SEPTEMBER 200 INSIDE: * Mummy discovery coinci with Kimbell's landmark exhibit on Queen/Pharaoh Hatshepsut * Tower of the Americas' new lease on life to become draw, once again for Alamo City * TACVB's Idea Fair praises bureaus' marketing efforts

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COURTESY STATE FAIR OF PODCASTShave landed at Dal- about 200 food service lo- las-Fort Worth International State Fair of Texas cations. The World Corn Airport and, according to DFW at Dallas'the annualFair V Dog Eating Championship WHEN . Airport Chief Operating Officer Park kicks off on Sept. a d is held here, which is ap- Kevin Cox, the airport is the first in 29, you'll see it maintains propriate, since the corn the world to offer the service. its age-old roots with dog was invented here in Podcasting allows travelers to re- the draw of 4-H and FFA 1942. Then, there's an ceive free audio and video MP3 down- exhibitors showing their ti 3 array of fried concoctions loads of DFW Airport's exclusive prized livestock (about that defy any notion of a content - in English and Spanish 8,000 entries), and citified 40 a4 sensible diet, for example directly to a PC, iPod or MP3 player. folks get a hands-on feel the fried peanut butter, "We initiated podcasting because for that culture through jelly and banana sandwich, c it's a medium that travelers can use barn tours, a peewee which apparently has a fan to ease transportation issues through stampede, mock farms, base of its own. this airport," Cox told TechWeb Tech- cow-milking demonstra- POW Epicurious.com touted nology News. "Given the airport's tions and pig races. But Prized livestock is only one aspect of the State Fair of the State Fair of Texas size, and new art collection, rail sys- throngs of modern day vis- Texas. There's also live music, games and rides, and as one of the Top 10 Fairs tem restaurants and infrastructure itors have also been drawn ail the corny dogs and fried snacks you can stand. in the nation, saying the added in the last year, podcasting is to an increasingly enter- monthlong event is "a cele- an easy way to get the message out." training array of added fun like the Midway with more bration of all the things Texans like, which is just about Initial DFW podcasts will guide trav- than 70 rides (mild and 'Xtreme'); auto showcases; everything." And it's true. elers through the new International stage and street performers; college football challenges Helping its ranking among the best is having a $350 Terminal D and its 8,100 parking spaces. at the Cotton Bowl, including the University of Texas- million annual economic impact and the tallest Ferris It features smart technology to help Oklahoma University game that's been played there wheel in North America (212-foot Texas Star). passengers find the nearest available every year since 1929; and exhibits like this year's The State Fair of Texas runs through Oct. 22. parking space. Future podcasts will "Marilyn Monroe: Exploited, Explored and Explained." For more information, call (214) 565-9931 or visit offer a cultural tour of the airport's Of course, the food is a big draw on its own with www.bigtex.com. $6 million art collection, including the Nasher Sculpture Garden. "It's a big place," Cox told Podcast- tal cameras (67 percent) topped the to stay in touch with the office (10 Cornelius incorporated the 2-square- ing News, referring to the 18,000-acre, list of most popular technologies percent) or feel they have no choice mile town in 1986 so that he could five-terminal complex that handles Americans take with them on but to stay connected (9 percent). sell alcohol at the truck stop, which 59 million travelers annually. "We be- leisure trips. Twenty-four percent And six percent like to actually do is in an otherwise dry county. lieve that through podcasting, we can took their laptops along. While CD work for their job while on vacation. Now, with the help of investors, effectively reach our road-warrior players are still popular (21 percent) the land on all four corners of Inter- business travelers, as well as our to bring on trips, MP3 players and state 35 and FM 2959, has been pur- leisure passengers and families." iPods (11 percent) are becoming chased to increase Carl's Corner to Podcasts won't provide flight or more common with the increasing CARI'SCorner, Texas - about 3,000 acres. The $5 million- gate information. popularity of travel-related/destina- population 100, more or less - plus project planned for the site will "We want to test out the things tion-specific podcasts and down- made national news when its include hotels, a saloon and even a that are static, like how you get from loadable music and video. namesake truck stop, co-owned by golf course. point A to point B," Cox says. "In this day and age, travelers can singer Willie Nelson, became a pio- A grand re-opening is tentatively share their experiences and photos neer in selling BioWillie, a vegetable- set for New Year's Eve with perform- DING to the latest ACCOR as they happen instead of waiting un- based diesel fuel. Today, the truck ances by Nelson, Merle Haggard, Kris Voice of the Traveler survey til they return from vacation," re- stop is closed, but only temporarily, Kristofferson, Ray Price and more. by the Travel Industry Associ- marks Dr. Suzanne Cook, senior as it transforms into a grander com- It's not the first time the truck ation and Synovate, travelers are vice president of research for the plex to be renamed Willie's Place. stop was closed. Fire destroyed the so connected that they no longer TIA. "The down side is that we can, "We're looking at a Branson, Mo., place once, and Nelson held a bene- have to wait to return from their va- or have to, also stay in touch with concept out here," says Carl Cornelius, fit to raise funds for the reconstruc- cations to share their stories. the office." co-owner, longtime friend with Nel- tion. He later helped quadruple Cell phones (86 percent) and digi- About one in ten Americans like son and mayor of Carl's Corner. business by introducing the biodiesel I TEXAS TRAVELOG

fuel. Nelson, a longtime champion facade," reconfigured gallery space, of the American farmer, has been an enlarged museum store, and an promoting biodiesel fuel because I additional 1,800 square feet of it helps the environment and em- ground-floor space that creates a ploys farmers. group entrance, education facilities In April, the EPA honored Nel- and visitor amenities. son for those efforts. f~ l For more information, call (888) 332-6554 or (817) 332-6554 or visit www.sidrmuseum.org. i: .;j MUMMIFIED remains of THE EPA VEA the ancient Egyptian queen Hatshepsut were discovered in TEXAS PARKS and Wildlife late March among artifacts at the Expo, America's largest free, Egyptian Museum in Cairo, just in family-oriented outdoors festi- val is celebrating its 15th year at time to coincide with the land- -.- the agency's headquarters Austin mark traveling exhibit Hatshep- The Kimbell hosts a rare exhibit, Hatshepsut: From Queen to Pharaoh, in sut: From Queen to Pharaoh, highlighting the glorious and controversial reign of the female Pharaoh. on Oct. 7-8. The annual event that now at the Kimbell Art Museum began in 1992 as a tribute to hunt- in Fort Worth. The Kimbell is the other 33 years with her nephew. Be- and many luxury items, including a ing's role in conservation today in- last of only three cities (along with sides cultivating her own mythology pair of solid gold sandals. While it cludes fishing, shooting sports, state San Francisco and New York) to and consolidating authority, Hatshep- doesn't answer all the questions, it is parks, Texas history, rock climbing, host the exhibit. sut restored monuments and renewed the largest collection about this Queen/ biking, birding, paddling and many With that news still fresh, the Kim- trade. The resulting economic pros- Pharaoh ever assembled, and the pub- other activities, all free to the pub- bell's exhibit, that runs Aug. 27- perity was reflected in the remark- lic has never seen many of the pieces. lic. New activities also are being Dec. 31, offers a rare glimpse of the able and innovative art of the time. For more information, call (817) added this year. Queen/Pharaoh's life through pieces "The kings of Egypt were the 332-8451 or visit www.kimbellart.org. "Texas Parks and Wildlife Expo excavated by the Metropolitan Mu- links to the gods," says exhibition emphasizes recreation and having seum of Art's Egyptian Expedition curator, Renee Dreyfus. "Queens fun, because we believe that's the in the 1920s and 1930s, supplement- didn't rule. To rule, one had to trans- key to getting people involved in ed by items from other American and form oneself into a king. One of THE SID Richardson Collection conserving our natural and cultural European museums and select items most interesting things about her is of Western Art in Fort Worth's resources," says Robert L. Cook, ex- from Cairo and Luxor. that she succeeded in doing it." Sundance Square, which has been ecutive director of Texas Parks and Hatshepsut, who ruled for two Part of Hatshepsut's mystery closed for the past year for renova- Wildlife Department, which produces the Expo as a public service with decades during Egypt's Dynasty 18, stems from the fact that her new- tions and an expansion, is slated to is the first important female ruler phew had her statues smashed and reopen its doors to the public the help of sponsors and conserva- known to history. Although less pop- her name and image erased from all by Oct. 13, according to museum tion organizations. "If you've never ularly known, her achievements were monuments some 20 years after her spokesperson Jan Brenneman. tried these activities, it's a great chance far more significant than her later death. In spite of this deliberate de- The museum, which boasts more to see and do it all in a safe setting successor Cleopatra (51-30 B.C.). struction, this exhibit features 260 than 60 paintings by premier West- with expert guidance. In everything, Six years into her reign (serving objects including royal statuary and ern artists Frederic Remington and you'll find a message of stewardship, as a regent for her nephew Thut- relief, monumental sculptures in the Charles M. Russell, is being trans- the idea that we all have a role to mose III), Hatshepsut proclaimed image of the royal court, ceremonial formed by an extensive facelift, in- play to safeguard our heritage." herself king and later co-ruled an- objects, decorative arts, gold jewelry cluding a more "pedestrian friendly For more information, call (800) 792-1112 or visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us.

AVITOURISM TAKES FLIGHT

ern Mexico. And when the amethyst- Birding brings in $125 million per one's ideal hobby, but most can throated hummingbird was sighted, it year to the Rio Grande Valley. And, TWO UNIQUE exhibits are be- BIRDINGunderstandmight the greatnot be econom- every- was the first sighting ever of the species according to the U.S. Fish and ing merged to create one big ic impact birders have, which is in the United States. Both were spotted Wildlife Service, each rare bird showcase of talents on two sides why it was big news when there were in San Benito. The mottled owl, spot- species, such as the ones sighted of the border - Texas 100 and several sightings in the Rio Grande ted in Weslaco, would also be the first recently, contributes about Mexican Modern: Masters of Valley of birds rarely or never record of that species in the country. $100,000 each in local spending. the 20th Century- and El Paso before seen in the United States. Rare sightings of any species are "Birders will hear about a bird, is the only city in the United States McAllen Convention and Visitors' Bu- attractive to birders, who like to keep fly or drive down, rush out to see it, to showcase these simultaneously. reau Director Nancy Millar says sight- lists of all the birds they have seen. spend the night, eat a few meals, Beginning Sept. 3, the El Paso ings of the green-breasted mango, "It's interesting that these birds then head home," Millar says. Museum of Art will feature Texas amethyst-throated hummingbirds and have been spotted during the sum- "It's a passionate group," she 100, which celebrates significant a mottled owl were reported in July. mer," Millar says. "Fewer people bird adds. "Birders are very committed works - from fiberglass sculptures The state has had only about 15 here during the summer in large part to their hobby, and when they have to landscape paintings - created by documented records of green-breast- because they believe that rarities an opportunity to add a bird to their 100 artists from Texas. The two-part ed mango, a relatively large Mexican aren't around then. These sightings lists, they grab it. Fortunately for us, exhibit runs through Jan. 14. hummingbird commonly found in east- prove that theory false." we give them lots of opportunities." Mexican Modern highlights 60 works of art by 26 internationally SEPTEMBER 2006 Li acclaimed artists including Frida first-place winners are listed in as- T OW E R ING E X PEC TA TIO N S Kahlo, Diego Rivera, David Alfaro cending order of budget categories: Siqueiros and Jose Clemente Oroz- " Advertising: Hillsboro, San An- FOR ALMOST 40 co. El Paso was chosen as the only gelo and South Padre Island. years, city in Texas to display this spectacu- " Convention Promotion: Killeen, has had one particularly lar collection of Mexican modern art San Angelo and Waco. identifiable structure on its 0 curated by Luis-Martin Lozano, direc- " Cooperative Marketing: Hunts- horizon - the 750-foot- tor of the prestigious Museo de Arte ville, Denton and El Paso. tall Tower of the Americ- Moderno in Mexico City. This exhib- " Local Awareness: Columbus, as - but interest in the it will run from Sept. 17 to Nov. 2, Beaumont and Waco. landmark had waned, until which happens to coincide with El " Sports Marketing: Seguin, Abi- Landry's Restaurants, Inc., Paso's Day of the Dead celebration. lene and Waco. revived it by pumping in For more information, call the El " Tourism Promotion: Huntsville, $13 million over 18 months 'I Paso Museum of Art at (915) 532- Granbury and Grapevine. for its latest incarnation. 1707 or the El Paso Convention & " Video: Huntsville, no $350,000 The centerpiece of Hemis- Visitors Bureau at (915) 534-0600 or category winner, Corpus Christi. Fair Plaza (built for the 1968 visit www.visitelpaso.com. " Web site: Sweetwater Chamber World's Fair), this second of Commerce, San Angelo and tallest observation tower in y"t Waco. the U.S. reopened in late Additionally, a three-panel team June and is expected to MARILLO's Big Texan Steak made up of marketing and advertis- once again become a main Ranch and the Cadillac ing experts, as well as a non-nomi- attraction for the city. Antonio s Tower of the Americas is Ranch (neither of which are nated CVB representative gave Visitors Visiorswill discover illdiscver poisedSan to become a main attraction really ranches) were touted in a re- awards. They recognized South Padre Texas fare at the Eyes Over again after undergoing a multi-million cent edition of USA Today. The two Island for advertising; Waco for con- Texas rotating restaurant dollar makeover. attractions - one a restaurant and vention promotion; Denton for co- and bar encased in floor-to- the other public art - were among operative marketing; Odessa for lo- ceiling windows, an open-air featuring local and state his- the wonders along Route 66 as not- cal awareness; Seguin for sports mar- tory and, at ground-level, the Tower Cafe and the Skies Over Texas 4-D the- ed by Drew Knowles, author of keting; Grapevine for tourism pro- ater, a new 50-seat multi-sensory theater. Route 66 Adventure Handbook. motion; Huntsville for video/DVD "It is the first thing that people see when they come to San Antonio," Big Texan Steak Ranch is about and San Angelo for its Web site. says the city's mayor . "I kind of think it's the new symbol of "competitive eating, Texas-style" Next year's TACVB Conference San Antonio, which is a city with lofty ambitions, just like the tower itself." where diners have the option of tack- and Idea Fair will be held from Aug. Landry's, one of the largest operators of casual restaurants in the coun- ling a 72-ounce steak, shrimp cock- 14-17 in Corpus Christi. Beaumont try, has a contract from the city to operate the tower until 2019. tail, salad, baked potato and bread. will host the 2008 conference. For more information, call (210) 223-3101 or visit Finish it up in an hour and it's free. www.toweroftheamericas.com or www.SanAntonioVisit.com. If not, you'll have to fork over $72. N DUTRoNlD R Knowles calls Cadillac Ranch "public art at its finest." The 10 vin- TEXAS Department of Transpor- Nalewicki, who was the magazine's Keith Arnold has been hired to tage cars buried nose-first in a road- tation Travel Division has wel- editorial intern a couple of years serve as interim president/CEO of side field was commissioned in the comed a bevy of new employees ago, has also worked in administra- the Corpus Christi Convention and '70s by Amarillo millionaire Stanley who are vital to creating positive tive and editorial support at Rodale Visitors Bureau while a search be- March III. Today, "it has become a travel experiences in Texas, even if Press in Pennsylvania for Men's gins for a permanent replacement tradition for people to make pil- they don't have direct contact with Health, Runner's World and Preven- for Tom Galyon, who resigned in grimages, spray cans in hand, to add the traveling public. tion magazines. Before that, she was March. Arnold, who led the bureau their own graffiti." The cars are re- Beverly West joins the division to an intern at Texas Parks & Wildlife from 1992 -1998, is also among the painted every few years to create a manage the ancillary product pro- Magazine and, most recently, was candidates to fill the position. He fresh canvas. gram. She manages, promotes and in- an editorial assistant at The Austin left to lead visitors bureaus in Albu- troduces new items to the line of American-Statesman. querque, N.M., and Peoria, Ill. Texas Highways-related gifts includ- AN ANGELO and Waco Sheila Creekmore has joined S ing coffee mugs, apparel, accessories, Loun O'Leary has been pro- the Beaumont Convention and Visi- holiday items, posters and music. moted as the Office of the Governor tors Bureau as its new tourism spe- led the pack when the Texas Lockhart resident Jennifer - Economic Development and cialist with responsibilities for greet- Association of Convention Crosby has taken the helm as the Tourism Division's tourism ing visitors, providing information to and Visitors Bureaus handed out office technician for TxDOT Travel research manager. the public and maintaining commu- awards for excellence in convention Division's Automation Services Sec- O'Leary has worked in the divi- nication with Texas Travel Informa- advertising, tourism promotions, tion. Among her many duties, she sion for three years, first as travel re- tion Centers. sports marketing and cooperative also helps keep the division opera- search coordinator and most recent- marketing at its annual Conference tional by researching and tracking ly as a tourism marketing specialist. Daryl G. Whitworth has been and Idea Fair, held Aug. 8-11 in equipment orders and is the primary She previously worked for Gov. Rick promoted to assistant director of the Abilene. The awards, voted on by contact for Information Resources Perry as juvenile justice specialist Fredericksburg Convention and Visi- their peers, were categorized by op- repairs and service calls. grant program administrator and then- tors Bureau. Whitworth has been erating budgets of under $350,000; Jenny Nalewicki has settled into Gov. George W. Bush in his general with the CVB since 1997 and was from $350,000 to $999,000; and her position as the new editorial as- counsel division. She also has taught promoted to manager of marketing $1 million-plus. The following sistant for Texas Highways magazine. in public and private schools. and technology in 2003. 0 TEXAS TRAVELOG

Which dairy business opened its doors in VISITOR NUMBERS as of July 31, 2006 Month Percent Year-to-Date Percent 1907 and has made history by cooling off TRAVEL CENTER Visitors Variation* Visitors Variation* Texans ever since? AMARILLO 12,733 +4.04 67,819 +12.21 ANTHONY 18,170 +43.04 130,989 +34.13

uiSIA .o L61-0 8 (6L6) 1o I18-LZ (008) juo 'uoileU1ojui Jo4 CAPITOL 9,007 -6.19 58,866 +3.94 -Xiousiq DENISON 56,317 +11.67 302,476 +10.57 sEXATuRAE a unoquio un puy soo d e Tex si u u.g GAINESVILLE 53,150 +25.04 309,737 +38.13 puo tag onjg o wnosin P n u dus ite osl mof104 uis u t 0the 011 LANGTRY 6,546 +26.66 44,908 -1.61 Txo trve spoo Tas Tavdusos puu sno Bopomx pApn,Tq 781- LAREDO 15,045 -0.99 81,362 +0,90 u0) s~rolisiA u-sotiuorg i uoiluil 10 iq u 3oUIOOq suq Xiouooi ORANGE 61,346 -7.45 351,875 -7.71 1 q9( s.i4oos fax u2q 4A -iu5 sil ro)m saotwwns ui Xjuiaxd -SO '10011l SuX-1, pa0JOA0j oa. lils soli 'Xorpoi «":iaads Xllaid,, snoip TEXARKANA 67,150 -6.87 305,409 -4.04

0)~0in 01 puu xAOI} Os 'inOOJO 001 UAO 11041l opuWoinan 0UX1 VALLEY 11,387 -5.82 142,573 +3.55 u04X oui u l0 pouodo,,wvuqaig ui ioiuu~oi311-j o LLL WASKOM 55,850 -7.76 327,428 +4.40 WICHITA FALLS 22,516 -10.04 114,603 +0.35 CENTER TOTALS 389,217 +1.39 2,238,045 +6.38 TEXAS TRAVELOG ispublished monthly by the Texas Department of *Compared to last year Transportation, Travel Division. Please send news items of interest to the Texas travel industry to Texas TraveLog, P0O. Box 141009, Austin, TX 78714- Dial toll-free (800) 452-9292 for travel assistance from 1009. (512) 486-5874, fax (512) 486-5879. E-mail: [email protected]. TxDOT's Texas Travel Information Centers Deadline for each newsletter is the 15th of the month preceding the (8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, Central Time) issue date. EDITOR: Lois M. Rodriguez DESIGN/LAYOUT: Kirsti Harms www.traveltex.com * www.texashighways.com @ PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER www.txdot.gov . www.dontmesswithtexas.org

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