Columbia's Famously Hot Initiative Recognized with Prestigious Award at SC Governor's Conference on Tourism & Travel

Members from the brand team accepted the award on Tuesday at the awards luncheon during the conference. (L to R) Back: Bill Ellen, Lora Prill, Chad Prosser, John Durst, Libby Gober, Miriam Atria; Front: Douglas OFlaherty, Mandi Engram, Kelly Barbrey, Ric Luber, Tommy Stringfellow

Columbia’s “Famously Hot” marketing initiative was recognized with the prestigious Governor’s Cup award as the state’s top travel and tourism honors were presented at the 45th annual S.C. Governor’s Conference on Tourism & Travel.

The Governor’s Cup is awarded each year to honor a tourism partner whose event or organization has had a significant impact on the economy and quality of life for its community as well as the entire state. It is considered the top tourism award in the state.

"This is much more than a win for a brand and marketing campaign—it is a win for our region," said Ric Luber, President and CEO of the Midlands Authority for Conventions Sports & Tourism. The Authority, whose mission it is to market and sell the Columbia area to leisure and business travelers and meeting planners, led the effort to develop a destination brand in 2008. 

“This honor would not be possible without the participation and support of all of our partners who worked so hard to develop and promote the brand and campaign,” Luber said. “We’re proud of our partners. We’re proud of our community, and we’re excited for the future of Famously Hot Columbia.”

The branding and advertising campaign is entering its third year, having generated more than a million unique visitors to the Authority’s web sites and over 750,000 video views on YouTube, along with more than 15,000 fans on Facebook and 8,500 followers on Twitter. In addition, more than 50 businesses and organizations have incorporated the new brand into their marketing campaigns and communications.

To develop the campaign, the Authority partnered with industry and community leaders, individuals who market the area and ADCO, a local strategic, creative and interactive agency to work through a brand identity process. “Famously Hot” rose to the surface as being unique, differentiating and attention grabbing, after the team of more than 40 individuals defined the essence of the Columbia area as The New Southern Hot Spot.

Tourism is a $1 billion industry for the Columbia region and supports 12,000 area jobs that provide services, products and amenities for visitors, saving tax paying households an estimated $675 a year due to the economic impact of tourism in the state.

The awards luncheon included remarks from Roger Dow, president of the U.S. Travel Association and director Chad Prosser of the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism.

This year’s Governor’s Conference was held at the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes. A range of experts in the tourism business presented during the three-day gathering, and which also included the debut of the state’s new “South Carolina: Made for Vacation” marketing brand.

About the Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism:

The Midlands Authority for Conventions, Sports & Tourism is a private, not-for-profit corporation funded primarily by revenue generated by visitors through accommodations taxes and is the parent organization of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, and the Columbia Regional Sports Council. The mission of the Midlands Authority is to strengthen the area’s economy by marketing and selling Columbia, its accommodations, restaurants, facilities and attractions as a destination for meetings, conventions, tradeshows, special events and leisure travel. For more information, please visit columbiacvb.com.

Here's video from the awards luncheon -- sorry it's a little shaky -- I was trying to take pictures and video at the same time!

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Meet Riverbanks Zoo's Newest Addition, Baby Oliver the Koala

Koala Knockabout Has a New Addition
Riverbanks Zoo Introduces New Joey

On your next trip to Riverbanks make sure you stop by Koala Knockabout – you might catch a glimpse of Oliver, the Zoo’s newest resident, a joey (or baby koala).

While koalas have a teddy bear-like appearance, they are not a bear at all. Koalas are marsupials, similar to kangaroos; the females have a pouch where they carry their young during development.

Oliver was born in late April 2009 to parents Lottie and Jimmy. The newborn spent nearly seven months developing in his mother’s pouch before the keepers even caught a peek at him.

“The keepers observed movement in Lottie’s pouch in July, but it wasn’t until late October that they got the first look at Oliver’s face,” said John Davis, curator of mammals at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.

When a koala is born it is about the size of a jellybean. It travels through the birth canal to the pouch where it nurses for several months without making a public appearance. As a joey grows, it may stick an arm, leg or even its head out of the pouch for short periods of time before it feels confident enough to come completely out of the pouch.

Now, too large for Lottie’s pouch, Oliver spends most of his day perched on mom’s back or tucked around her stomach.

Lottie, Oliver’s mother, came to Riverbanks from Australia in 2003, as a result of a sister-state relationship formed between South Carolina and Queensland, Australia. Jimmy, Oliver’s father, came to Riverbanks in December of 2008 from the Los Angeles Zoo.

Oliver will remain at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden for the next several months while he continues to grow, clinging to the back of his mother. Once he reaches about 12 months, he will be considered mature and weaned from his mother. Ultimately, Oliver will be transferred to another zoo based on breeding recommendations from the Species Survival Plan (SSP).

Oliver is the first offspring for Jimmy and the third for Lottie.

It is the mission of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden to foster appreciation and concern for all living things. Riverbanks is located at 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC 29210. The Botanical Garden entrance is located at 1300 Botanical Parkway, West Columbia, SC 29169. The park is open daily from 9am to 5pm, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas day. Admission is $9.75 for adults, $7.25 for children ages 3 – 12 and free for children 2 and under. Group rates and other discounts may apply. For more information, call Riverbanks at 803.779.8717 or visit www.riverbanks.org.

Celebrate 2010 with Free Fridays at the Zoo through February

Start the New Year with a FREE visit to the Zoo. Riverbanks’ Free Fridays program kicked off last Friday, January 1, and continues through February 26. Each Friday during the months of January and February residents of Richland and Lexington counties will receive free admission to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.

“The Free Fridays program is a way for Riverbanks to show our appreciation for the continued support by the residents of Richland and Lexington counties,” said Satch Krantz, executive director of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.

Riverbanks is a special purpose district and receives funding each year from the taxpayers of Richland and Lexington counties. To qualify for free admission, Richland and Lexington county residents will be asked to show proof of residency with a valid ID or a copy of their property tax statement. All other visitors will be charged regular admission. There is no limit to the number of Fridays Richland and Lexington county residents can visit during the promotion – they can come one Friday or all nine.

Riverbanks’ winter hours are 9am to 5pm daily. January and February make for a great time to visit the Zoo because many of the animals are most active during the cooler winter months. There are also several indoor exhibits where guests can step in from the cold. These exhibits include the Birdhouse at Riverbanks, Aquarium Reptile Complex, Gorilla Base Camp and Koala Knockabout.

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It is the mission of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden to foster appreciation and concern for all living things. Riverbanks is located at 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, SC 29210. The Botanical Garden entrance is located at 1300 Botanical Parkway, West Columbia, SC 29169. The park is open daily from 9am to 5pm, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas day. Admission is $9.75 for adults, $7.25 for children ages 3 – 12 and free for children 2 and under. Group rates and other discounts may apply. For more information, call Riverbanks at 803.779.8717 or visit www.riverbanks.org.

Winter Fest Comes to the State Museum

Parents wondering what to do with the kids when school is out for the winter holidays need look no further than Winter Fest, the South Carolina State Museum’s annual holiday tradition.

Now in its third year, Winter Fest, a two-week long celebration of the winter season, kicks off Saturday, Dec. 19, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and runs until Sunday, Jan. 3. “On Dec. 19 at noon, our guests will enjoy musical selections from Tchaikovsky’s immortal ‘Nutcracker Suite’ played by the Lake Murray Chamber Orchestra,” said State Museum Director of Programs and Education Meika Samuel. “Plus, we’ll have seasonal crafts and Winter Star Lab portable planetarium shows for exploring the winter sky.”

Also dropping by on Dec. 19 will be Santa, the “right jolly old elf” himself, who will make the first of four appearances at Winter Fest that day. He’ll be back to spread holiday cheer on Dec. 21, 22 and 23.

Winter Fest continues Sunday, Dec. 20 with a special holiday concert by gospel singers Levitical Praise at 3 p.m.

Other highlights of Winter Fest include “Shortest Day, Longest Night,” a day of programs on the winter solstice, Monday, Dec. 21, said Samuel. The day’s activities include winter solstice crafts, winter Star Labs and a musical performance by Generation of Darlington High School.

On Tuesday, Dec. 22, museum guests will learn more about winter holidays around the world with multicultural displays and performances.

Wednesday, Dec. 23, children and their parents can celebrate the winter school break with Dinosaur Day at the State Museum. Families can enjoy dinosaur crafts and two showings of the popular hit movie “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs,” at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Additional showings of “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” can be seen on Saturday, Dec. 26 and Thursday, Dec. 31.

“Also during Winter Fest, amateur photographers whose Christmas wish is to learn how to take photos like a professional can learn the basic rules that accomplished photographers follow to produce beautiful photos,” Samuel said. “Five star Canon master photographer Manuel Gaetan will lead a photo seminar Tuesday, Dec. 29 at 1:30 p.m.”

The Museum will present winter Star Lab programs all during Winter Fest. These 30- minute portable planetarium shows ($3 per person) focus on seasons, constellations and moon phases. Star Labs will be presented Dec. 19, 21-23, 26, 28-31, and Jan. 1-2.

In addition, local potter Paul Moore will give pottery-making demonstrations on a treadle potter’s wheel on Wednesday, Dec. 23, Wednesday, Dec. 30 and Thursday,

Dec. 31.

“Seasonal crafts and special holiday movies will be offered every day from

Dec. 19 through Jan. 3,” said Samuel. “Plus, we’ll offer a selection of short seasonal films every day at 2 p.m. with a marathon of four movies on Wednesday, Dec. 30. It’s a sleigh full of activities that we hope people will want to return to several times.”

Unless otherwise noted, events are free with membership or admission. Winter Fest continues through Sunday, Jan. 3. For more information and a full schedule of events, call (803) 898-4952 or visit www.southcarolinastatemuseum.org.

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Five Points Holiday Party

Join Five Points for their 3rd Annual Taste of Five Points holiday party and get-together. The event will be held Tuesday, December 8 from
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Parrotheads located at 734 Harden Street. Enjoy complimentary beverages and delicious food prepared by the Five Points hospitality merchants. Bring yourself, a guest, your employees, etc!

Holiday Happenings with Historic Columbia

Candlelight and Carriage Tours

Friday, December 4

5:30 p.m. -8:30 p.m.

Robert Mills House, 1616 Blanding Street

The Robert Mills House will be open for lantern tours for one evening only. Costumed guides will lead tours and provide engaging stories of 19^th- century holiday preparations for guests. After the lantern tour, visitors can tour the Robert Mills Historic Garden District on a horse-drawn carriage. The carriage ride will provide riders with views of decorated homes and information about the architecture and history of the neighborhood. Lantern Tours are $10, $5 for children and free for members. Carriage rides are $5 per person. Call 803.252.1770, ext. 24 for reservations or email reservations@historiccolumbia.org. Visit www.HistoricColumbia.org for more information.

Scout Day: Historic Holiday

Saturday, December 5

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts are invited to tour three house museums and learn how families in Columbia celebrated the holidays during the 19^th century. Participants will make a holiday craft, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, and visit with a Victorian Santa. Call 803.252.1770, ext. 24 for reservations or email reservations@historiccolumbia.org. Admission is $8 per child, $5 per adult.

Choir Showcase and Free Tours

Saturday, December 5

Noon – 4 p.m.

Local elementary schools will perform holiday music live at the Robert Mills House. As a gift to the community, Historic Columbia Foundation will offer complimentary tours of historic houses. For more information, call 803.252.1770, ext. 33 or visit www.HistoricColumbia.org.

Historic Columbia Foundation Brings Classic Holidays to Visitors

Decorated Houses, Lantern Tours, and Programs Provide Economical Family Entertainment through the Holidays

November 20, 2009 – January 3, 2010

Columbia’s Historic House Museums

COLUMBIA, SC – Families and tourists can enjoy affordable holiday activities with the Historic Columbia Foundation from now through January 3 as the organization hosts a classic holiday experience with decorated house tours, carriage rides, a Victorian Santa, hands-on crafts, and live music.

Visitors can participate in a variety of holiday events in an historic setting, which includes three of Columbia’s historic house museums decorated for 19^th-and 20^th-century holiday entertaining.

Tours of Decorated Historic Houses

now– January 3, 2010

Tuesday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sundays, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

1616 Blanding Street

Visitors can take guided tours of decorated house museums including the Robert Mills House, Hampton-Preston Mansion, and Mann-Simons Cottage. All tours offer a glimpse into the lives of three different families and what it may have been like to entertain and prepare for the holidays in late 19^th -and early 20^th -century Columbia. Visitors can view detailed greenery and faux food throughout each house.

Admission is $6 (single adult admission), $3 (ages 6-17), and free (5 and under). Reservations are required for group tours or to take a special 90-minute, three-house tour. Call 803.252.1770, ext. 24. Visit www.HistoricColumbia.org for more information.