DMA05 Site Atlanta Ready to Welcome Visitors

Direct marketers headed to the capital of the “Peach State” for DMA05 can expect a warm southern welcome from the Direct Marketing Association’s Atlanta Chapter — and the state of Georgia in general.

“It’s been a long time since DMA annual has been here, so we’re very excited,” said Anna Brantley, chairperson of the Atlanta Chapter.

The group has several special events planned for the conference, including an afternoon session on Monday, Oct. 17 open to all attendees. Steven Howard, vice president/director of analysis and operations for Grey Direct will present “The ‘Wow’ of Atlanta — the Campaign Rebranding This Amazing City.” And that morning, the chapter has also partnered with the Direct Marketing Educational Foundation for a panel discussion of industry leaders for college students.

The state of Georgia is also ramping up to entice visitors. On Thursday, the Georgia Department of Economic Development unveiled the state’s new marketing strategy of parallel campaigns inviting tourists and businesses to the state.

“Putting your dreams is motion” is the theme of the effort, which will include a frequent visitor loyalty program and an updated Web site, http://www.georgia.com, slated to launch Sept. 28.

Atlanta was the first regional DM association to become part of the national DMA, noted Brantley, an account executive with Experian. There are currently five regional chapters: Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Northern California, Ohio and Southern California.

For more on the Atlanta Chapter, see “Inside the DMA,” a special supplement to the Oct. 15 issue of Direct.