Instagram is a great way to discover new places and events. The photo-sharing app has more than a billion monthly users. The IN WDSTK team has created individual Instagram accounts to share each of our unique perspectives on Woodstock and the state of Georgia. Since Woodstock’s destination tagline is A City Unexpected, it was only fitting we include that phrase as part of our account usernames.
Because of our varied responsibilities, people often ask about a day in the life of the city’s economic development team. The “unexpected” Instagram accounts are a great way to get inside information on what’s happening in Woodstock.
The idea for the staff Instagram’s accounts came about as I planned the 2018 travel season for the Woodstock Mobile Visitors Center. Tourism Manager Kyle Bennett and I travel thousands of miles around the state each year.
With all of the travel we do as Georgia certified travel counselors, Kyle and I were taking lots of photos at places like Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, and posting them to our personal accounts. He and Economic Development Director Brian Stockton were posting pics from Atlanta United games, too. Program Manager Mitzi Saxon was posting about time on Lake Allatoona and her favorite boutiques. With our team’s varied interests, and all of the time we spend out in the community, influencer accounts seemed like something we really should be doing.
I shared 116 posts on my Instagram, @stacyunexpected, in 2018. I began my account with a picture of the sunrise taken Easter morning overlooking a marsh on the Georgia coast. My top posts of the year included the view from the top of Lookout Mountain, a first look at the setting for Santa’s visits to the Woodstock Visitors Center, a picture with friends from Reformation Brewery’s Cadence Fair in October, selfies with food and drinks found in downtown Woodstock, and my first triathlon medal earned last summer in Acworth.
The posts on Kyle’s Instagram, @kyleunexpected, took followers to Gibbs Gardens, the Woodstock Summer Concert Series, DragonCon, the College Football Hall of Fame, and the Center for Wildlife Education in Statesboro. Kyle even shared a post about the unique features inside updated rooms at the Marriott Marquis downtown.
Brian’s wit comes through on his Instagram, @brianunexpected. He pokes a little fun at Kyle’s and my profile descriptions in his own, where he describes himself as an uncertified travel counselor and storyteller. Posts on Brian’s feed focused on trails, beer, tourism, and even public art in Savannah.
Mitzi’s Instagram, @mitziunexpected, shared posts at Chateau Elan, Rootstock and Vine, and the Lantern Series by Elm Street Arts. Her profile boasted a bit of celebrity flair, featuring photos with country music artist Mark Wills, and Paul Milliken from Fox 5.
Follow these accounts to experience these unique takes on Woodstock, and, of course, don’t forget to follow @VISITWOODSTOCKGA, as well.
IN WDSTK brings together local residents and businesses from every community who are investing, involved and included in Woodstock’s growth and opportunity. The organization hosts more than 125 events annually. The staff also operates the visitors center and promotes the city as a tourism destination.
– Stacy Brown, the Marketing Manager INWDSTK for the city of Woodstock.
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