“Mission Toccoa” recognized as “Best Downtown Special Event” by Georgia DCA

Downtown Toccoa’s participation in the Georgia Cities Heart and Soul Bus Tour back in April has garnered statewide recognition.

The Georgia Downtown Association and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs announced that "Mission Toccoa" was the "Best Downtown Special Event" at as special ceremony during the annual Georgia Downtown Conference on October 8 in Roswell, GA. (Pictured receiving the award are, from left, Shawn Apostel, Sharon Crosby, and Connie Tabor -- photo by Billy Chism.)

The Best Downtown Special Event is presented to an organization displaying excellence in planning and staging a festival, promotional series or other special downtown based event.

"Mission Toccoa" showcased Toccoa’s history and downtown renovation efforts to the Heart and Soul VIP’s while creating a memorable experience for the tour participants. To accomplish this, Toccoa Main Street created a virtual WWII era experience (based on Toccoa’s role in training paratroopers during WWII) for the participants, complete with era-inspired video reels, newspaper insert, role-playing, and entertainment.

Each correspondence with visitors and participants was designed and produced to mimic a WWII era format. (Visit http://www.mainstreettoccoa.com/heartandsoul.html to see some of the promotional material created for the event.)

"The overall impact of Mission Toccoa was a great success," said Connie Tabor, Community Planning and Downtown Development Director. "The event allowed us to showcase Toccoa’s history and revitalization efforts to potential investors and developers and continues to bring repeat inquiries and visits to Main Street."

"We also want to thank all the volunteers who helped make Mission Toccoa such a success," said Tabor. "I’d especially like to thank the County, Development Authority, Chamber, and Historical Society for all they did and continue to do for Main Street Toccoa."

The Georgia Downtown Awards were established to recognized individuals, downtown programs, and/or businesses that have demonstrated unique efforts in making a difference in their downtowns. The award categories are based on the 4-Point Approach of downtown revitalization as developed by the National Trust’s Main Street Center and focus on Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Restructuring.