Leadership Southeast Georgia Group to Learn About Tourism Industry in Savannah

October 9, 2008

This weekend leaders from several counties in southeast Georgia will travel to Savannah where they will have the opportunity to learn about and experience the area’s successful tourism industry. The group will visit many sites including the Savannah History Museum, the Roundhouse Railroad Museum, Battlefield Park, Leopold’s Ice Cream, and many Historic Savannah squares.

The Coastal Georgia Center will serve as the host site for the group as they hear from a variety of speakers on Friday, including:

• Chief Michael Berkow – Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department

The effect of tourism on law enforcement – October 10, 10:30 a.m.

• Al Kennickell – Volunteer Chairman, Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf, and owner and president of Kennickell Print and Global Marketing

Why events are important – October 10, 11:15 a.m.

• Stratton Leopold – owner of Leopold’s Ice Cream

‘Behind the scenes” with the film industry in Savannah – October 10, 2:15 p.m.

• Joe Marinelli – President, Savannah Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

Promoting Savannah as a destination site for tourists, as well as a place to call home for residents and businesses – October 10, 3:30 p.m.

NOTE: Members of the media are invited to attend each session.

On Saturday, the group will focus on ‘Effective Communications.” Guest speaker Beverly Graham will provide an opportunity for the group to interact and learn effective communications techniques.

Through six, two-day sessions, at approximately monthly intervals, Leadership Southeast Georgia introduces leaders from a ten-county area to the skills and knowledge necessary to become successful leaders at the state and regional level. The program effectively builds on local leadership programs.

In addition to the Savannah session, the group will visit Liberty, Bryan, Effingham, and Bulloch counties. The Teamwork session was held in Glynn County in September. Among topics to be covered in future sessions are: Economic Development, Healthcare, Transportation/Infrastructure, and Agribusiness.

The Leadership Southeast Georgia Program is sponsored in cooperation with Georgia Southern University.

Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University, offers more than 120 degree programs serving more than 17,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The University, one of Georgia’s largest, is a top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars and is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.