On Feb. 8-9, 2018, the City of Douglas Public Information Department hosted the Magnolia Midlands Travel Association (MMTA) Annual Planning Retreat. During the retreat, MMTA partners learned about hosting a Tourism Product Development Resource Team from Cindy Eidson, Tourism Product Development Director, with the Georgia Dept. of Economic Development.
On Friday, Feb. 9, Sonny Seals and George Hart, Historic Rural Churches Of Georgia authors, spoke about their efforts in identifying churches that are at least 100 years old in small, rural Georgia towns. While in Douglas, the MMTA group toured the site where micro-shops are under construction in downtown, by Kayla Sellers, owner of Tip Top Deli. MMTA also toured the World War II Flight Training Museum, led by Jim Rimes, volunteer. Special thanks to Georgia EMC and Satilla EMC, who provided the retreat facilitator, Araina Reaves (Community Development Consultant, Georgia EMC).
Mr. George Hart and Mr. Sonny Seals, authors of Historic Rural Churches of Georgia, speak to MMTA partners about the importance of documenting the historic churches of Georgia.
Araina Reaves, Community Development Consultant with Georgia EMC, helped the MMTA partners develop goals and action plans for the 2018-2019 year.
MMTA Committee Members present Araina Reaves with a gift basket from MMTA communities.
MMTA partners listen as Cindy Eidson, GDEcD, tells how to request a Tourism Product Resource Team and the steps that communities should follow once a team visits a community.
MMTA Executive Committee presents Cindy Eidson with a basket of appreciation from MMTA
Lori Hennesy, GDEcD Tourism Project Manager, gives MMTA members updates from GDEcD.
Jim Rimes, Volunteer at the WWII Flight Training Museum, gives MMTA members a tour of the WWII Flight Training Museum located at the historic WWII Airbase in Douglas.