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hor n W hether locals realize it or not, there are almost limitless things to do year-round in Macon-Bibb County. In recent years, there have been subtle – and not-so-subtle – changes in how Macon- Bibb County is promoted worldwide to increase tourism. It began with overhauling the organization tasked with attracting visitors statewide, nationally, internationally – and even locally. "It used to be the Convention and Visitors Bureau," said Marisa Rodgers, director of marketing for Visit Macon, the rebranded entity that oversees the Macon Visitors Center on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. "We do destination marketing." In today's digital age, the visitor's center relies heavily on social media to advance its message. "We're just trying to get people to pull off the interstate and spend the night with us," Rodgers said. "Our sole mission is to get people to come into Macon." Gone are the days when travelers discovered Macon only through billboards on I-75. Now, Rodgers and the 15-person staff at Visit Macon use videos and mobile-friendly content inform travelers about lodging, amenities, attractions, places of interest, and the history of the area. One such tool they use to attract people is "geofencing" – location-based, programmatic advertising that reaches people directly on their phones. The Visitors Center plays a key role in promoting the International Cherry Blossom Festival, which had an economic impact of $6.1 million in 2024, up by more than $500,000 from 2023. Rodgers and her team came up with the "Pink Provisions Trail" to highlight local eateries serving pink or cherry themed food and drinks during the festival, including a kickoff tasting event held at Cherry Street Plaza. While data for 2025 is not yet available, Rodgers considered this June/July 2025 | maconmagazine.com 37