Submitted

Simply Southern Tourism Association Inc. unveiled details recently in regard to the host county for the Second Annual Award Reception to be held on Friday, Feb. 22, 2008.

The association represents the following 13 counties in Georgia:  Butts, Clayton, Coweta, Fayette, Henry, Jasper, Lamar, Meriwether, Monroe, Pike, Spalding, Troup and Upson. Based in Experiment, the association’s goal is to bring tourists to Georgia.

The association’s First Annual Award Reception, held on Feb. 23, 2007, at the Legacy Theatre in Fayette County, drew more than 125 people from across the 13-county region.

“The Historic Monticello Civic Center (known as the 319 College St. property owned by the Jasper County Historical Foundation) has a seating capacity of 200. This allows for wonderful networking opportunities among those present. We project a sell-out night as last year’s event served as a testament to the fact that our area is committed to the promotion of tourism,” said Matthew Stafford, vice president of the association. 

Mayors across the 13-county region will be presenting the following five awards: Simply Shop, Simply See, Simply Stay, Simply Savor, Simply Service. Two additional awards will be presented — the Volunteer of the Year award and the Tourism Friendly Community of the Year award. Monticello was the recipient of the 2006 Tourism Friendly Community of the Year award. 

“Jasper County hosting the Second Annual Award Reception is further evidence that their community wants tourism and actively pursues partnerships with SSTA,” said Stafford.

Simply Southern Tourism Association Inc. is a Georgia nonprofit corporation and is organized to serve as a catalyst to enhance economic and community growth through the promotion and development of tourism in the mid-central Georgia area.

For more information visit www.simplysoutherntourism.org or call (678) 688-1741.