Re-introduction: Visit Dublin shows off revamped center

Visit Dublin GA took the time Tuesday to reintroduce itself to the community.

A big cheer went up after Miriam Lewis, executive director of Visit Dublin GA, cut a green ribbon and invited the community inside to see the visitors center. 

“In the last couple of years, we have gone through the rebrand and we have gone through the renovations on the inside of the visitor center,” Lewis said. “We have also added a lot of things within the last year, so we thought this was a great time to reintroduce ourselves to the people in the community and those we partner with.” 

This was a time for people to come together to see what the visitor center has to offer. In addition to Dublin-Laurens County merchandise, Visit Dublin also served a taco bar in conjunction with Cinco de Mayo.

“We wanted those who live here to come out and see what we had to offer,” Lewis said. “We do offer things to our locals.” 

They have a pollinator garden at the center that was made to attract monarchs. “They have been endangered,” Lewis said. “The kids have come out and counted the pollinators. We’ve partnered with the 4-H group and little things like that. Everyone can learn a little something or experience something.” 

Visit Dublin GA is the only place people can buy Dublinoply.

“We also have a vintage one from 1990 that we found in a thrift store,” Lewis said. “It is here at the visitors center on display.” 

Before the ribbon cutting, Bill Brown, Visit Dublin GA chairman, mentioned some trivia about the center. The first visitors center was open in Dublin on June 5, 1963, and was originally located on U.S. 441 North.

“This location opened in 2002,” Brown said. “Visit Dublin GA was formed in 2011. We have been here for 15 years, and we have had good leadership throughout that timeframe. We’ve seen growth that has happened tremendously through Dublin and Laurens County. We are so thankful for the relationship we’ve had between hotels and restaurants who send people our way.” 

One feature in the center is a digital kiosk. In addition to English, the kiosk can be used by those who speak Japanese and Korean.

“When the students from our sister city came through, they were able to experience the kiosk in their own language,” Lewis said. “It is basically the little things we do to make many people as possible feel comfortable and welcome.”

This week is National Travel and Tourism Week, a celebration of tourism’s impact in communities and cities. After kicking off with the America The Beautiful: Celebrating 250 Years, at Theatre Dublin on Sunday, Visit Dublin GA held a hospitality event for hotel and restaurants Monday evening.

“That went really good,” Lewis said. “This was the first time we have ever done that and we had a nice small group. It went really well. I think we should do this every year and build momentum. The hospitality workers are the front faces to all of the travelers who come through here.”   

The Good Info Expo will be held on Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Market on Madison. This community event will feature organizations who offer services to visitors and those who live in the area. The final event will be the Bubbles, Balloons and Bouquets at the visitors center from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

“We really love when our locals come by and check out what we are doing out here,” Lewis said. “We are always busy and always on the go. I have an excellent staff who welcomes people so graciously every day of the week.”