Winner and a Guest Will Experience an Eight-Day Musical Odyssey
Through Atlanta, Athens and Macon

ATLANTA (April 4, 2016) – Georgia, a state known for its musical heritage that ranges from James Brown to Luke Bryan, is looking for a passionate music fan to explore its vibrant music scenes and bring them to life via social media.

The winner of the #GeorgiaMusic Backstage Pass contest will showcase Georgia’s deep-rooted musical history and highlight music-focused experiences through Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and the ExploreGeorgia.org blog.

“The timing for the Georgia Music Backstage Pass couldn’t be more perfect, with 2016 being proclaimed the ‘Year of Georgia Music’,” said Kevin Langston, deputy commissioner of tourism at the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “The lucky winner will experience a custom-made music-focused itinerary combined with the unique brand of southern hospitality for which Georgia is known.”

Music tourism continues to grow around the world as people travel to engage with live music and music heritage through concerts, festivals, tours, exhibitions, attractions and landmarks. With its own rich and influential music heritage and more than 100 music festivals statewide, Georgia offers visitors authentic and memorable experiences that put fans closer to their favorite artists from the past and today. This contest will entice visitors to take their own headlining tour by showcasing the many things that make Georgia a storied musical destination.

To enter the #GeorgiaMusic Backstage Pass, die-hard music fans must follow @ExploreGeorgia on Instagram, post a photo tagging @ExploreGeorgia using the hashtags #GeorgiaMusic and #GeorgiaBackstagePass, and tell ExploreGeorgia why he/she loves Georgia Music.

@ExploreGeorgia will select five finalists based on creative photography, social interaction and engagement. The finalists’ entries will be posted to the @ExploreGeorgia blog on April 18, 2016 for public voting. A winner will be announced on April 25, 2016.

The #GeorgiaMusic Backstage Pass grand prize includes the following:

  • Round-trip air transportation to/from Atlanta
  • Hotel accommodations (eight nights) in Atlanta, Athens and Macon
  • Rental car
  • Music-focused tours and experiences in Atlanta, Athens and Macon
  • Two VIP tickets to the Shaky Knees Music Festival in Atlanta (May 13-15)
  • Daily stipend of $150

One (1) runner up will win two tickets to the Shaky Beats Music Fest, taking place May 20-22 at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. Shaky Beats features more than 40 top electronic, indie and hip-hop acts across three stages.

The winner must be 25 years of age or older, and his/her accompanying guest must be 21 years of age or older, by May 8, 2016. The winner and guest must depart from an airport in the 48 contiguous United States.

For more information on entering the Georgia Music Backstage Pass visit link. For media inquiries, please contact Roland Alonzi at ralonzi@daltonagency.com or Kaley Volkmann at kvolkmann@daltonagency.com.

[Editor’s Note: High-resolution images of music in Georgia can be downloaded at www.picturegeorgia.org.]

About GDEcD

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state’s sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, aligning workforce education and training with in-demand jobs, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a destination for arts and location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. www.georgia.org

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