Clayton News Daily

File photo: Clayton County Convention and Visitors Bureau Spokesperson Rebekah Cline explains some of the local history that inspired “Gone With The Wind” in this June 2011 file photo. Cline recently received the Atlanta Metro Travel Association’s 2011 Board of Directors' Award.

Clayton County Convention and Visitors Bureau Marketing Director Rebekah Cline’s job is to promote the bureau’s efforts to highlight local tourist attractions.

It is Cline’s duty to, basically, market the land that inspired “Gone With The Wind,” through promotional activities, and communications with local news media.

The news releases that are sent out by the Clayton County Convention and Visitors Bureau are actually written by Cline. If Scarlett O’Hara were alive, and mixing and mingling, in modern-day Clayton County, the local tourism spokesperson would essentially be her publicist.

Cline is also the public relations chairperson for the Atlanta Metro Travel Association (AMTA), however, and she recently received the association’s 2011 Board of Directors’ award for her work with local tourism.

“The AMTA Awards are presented annually to recognize outstanding contributions and professional excellence from individuals within Atlanta metro tourism,” according to a news release from the Clayton County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Cline’s job as AMTA’s public relations chairperson calls for her to handle: communications with local media, social media management for the association, and e-newsletter promotions.

“As a volunteer, Rebekah consistently produces superior work that allows AMTA to look good in the marketplace,” said AMTA Vice President Brandi Wigley, in a written statement. “She continues to impress the board and members with her creativity and quality of work.”

The local tourism spokesperson could not be reached by telephone for comment on Thursday afternoon, but she did e-mail the Clayton County Convention and Visitors Bureau’s news release about her award to a reporter.

Cline has also been certified as a tourism marketing professional by the Southeast Tourism Society, and has been with the Clayton County Convention and Visitors Bureau since April.

The local tourism spokesperson, who has a degree in mass communication from Georgia College and State University, was the marketing director for the Lawrenceville tourism and Trade Association for more than four years, before she came to Jonesboro.

She was one of two people recognized earlier this month for their work with AMTA, at the association’s recent Christmas luncheon, in Dunwoody. Diane Stone, president of Atlanta-area-based Projects Plus, was also recognized as the recipient of the association’s President’s Award.