pop culture. AWA is the largest anime convention in the Southeast.

This world-class program welcomed 1,800 attendees from 575 companies representing business on behalf of 36 countries, 150+ mill sites, and 24,000 mill employees.

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COBB GALLERIA CENTRE

NORTH GEORGIA STATE FAIR

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SIX FLAGS OVER GEORGIA

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Atlanta’s Sweet Spot

PARTNERSHIPS SET US APART

At Cobb Travel & Tourism, we build and sustain relationships. We work closely with our partners in the hospitality community who make Cobb a sought-after destination, including hotels, restaurants, venues and attractions. But we could not accomplish our many goals without the help of county leaders, Cobb County government, all six cities, the Cobb Chamber, SelectCobb, three Community Improvement Districts and other organizations that support our many efforts. Thanks also to those that help ensure that visitors stay safe while they’re enjoying all Cobb has to offer.

THE BATTERY ATLANTA

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COBB STAYS IN THE GAME

Since the Cobb Sports Alliance (CSA) was established in 2013, we have seen our recruiting power skyrocket. In partnership with more than 60 of Cobb’s sports leaders, the CSA brings athletes and their families from across the world to compete right here in Cobb, with everything from balls to bicycles.

With three major league trams calling Cobb home - Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves, Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United FC, and Major League Rugby’s Rugby ATL Cobb is well equipped to manage sporting events and keep spectators entertained when the games are finished.

During the pandemic shutdown, youth sports never slowed down – and neither did our sports sales team, who worked overtime through 2021 to bring sports and tournaments back to Cobb.

SPORTING EVENTS

HOTEL ROOMS

TOTAL ESTIMATED ECONOMIC IMPACT travelcobb.org

87

75,578

$173,144,813 11

Atlanta’s Sweet Spot

HITTING IT OUT OF THE PARK

The Cobb Sports Alliance assisted Perfect Game with 46 tournaments/showcases, bringing 169,240 participants and spectators to Cobb County and Metro Atlanta between March and October 2021. During the summer WWBA tournaments, Perfect Game operated 70+ fields throughout Metro Atlanta including their headquarters at East Cobb Baseball, several Cobb County high schools, and other facilities in the county.

63,590

$145,178,207

ACTUALIZED ROOM NIGHTS

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC IMPACT

“The Perfect Game tournament season takes a big effort from everyone, especially from those at Cobb Travel & Tourism, who helped us with logistics, to the Athletic Directors, coaches, and volunteers at the high schools who shared their fields with us.

We are excited to invest back into our community.”

Taylor McCullough, Vice President of Operations, Perfect Game TAYLOR MCCULLOUGH (L) AND KEVIN HERLIHY(R) BEING HONORED BY HOLLY QUINLAN AND RACHEL ROGERS FOR THE ACTIVITY THEY BRING TO COBB.

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TRUIST PARK

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SPORTS FOR ALL

Cobb Sports Alliance’s focus is recruiting sports tourism in the county, with an eye for adding new and growing sporting events to our roster. While we maintain strong relationships with traditional sports like baseball and football, Cobb is a growing destination for new and unique sports like e-sports, mixed martial arts, lacrosse and adaptive sports.

USA BMX Dixieland Nationals held its largest turnout in its more than 40-year history in Cobb and was a Gold Cup qualifying event, bringing in participants and spectators from 39 states and six countries to South Cobb’s Wildhorse Creek Park, including USA BMX Olympians.

PARTICIPANTS & SPECTATORS 16,000+ ROOM NIGHTS 665+ ESTIMATED ECONOMIC IMPACT $3,123,187

The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), America’s professional lacrosse league, made its only Southeast stop on it’s 14 week tour at Kennesaw State University’s Fifth Third Bank Stadium.

PARTICIPANTS & SPECTATORS 6,000+ ROOM NIGHTS 1,260 ESTIMATED ECONOMIC IMPACT $1,269,842

THE ATLANTA LEGACY SHOWCASE at Lost Mountain Park and Al Bishop Park brought premiere

softball to Cobb, with more than 500 teams, including some of the country’s best players and 300 college coaches.

RUGBY ATL made it to the MLR championship game in only its second season. A fast paced sport, rugby is gaining notoriety and fans through the dynamic play of Rugby ATL.

BLAZE SPORTS

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RUGBY ATL

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Atlanta’s Sweet Spot

The Cobb Arts VIBE, or Visionaries Imagining Bold Experiences, is an initiative founded by Cobb Travel & Tourism in 2018 that connects stakeholders across the performing, visual and cultural heritage arts.

Together, we strengthen the arts community and connect visitors and residents alike to all the art-related experiences Cobb has to offer.

With the pandemic shutting down most indoor venues in 2020 and 2021, VIBE members leaned on each other to create innovative ways to keep business going and connect to their audiences, from virtual to drive-in to in-person with-a-twist performances.

The Georgia Symphony Orchestra performed the world premiere of Nicole Chamberlain’s “Hit the Bricks” outside The Brickyard on Church Street in Marietta, as well as conducted multiple virtual performances.

GEORGIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Ballet fans were treated to drive-in performances of “The Nutcracker” by the Atlanta Ballet at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre and the Georgia Ballet at the Aviation History & Technology Center.

ATLANTA BALLET’S THE NUTCRACKER*

The Marietta Arts Council hosted the M2R TrailFest, a curated collection of fine art, photography, sculpture, live performance and mural exhibits that were displayed at various locations across Cobb. *Photo by Gene Schiavone

MARIETTA SQUARE

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COBB ARTS VIBE MEMBERS GO ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR THE ARTS

Andy Gaines, general manager of the Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre, said that having the Cobb Arts VIBE community already connected and engaged helped, not just the Strand, but other member organizations survive pandemic closures. Colleagues offered not just a sympathetic ear but ideas, advice and help as groups worked together through problems and challenges.

The Strand spent the first part of the year staging dozens of virtual performances, from classic movies to 20th century vaudeville shows, as well as more than 200 private events. It withstood the pandemic and opened its doors to the public in July with a Rolling Stones tribute band. The Strand made a commitment to keeping all its staff and, in return, staff from all departments poured drinks, ran movies, pushed mops and did whatever they could to keep the doors open.

EARL AND RACHEL SMITH STRAND THEATRE

“When you rely on each other during hard times, those relationships are forged in fire - We’ve lived through something together. People are coming back stronger than before in ways they never thought possible. The Strand wouldn’t be where it is now if we hadn’t had those relationships with other VIBE members and the community.” – Andy Gaines,

General Manager, Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre

MARIETTA COBB MUSEUM OF ART

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Atlanta’s Sweet Spot

COBB IS READY CAMPAIGN

This spring, we launched our ‘Cobb Is Ready’ campaign to let travelers know that the entire Cobb community had been hard at work preparing for their return. This effort builds on the success of last year’s ‘Hello Again’ marketing campaign, which reintroduced Cobb’s attractions and amenities to visitors and residents alike.

‘Cobb Is Ready’ outreach assured visitors that we had multiple ways for them to safely enjoy all the unique destinations and assets Cobb has to offer, what ever their comfort level.

#CobbIsReady

To Hit

The Trails CobbIsReady.com

CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS:

• • • •

Itineraries for every level of social comfort, including activities done alone, in smaller groups or around larger crowds of people The latest tourism guidance on Covid-19 Information for event and meeting planners who were interested in booking events at any of Cobb’s venues, including the Cobb Galleria Centre Special hotel packages through our Expedia partnership

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VERY M RECO S I R U O RDED GH A T T AWA N THROU A R G IA, TING GEORG E MARKE R O L BB IS

BY EXP UR ‘CO TO US O D E S TIAL REA POTEN O WE INC T H C AST EA ’ OUTR OUTHE S E H T READY OSS , AND RS ACR IGITAL D , T VISITO N I .

GH PR TISING THROU ADVER A I D E M SOCIAL

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EXPEDIA PARTNERSHIP

As travelers began dusting off suitcases and making plans, we extended our strategic partnership with Expedia to let them know that ‘Cobb Is Ready’ and excited to welcome them back. This national media campaign put a spotlight on the unique attractions, dining and entertainment that makes Cobb a great destination for everyone - from a few friends planning a weekend getaway to a long-awaited family reunion. The Expedia outreach highlighted our partner hotels at no cost to them and generated strong returns.

40.8%

26,257

RETURN ON AD SPEND

ROOM NIGHTS

$4,170,300 GROSS BOOKINGS

7.4M

IMPRESSIONS

15,000 Subscribers 420,000 Print impressions 11,000 Digital impressions

20,000 Circulation 80,000 Print impressions 24,000 Digital impressions

travelcobb.org

GROWING COBB’S REGIONAL EXPOSURE In September 2021, we ran our ‘Cobb Is Ready’ campaign in CityScope Magazine in Chattanooga and South Magazine in Savannah, promoting Cobb to those looking to take a multi-day adventure not too far from home.

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Atlanta’s Sweet Spot

COBB FOODIE WEEK

Held annually each September, Cobb Foodie Week highlighted the diverse cuisines and culinary options available to visitors and residents. From fancy restaurants to food trucks, Cobb foodies enjoyed the best of Cobb’s longtime favorites and newest hotspots with 54 “meal deals” across the county. Our partners offered discounts, giveaways, coupons and new menu items to celebrate the week.

COBBFOODIEWEEK.COM

INCREASE FROM FY20

17,495 WEB PAGE VIEWS

124%

OUR 3 FOODIE WEEK VIDS 46,835 VIEWS

259%

SOCIAL MEDIA ADS 215,064 ADVERTISING IMPRESSIONS

143%

FACEBOOK EVENT 1,049 PEOPLE RESPONDED GOING OR INTERESTED

WE WORKED WITH SIX SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS. CUMULATIVELY, THEIR POSTS WERE LIKED MORE THAN 2,100 TIMES AND RECEIVED 308 COMMENTS!

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50% B OB E C # I OD FO EEK W

CHEF HENRY CHANDLER

“We get a lot of new customers during Foodie Week, and we enjoy doing it!”

- Chef Henry Chandler, Henry’s Louisiana Grill “For us it’s very important to always participate in opportunities for people in the Cobb County area, and even outside the area, to come on in and give us a try.” – Larry Ricca, Stockyard Burgers and Bones

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Atlanta’s Sweet Spot

Our Bubbles & Brews held in March had a successful second year, as craft beverage enthusiasts raised their glasses to Cobb’s 17 unique breweries, distilleries, meaderies and wineries. Participating makers gave away 3,000 “BrewPasses” to residents, who collected stamps at each visit that could be redeemed for exciting prizes.

Our craft beverage makers hosted special events with live music, food, fun activities and giveaways, and Cobb aleheads voted online for their favorites in multiple categories, including best beverage, best patio vibe and most family friendly.

BUBBLES & BREWS 2021 AWARD WINNERS: Best Bubbles & Brews Beverage: Horned Owl Brewing – Wingspan Best Flagship Beverage: Dry County Brewing Co. – Dry County IPA Most Creative Beverage Name: Glover Park Brewery – Who’s Your Caddy Best Patio Vibes: Horned Owl Brewing Best Live Music: Broken Anchor Winery Sweetest Game Spot: Red Hare Brewing Most Likely To Get You Into An Uber or Lyft: Lazy Guy Distillery Most Instagrammable: Glover Park Brewery Most Likely To Make Your Facebook Friends Jealous: Red Top Brewhouse Most Kid-Friendly: Reformation Brewery Most Dog-Friendly: Dry County Brewing Sweetest Brew Team: Red Top Brewhouse

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3,772 USERS AND 11,981 PAGE VIEWS ON BUBBLESANDBREWS.COM 198 PEOPLE REDEEMED THEIR BREWPASSES FOR PRIZES VISITORS FROM 38 DIFFERENT STATES SOCIAL MEDIA ADS REACHED 55,198 PEOPLE 125,940 TOTAL IMPRESSIONS 138 VOTES ON THE WEBSITE

BUBBLES & BREWS PARTICIPANTS ASW Distillery Broken Anchor Winery Burnt Hickory Brewery Dry County Brewing Co. Glover Park Brewery Horned Owl Brewing Ironmonger Brewing Co. Lazy Guy Distillery Red Hare Brewing Co. travelcobb.org

Red Hare - The Still On The Square Red Top Brewhouse Reformation Brewery Schoolhouse Brewing Shezmu Cellars Terrapin Taproom Treehorn Cider Viking Alechemist Meadery

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Atlanta’s Sweet Spot

#HOLI D INCOBAYS B

THE BATTERY ATLANTA

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3,741 PAGE VIEWS

2,000+ CONTEST ENTRIES

68,575

HOLIDAY GETAWAY GIVEAWAY

PEOPLE REACHED

BY SOCIAL MEDIA ADS

The holidays add a little extra sparkle to Cobb with light displays, Santa sightings and seasonal events, making our community an even sweeter spot to visit. To celebrate, we collaborated with some of our hospitality partners for a Holiday Getaway Giveaway, which gave families the chance to make lasting memories at area attractions.

PA

The package, valued at $785, included:

• • • • •

Two nights at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center Four tickets to Six Flags Over Georgia’s Holiday in the Park Admission to the Marietta Pilgrimage Walking Tour Admission to Lights of Life, presented

by Life University Meals at Mac’s Chophouse and Copeland’s New Orleans

IL

OH IN VA NC

TN AR

SC MS

AL

GA

LA

FL

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Atlanta’s Sweet Spot

DIGITAL MARKETING TAKES COBB FURTHER As the world started thinking about hitting the road again, our marketing reach extended further than ever before. Our website, travelcobb.org saw a 29.5% increase in traffic. Our visitors came from all 50 states, and 89% of them were discovering our site for the first time. Cobb is a premier destination, and the message is reaching those looking to travel in Georgia.

41%

INCREAS

E

ADS 1,360,424 IMPRESSIONS

51%

41,098 LINK CLICKS

IN C R E A S E

CLICK-THROUGH RATE 5.74%

ADWORDS 11,250 TOTAL CLICKS CLICK THROUGH RATE 8.3%

+2.8% INCREASE FROM FY20

ENEWSLETTER 4,695 SUBSCRIBERS

TOP 5 STATES WEBSITE GEOREACH

94% INCREASE FROM FY20

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53% INCREA

32% IN C R E A S E

SE

29.5% INCREASE IN WEB TRAFFIC

AGE

19%

89% FIRST TIME VISITORS

32% - 18-34 41% - 35-54 27% - 55+

WEBSITE DEMOGRAPHICS

IN C R E A S E

Female - 63% Male -37%

GENDER

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Atlanta’s Sweet Spot

SOCIAL MEDIA AUDIENCES INCREASE FROM FY20

2,678 INCREASE IN FOLLOWERS 103,287 ENGAGEMENTS

32% 134%

6,175 Followers 4,677 Followers 4,393 Followers

• • • • •

5 TOP

BLOGS BY CLICKS

How to Shoot the Hooch | 7,519 Clicks Sweet Things to Do While Social Distancing | 5,579 Clicks Celebrate July 4th in Cobb | 5,473 Clicks Cobb’s Most Notorious Eats | 4,366 Clicks

TOTAL NUMBER OF BLOGS: 40

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PRESS RELEASES

Atlanta’s Sweet Spot for Holiday Lights | 16,347 Clicks

PUBLIC RELATIONS OUTREACH

358

MEDIA MENTIONS

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ADVERTISING VALUE EQUIVALENCY POTENTIAL REACH

$24,113,808 2,606,898,048

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COCA-COLA ROXY

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Atlanta’s Sweet Spot

MAPPING OUR FUTURE

We hosted our fourth annual Cobb Hospitality Industry Forecast in the fall. At this in-person meeting, Cobb hospitality leaders heard from industry and economic experts learning about issues facing our hospitality industry, trends for 2022, and future market growth. Sharing information on upcoming projects for local attractions, the general economic outlook, and planning data is essential. We support all of our hospitality partners and keep tourism one of the leading industries in Cobb.

SPEAKERS DR. BRAM GALLAGHER

Senior Economist, CBRE Hotels America Research

DR. ROGER TUTTEROW

Professor of Economics, Kennesaw State University

BILL GOUDEY

CEO, Copeland’s of New Orleans Atlanta and Board Member, Georgia Restaurant Association

CHRIS HARDMAN

Director, Governmental Affairs and Membership, Georgia Hotel and Lodging Association

DR. LEONARD JACKSON

Program Director, Kennesaw State University School of Hospitality

DANA JOHNSON

COO, Cobb Chamber; Executive VP of Economic Development & Executive Director, SelectCobb

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COBB TAKES A STARRING ROLE

Cobb Travel & Tourism is the official camera-ready liaison for the Georgia State Film Office, and works with film and television scouts to find the perfect location for their productions. As a Camera Ready community, we help productions connect in Cobb.

Film stimulates Cobb’s economy through many avenues. Production companies use local services including hotels, restaurants, caterers, construction, supplies, dry cleaners, and short-term rented office and warehouse space.

Cobb Travel & Tourism answered more than 190 film location requests and this number continues to grow.

A FEW HIGHLIGHTS OF PRODUCTIONS SHOT IN COBB ARE:

• • • • • •

Bad Trip House Hunters The Game Queens The Out-Laws The Great Christmas Light Fight

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• • • • •

Monarch Hearts of Heroes Ordinary Joe Naomi TyeBreaker

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Atlanta’s Sweet Spot

OPERATIONS BUDGET

Since its inception, Cobb Travel & Tourism has managed its budget with efficiency and effectiveness, always with a strategic eye toward the future. In FY21 we anticipated the pandemic’s impact on tourism and took proactive steps to capture savings and build revenue at every juncture. One such step was the opportunity to apply for and receive our first PPP loan of $251, 651.55, which has already been forgiven. Thanks to this fiscally conservative approach, we were able to utilize savings from FY21 to stabilize the organization during the pandemic and plan for an even brighter future as the hospitality industry continues to recover.

FISCAL YEAR 2021 October 1, 2020 - September 30, 2021

OPERATING REVENUES

$2,913,065 FAVORABLE TO BUDGET BY 13.32%

OPERATING EXPENSES

$2,191,428 FAVORABLE TO BUDGET BY 14.75%

NET INCOME

$721,637 SAVINGS USED TO HELP SUPPLEMENT FUTURE BUDGETS

LAKE ACWORTH

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THE BATTERY ATLANTA

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Atlanta’s Sweet Spot

BOARD OF DIRECTORS ZACH KERNS, CHAIRMAN | Kennesaw State University Sports & Entertainment Park AL MARTIN, SECRETARY | Georgia Power Company MICHAEL KNOWLES, TREASURER | Fifth Third Bank JENNIFER BENNETT | City of Smyrna ROGER FLEMING | Atlanta Marriott Northwest at Galleria COMMISSIONER KELI GAMBRILL | Cobb County Board of Commissioners ERIC GRAY | Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Vinings/Galleria, hotel representative* JOHN HILL | Cobb Galleria Centre & Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre COUNCILWOMAN MICHELLE COOPER KELLY | City of Marietta DALE KAETZEL | Six Flags Over Georgia JIM RHODEN | Futren Hospitality DAWN TRUEMPER | Atlanta Braves

*non voting

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CITY OF SMYRNA

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Atlanta’s Sweet Spot

OUR TEAM

HOLLY QUINLAN

LINDSEY BURRUSS Vice President of Marketing & Media

Resource Manager (retired July 2021)

Public Relations & Film Manager

CHRIS COLBERT

LEAH GRAVISS Group Sales Coordinator

LAURA HORN

Director of Finance & Administration

MELISSA LEGAUX

DIANNE LOVETT

CRISTY PAK

KAITLYN PARHAM

RACHEL ROGERS

President & Chief Executive Officer

Vice President of Sales

National Sales Manager – Professional & Group Business

Cobb Travel & Tourism

Sports Sales & Services Manager

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KATHY BUSKE

Digital Marketing & Design Manager

MAYA CLARK

Director of Trade Show Sales

Director of Sports Sales & Engagement

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KATHY BUSKE RETIRES Cobb Travel & Tourism’s Resource Manager Kathy Buske, affectionately known as “the boss,” retired in July after 25 years of service to the organization.

Kathy is Cobb Travel & Tourism’s longest-serving employee. We celebrated Kathy’s retirement with a few of her favorite things, alongside new and old friends.

Kathy will be dearly missed in the office, not just for her infectious laugh, but for all her hard work and dedication to Cobb’s hospitality industry.

After more than 40 years in the field, she is most looking forward to being on the other side as a tourist in national parks across the country with her husband, Dave.

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Cobb Travel & Tourism One Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339 678.303.2622 | travelcobb.org

@travelcobb #AtlantasSweetSpot