ATLANTA, February 4, 2010 — The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is pleased to announce that Coweta and LaGrange-Troup counties will host the state’s 2010 Georgia Travel Media Marketplace event May 20-22. Up to 40 travel writers will meet with representatives from around the state during the marketplace and learn about the many new attractions, destinations and events bringing visitors to Georgia.

“Travel Media Marketplace is a great opportunity to bring travel writers to Georgia and show them first-hand what we have to offer visitors," said GDEcD's Deputy Commissioner for tourism Kevin Langston. “Our communities can build relationships with the writers and continue to share story ideas for years to come.”:

Travel Media Marketplace will provide a glimpse into Georgia’s rich history, cultural experiences, outdoor adventures, world-class attractions, culinary delights and much more. During the Marketplace, writers will meet with host communities as well as Georgia Tourism’s regional tourism team, state travel associations and Georgia’s State Parks. As the marketplace concludes, Georgia Tourism staff will escort journalists on themed media familiarization tours around the state May 22 - 25.

Historic Coweta County, located 30 minutes south of Atlanta, embraces its past and welcomes its future. Newnan, called the “City of Homes,” has six historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places and contains some of Georgia’s most beautiful houses and buildings. The town of Senoia also comprises a historic district listed in the National Register and will be home to the Southern Living 2010 Idea House. Dunaway Gardens, once a theatrical training ground for some of the country's most beloved stage performers, has had visitors like Walt Disney and Minnie Pearl explore its one-of-a-kind rock and floral garden.

LaGrange-Troup County is centered around West Point Lake, a 26,000-acre reservoir with 500 miles of shoreline known as one of the nation’s best bass fishing lakes. Located 55 minutes south of Atlanta on I-85, the area is rich with recreational opportunities. Visitors to LaGrange can enjoy graceful pre-Civil War gardens at Hills & Dales estate, tour the new Kia auto manufacturing plant, or walk through Biblical times at the Explorations in Antiquity Center, the only attraction of its kind in North America.

Travel Media Marketplace is hosted by the Georgia Tourism Division and the host communities to showcase Georgia’s wide variety and high quality of travel destinations to travel media from around the United States. Past marketplace events have been held in Savannah, Athens, Macon, Atlanta, Hiawassee and Augusta.

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