The document outlines the importance of local hospitality in Douglasville, Georgia, detailing how positive guest interactions can enhance the tourism experience and stimulate the local economy. It provides insights into various leisure activities, dining options, and annual events that visitors can enjoy, emphasizing the role of knowledgeable hospitality staff in creating memorable experiences. The Convention & Visitors Bureau offers resources and support for tourism-related activities, fostering partnerships with local attractions and businesses.

1. The City of Douglasville’s Convention & Visitors Bureau Hospitality Training

2. LOCAL HOSPITALITY Why are we here? What do we do? Who are we?

3. What is local hospitality? Welcoming Guest - Customers with warmth and generosity Meeting needs Giving something extra Knowing the local area

4. Why do we care? Its all about economics Satisfied customers spend more money and return Improving job market and stimulates the local economy Everyone benefits: restaurants, retailers, lodging, recreations and others

5. Why is tourism important? In GA alone, tourism accounts for: $20.8 billion in direct expenditures 241, 500 jobs $6.3 billion in resident wages $1.557 billion state & local tax revenue $56.9 million generated daily Information obtained from GA Dept of Econ Dev.

6. The #1 reason visitors do not have a positive experience or do not not return to a community or business is: INDIFFERNCE on the part of the service providers .

7. Tips Tourism is a powerful economic engine when properly fueled. Keep yourself knowledgeable and up-to-date. Hospitality is an attitude. Douglasville is the best place in the world while you live and work in this community!

8. DOUGLASVILLE, GA So what’s there to do? Shopping & Dinning Leisure Activities Day Trips

9. Dining Be prepared: Present each guest with a Dining Guide Know the restaurants in your area Know different types of restaurants Have directions readily available or a phone number you can call Have addresses for GPS users

10. Dining Be familiar with your local proprietors or restaurants: Eat at the restaurant Meet staff and experience food and service Location of restaurant Events hosted by the restaurant Trivia Poker Sports

11. Dining Be familiar with your local proprietors or restaurants: Ask Questions Are reservations recommended? Is there a dress code? Can they handle large groups? Are discounts available?

12. Shopping Again, it’s all in the preparation Know the kind of shopping available Be familiar with locations

13. Shopping Be familiar with locations Exit numbers General Directions Have phone numbers to contact Use a map Have addresses for GPS users

14. Leisure Activities Indoor Activities Outdoor Activities Parks & Recreation Yearly Events

15. Indoor Activities Movies @ Arbor Place Mall Arcade @ Fabiano’s Italian Pizzeria Cultural Arts Center Old Courthouse Museum

16. Outdoor Activities Classic Paintball Located off of Blairs Ridge Road in Lithia Springs, Georgia 770.732.1110 Croquet @ Le Jardin Blanc Located off of Stickland Street in Douglasville 678.838.4449 Horseback Riding Timberidge Stable - 770.942.2441 Hitching Post – 770.577.8987 West Creek Stables – 770.745.0184

17. Outdoor Activities West Pines Golf Course 678.391.1600 Owned by the City of Douglasville Playing 6,800 yards from the Championship tees, this “core” West Pines golf course features Crenshaw bent greens, four sets of tees to ensure an enjoyable experience for the golfers of all skill levels, a full practice range and putting green, and is situated less then 2 minutes off of I-20 (you can see it from the interstate). Greystone Golf Course Greystone Golf Club is located in Douglasville, Georgia, about 20 minutes west of downtown Atlanta. We offer 18 holes of golf set in the rolling terrain of the West Atlanta hills. We also have a large driving range and putting green for your warm-up and practice sessions. The Pro Shop is stocked with the essentials such as gloves, tees, balls, and an assortment of clubs.

18. GEOCACHING Geocaching (pronounced geo-cashing) is a worldwide game of hiding and seeking treasure. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. A geocacher can place a geocache in the world, pinpoint its location using GPS technology and then share the geocache's existence and location online. Anyone with a GPS unit can then try to locate the geocache. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment. The Douglasville Convention & Visitors Bureau currently has placed 5 geocaches in the Historic Downtown Douglasville area. Caches will be added periodically, so start hunting! Cache card can be picked up at the Douglasville Welcome and also accessed online at www.visitdouglasville.com

19. City Parks & Recreation Hunter Park Named after 1 st Lt. Robert Gerald “Jerry” Hunter Veterans Memorial Douglasville Young Railroad Feed the ducks Walking Trail Softball/Baseball Field Outdoor basketball

20. Other City Parks & Recreation Jesse Davis Park Horseshoes, Basketball, Playground, Walking trails, pool, picnic areas Fowler Field Playground, Walking Trails, Soccer/Football Keith Thompson Park & Mill Village Park Basketball, Playground & Picnic Area Worthan Park Picnic Area For a map of all parks in the City of Douglasville contact Douglasville Welcome Center at 770.947.5920

21. Sweetwater State Park Opened in 1976 and encompasses 2,549 acres of land 15 miles west of Atlanta Services Hiking Tours (Day & Night) Picnic Shelters Boat Ramps Programs for Junior Rangers & children

22. Yearly Calendar of Events January – Dia De Los Reyes, Cultural Arts Center, 770.949.2787 February – Black History Month, Cultural Arts Center, 770.949.2787 April – Business to Business Expo, Douglas County Chamber of Commerce, 770.942.5022 May – Main Street Market & BBQ Competition 770.947.5920 Springs Concerts on the Plaza, Cultural Arts Council, 770.949.2787 Taste for the Grape & Taste for Douglasville Arts, CAC, 770.949.2787 June – Summer Arts & Crafts Show, Sweetwater State Park, 770.459.1946 Penny McHenry Hydrangea Festival, Douglasville, 678.838.4449 Juneteenth Festival, 770.947.5920

23. Yearly Calendar of Events July – Friday Night Flicks, O’Neal Plaza, 770.947.5920 Wednesday Wind Down, O’Neal Plaza, 770.947.5920 Fourth of July Parade, Fireworks & Barbeque, Douglasville & Hunter Park – 770.947.5920 September – Labor Day, Parade & Barbeque, Downtown Douglasville & Hunter Park, 770.920.8152 September Saturdays, Douglas County Courthouse, 770.920.7593 Fall Concerts on the Plaza, Cultural Arts Council, 770.949.2787 New Manchester Festival, Sweetwater State Creek, 770.732.5871

24. Yearly Calendar of Events October – West Georgia Quad, Fall Main Street Market, Tike Ride 770.947.5920 Chili Cook Off, O’Neal Plaza, Cultural Arts Council, 770.949.2787 Moonlight Run, Rogue Runners, www.dcrr.clubexpress.com November – Christmas in Lithia, Lithia Springs HS, 770-651-6778 December – City of Douglasville 1 st Annual Christmas Parade, Concert and Annual Tree Lighting, 770.947.5920 All events are subject to change. For a up-to-date list please visit our website, www.visitdouglasville.com

25. Day Trips Group Tours Family Vacations Reunions Field Trips

26. Day Trip Ideas Outdoor Adventures Shopping Atlanta Attractions Historic Tours

27. Day Trips Anytime you have a traveler who needs help planning or setting up a day trip, feel free to refer them to the CVB. We have partnerships with many area attractions that may offer discount ticket prices when booked thru the CVB. 678-715-6069 [email_address]

28. Some of our Attraction Partners

29. Historic Douglasville Historic District – Downtown Douglasville Roberts-Mozley House - Cultural Arts Center Old Douglas County Courthouse Poole-Hudson/Farmer House – Le Jardin Blanc

30. Welcome Center Brochures for Douglasville & Atlanta Attractions Ability to purchase tickets to certain attractions Suggestions for “what to do” Reservations for attractions & activities

31. CVB Services to Hotels Welcome Bags 2 per room for groups, weddings & reunions Leads from Tradeshows, the state & Visitor Information Centers Opportunities to quote rates for upcoming events – which are listed on our website Assistance with RFP’s Promotion of your hotel in our printed materials – Visitors Guide, City Map, Website, etc.

32. Contact Information Douglasville Welcome Center 6694 E. Broad St. Douglasville, GA 30134 770-947-5920 1.800.661.0013 www.visitdouglasville.com Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Myspace & Blogspot!

33. Important Emergency Contacts Douglasville Police Department 770-920-3021 Wellstar Douglas Hospital 770-949-1500 Douglasville Fire Department 770-942-8626