This summer, visitors and residents alike can take advantage of three affordable packages that provide access to the city’s top attractions. MVP, or Most Valuable Package; Pemberton Place Pass and Atlanta CityPass are available on Atlanta.net/summer where buyers also have the option to purchase hotel accommodations at a special price.

The MVP includes tickets to the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola, an all-day pass to Six Flags Over Georgia, an all-attractions pass to Stone Mountain Park, and an upper box section ticket to an Atlanta Braves game. On the Web site, buyers can also sign up for a free Georgia Dream Pass, Georgia’s “membership rewards” program that provides access to offers and benefits that are exclusive to card holders. Visit participating members around the state of Georgia and enjoy special member rates on green fees, additional nights at golf resorts, priority tee times and many other exceptional offers at 35 participating golf courses and resorts. The program also includes rewards and special offers at 79 of Georgia’s most popular tourist attractions.

Pemberton Place Pass is a specially priced combination ticket that offers admission to the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium at one combo price. Adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park, both attractions are conveniently situated next to one another at Pemberton Place®, a 20-acre complex named after John S. Pemberton, the pharmacist who invented Coca-Cola® in 1886. Pemberton Place Pass prices are $36.50 for adults (ages 13-64); $31 for seniors; and $26.50 for youth (ages 3-12).

Bypass the main ticket lines with an Atlanta CityPass, a booklet featuring eight attractions for only $69. Choose from the Georgia Aquarium; World of Coca-Cola; Zoo Atlanta; Inside CNN Atlanta; Fernbank Museum of Natural History or Atlanta Botanical Garden; and High Museum of Art or Atlanta History Center. Atlanta CityPass is valid for nine days and the validity period begins the first day the booklet is used. The booklet is packed with attraction information, transportation directions, a map, coupons and special offers, and expert advice on where to find distinctive Atlanta tastes, goods, and off-beat places from the experts at National Geographic Traveler magazine.

For more information, please contact ACVB Public Relations.

Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) announced several staff changes aimed at increasing the destination’s important leisure and convention business.

Andrew Wilson has been named senior vice president & general manager of atlanta.net.  In the newly created position, Wilson will be responsible for the direction of all online initiatives which include atlanta.net and its family of websites.  He will also work with bureau members and the city’s key organizations to integrate content and messaging.

In addition, Wilson has been charged with developing ecommerce initiatives that will boost the bureau’s overall promotion of Atlanta.   Wilson previously served as Chief Operating Officer of Brand Atlanta and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Capetown in South Africa.

“Tourists and conventioneers are increasingly turning to the web for information on what to see and do in Atlanta,” said William Pate, ACVB president & CEO. “Andrew brings an extensive background in web management and interactive destination marketing that will help us better serve our visitors and bring more tourists to our city.”

ACVB also announced the promotion of Ellie Westman Chin to senior director, membership & visitor services.  Westman Chin will be responsible for expanding ACVB’s membership base and building value added programs. In 2006, she joined ACVB as director of membership and significantly increased the bureau’s membership profile. 

“Ellie’s commitment to customer service has elevated Atlanta’s reputation and has allowed us to increase our membership substantially,” said Pate.  “Membership is the bloodline of the bureau and we really rely on our members when selling and creating memorable Atlanta experiences.”

Bill Howard, vice president of marketing, also announced his retirement effective January 31, 2009.  Howard led the bureau’s marketing team and was instrumental in positioning Atlanta as a global destination. Howard came out of retirement in August 2007 and will serve as a consultant on special projects.

“We are grateful to Bill for his leadership and commitment to marketing Atlanta as a premiere destination for conventioneers and tourists,” Pate said. “We wish him well in his retirement and appreciate his willingness to consult with the bureau on future projects.”

The 50 Fun Things to Do in Atlanta page on Atlanta.net has been further enhanced! The new Custom 50 Fun Things section, allows you to match your personality type to five Atlanta fun doers for ideas on how to plan your Atlanta itinerary. 

Which is the following descriptions best describes your personality?

Kate is a fashionista shopaholic. She always knows which color is the new black and will find the accessories to match at savvy shopping destinations around Atlanta. View itinerary.

Gary is an Art Aficionado–Theater Buff, hitting Atlanta’s museums by day and theaters by night. Gary is always there at neighborhood gallery strolls and knows the inside scoop on where to go. View itinerary.

Felicity is a Nature-loving Festival Follower. She doesn’t miss a moment outside and especially enjoys outdoor festivals that are held in Atlanta mostly all year. View Itinerary.

Sean is a sometimes snootie comfort foodie. He dines out every chance he gets and tries all the new restaurants, from family-owned eateries to dazzling dining destinations. View itinerary.

Emily is a club hopping music maniac. She hits Atlanta night clubs and lounges for dancing and live music because she knows that Atlanta nightlife suits every style of letting loose. View itinerary.

Create your own itinerary by visiting the 50 Fun Things to Do page. Pick and choose your favorite activities in your favorite spots of town by either viewing a complete listing of the top 50 things to do in the city, searching by activity (sports, tours and attractions, arts & culture, historic places, shopping, dining and nightlife) or searching by neighborhood (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, East of Downtown and  Metro Atlanta).  

ATLANTA (Dec. 17, 2008) - Bring your fan gear and holiday cheer and join more than 75,000 of your closest friends to celebrate the New Year in Atlanta as the No. 14 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets take on the LSU Tigers in the 41^st annual Chick-fil-A Bowl, Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m. in the Georgia Dome.

To make it easy and affordable to take a downtown "staycation" and experience all of the festivities surrounding the big game, selected hotels are offering additional discounted rates for Georgia residents. These special hotel packages are available online at Atlanta.net/chick-fil-a-bowl, the ultimate resource for creating your own personalized Atlanta experience during the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

On Tuesday, Dec. 30, spend the afternoon exploring Atlanta's walkable ring of attractions anchored by Centennial Olympic Park, just steps away from the Georgia Dome. Sample more than 70 varieties of Coca-Cola products and specialty holiday beverages at the World of Coca-Cola, tour the world's first all-news television network at CNN Center and take a spin around Atlanta's only outdoor ice skating rink located amongst the glittering lights at the Park. At 6 p.m., stroll over to the world's largest aquarium to mix and mingle with other fans during Chick-fil-A Bowl Fan Night.

On Wednesday, Dec. 31 from 12:30-2 p.m., wear your fan attire and join in the fun at the Chick-fil-A Bowl Parade, the official kick-off event for the game which will feature colorfully themed floats, classic cars, mascots, award-winning bands, dance groups and more. The parade ends at the Georgia World Congress Center leading all fans into the halls of the Chick-fil-A Bowl FanFest presented by Coca-Cola. You won't want to miss this giant indoor pep rally where you'll have the chance to cheer on both teams as they part the crowd and make their way to the turf.

Whether you watch the game at a nearby sports bar or in the Dome, the party continues after the game at Underground Atlanta's 20^th Annual Peach Drop, the largest New Year's Eve party in the Southeast. Following a performance by Dancing with the Stars' Julianne Hough and the 800-pound peach drop at midnight, Kenny's Alley nightlife district at Underground Atlanta is the perfect place to celebrate into the early hours of the New Year.

Established in 1913, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, nonprofit organization created to favorably impact the Atlanta economy through conventions and tourism.

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ACVB Media Contacts:    

Suzanne Forte, 404-521-6632, sforte@atlanta.net 

Sarah Solomon, 404-521-6645, ssolomon@atlanta.net

Amanda Latson, 404-521-6398, alatson@atlanta.net

Today, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin unveiled an Atlanta holiday window display on Good Morning America’s (GMA) annual seasonal showcase of American cities. Atlanta is one of three cities picked this year for the display in GMA’s ground level studios windows in New York’s Times Square. Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau in partnership with Brand Atlanta tapped designers at Abcom Inc. to create the giant snow-globe display. 

Check out photos of Atlanta's holiday window.

Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau has partnered with local designers at Abcom, Inc. to develop and engineer an Atlanta holiday window display for Good Morning America’s annual seasonal showcase of American cities. More than 4.3 million viewers will tune in on Thursday, Dec. 4 when Mayor Shirley Franklin unveils the window on GMA. Atlanta was one of three cities chosen to create a holiday window which will be displayed in GMA’s ground level studios windows in Times Square for the remainder of the year.  Todd Gurley and his design team at Abcom, Inc. developed and engineered the snow globe from a concept created by Bette Sammons with ACVB.The window showcases 12 notable Atlanta landmarks that are encompassed in a 13.5-foot-wide snow globe, integrated with movement and lighting effects, and frosted with holiday traditions, from southern grits to holiday glitz. To support the theme, large, glittery snowflakes surround the globe and 15 pounds of “real grits” simulate snow falling on the landmarks. Some of the holiday events captured in the snow globe include ice skating at Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker at the Fabulous Fox Theatre, and Macy’s Pink Pig ride, an annual holiday tradition since 1953.  

Show your support for Atlanta by tuning in to the morning news show from 7-9 a.m. EST next Thursday on the ABC Television Network.

Beginning Wednesday, Dec. 3, Good Morning America's ground level studio windows in Times Square will be transformed to represent three cities - Kansas City, Denver, and...ATLANTA! The windows will bring viewers – and people who visit in person – a fun and festive look at holiday traditions in each city. (Click here to discover some of Atlanta's holiday traditions.)

Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau has partnered with Abcom, Inc. to develop and engineer the window which will be unveiled Thursday, Dec. 4 on GMA to more 4.3 million viewers nationwide and will become a backdrop for the show for the remainder of the year. The window will showcase iconic Atlanta attractions that are encompassed in a 13.5-foot-wide snow globe and frosted with holiday traditions, from southern grits to holiday glitz.

Learn more about the GMA Holiday Windows.

Also, check out the photo gallery on ATL Insider to see a sneak peek of the window's design process.

Stay tuned for additional updates about the holiday window, including a look into the design process, fun facts, and a preview of some of the landmarks represented in the snow globe.