And you thought the “Royal Wedding” was over …

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Aug 052011
 

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – To honor the 12 honeymooning couples on board the RMS Titanic, the Titanic Museum Attraction and Star 102.1 FM will give away their own “Royal Wedding.”  The million-dollar Grand Staircase of the Titanic Museum Attraction creates a luxurious magic unlike anyplace else on earth.  Steeped in history and romanticism, the centerpiece of the world’s most famous ocean liner is exact in every detail to the one passengers walked on board the RMS Titanic – and it’s where the Titanic Royal Wedding will take place.

Couples wishing to enter the contest must complete an online form (www.TitanicAttraction.com) and submit a video introducing themselves, telling about their relationship, and explaining why they should win the “Royal Wedding.”  Once videos are submitted, three finalists will be selected and the public will be able to vote online beginning in December for their favorite couple after watching the videos.  One couple will win the Titanic Royal Wedding in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. and another couple will win a Titanic Royal Wedding in Branson, Mo.  Online voters will also select the bride’s gown, the wedding cake and the flowers for each of the weddings.  Winners will be announced on January 16, 2012.

The Titanic Museum Attraction and Star 102.1 FM’s Royal Wedding Contest is just one more special way the museum is honoring the 100 Year Anniversary of Titanic’s maiden voyage. It has been 99 years since a lookout in the crow’s nest shouted, “Iceberg right ahead!”  For the twelve months leading up to April 15, 2012, when it will have been a century since the RMS Titanic was lost, Titanic Museum Attractions will pay respect to and honor those 2,208 passengers and crew members with an ongoing series of special events, activities and ceremonies.

As the whole world remembers the world’s most famous luxury liner, Titanic Museum Attractions will continue to open the door to the past in it’s one-of-a-kind way – letting “passengers” experience what it was like to walk the hallways, parlors, cabins and Grand Staircase of the Titanic while surrounded by more than 400 artifacts directly from the ship and its passengers.  As visitors touch a real iceberg, walk the Grand Staircase and third class hallways, reach their hands into 28-degree water, and try to stand on the sloping decks, they learn what it was like on the RMS Titanic by experiencing it first-hand.

Each and every day, Titanic Museum Attractions provides a gateway to 1912, where First Class Maids and a variety of Officers and crew members bring the stories of the fabled ship and its fascinating passengers to life by retelling their stories in vivid, dramatic detail.  The priceless artifacts throughout the museum shed additional light on the lives of those passengers and crew members when guests see the actual belongings of those on board and artifacts that sailed on Titanic’s maiden voyage.

The Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. opens daily at 9 a.m.  Reservations are strongly suggested (many days sell out entirely). Or, passengers may purchase tickets online at www.TitanicAttraction.com or by phone at 800-381-7670.

Cedar Bay Entertainment, LLC owns and operates the Titanic Museum Attractions in Branson, Mo.  Titanic Tennessee, LLC owns and operates the Titanic Museum Attractions in Pigeon Forge, TN.  Both are privately owned-and-operated entertainment and development companies.  Cedar Bay is headquartered in Branson, Mo., the site of its first Titanic Museum Attraction.  Titanic Tennessee, LLC is headquartered in Pigeon Forge, TN.   Titanic Branson has welcomed more than 3 million guests, and Titanic Pigeon Forge boards approximately 100,000 “passengers” each month.

Nominate inspiring woman for free “Girlfriend’s Getaway” and she could be featured in national ad campaign

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Aug 052011
 

Sevierville, Tenn. – Do you know a woman who makes a positive impact everywhere she goes?  Right now, you could send that woman (even if she’s you) on a free, over-the-top Girlfriend’s Getaway and land her a starring role in a national ad campaign simply by telling us about her.

The Sevierville Chamber of Commerce has launched The Great Girlfriend’s Getaway Search, an opportunity to nominate an inspiring woman for a chance to win a Girlfriend’s Getaway to Sevierville, Tenn. (in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains) and a starring role in Sevierville’s new national Girlfriend’s Getaway advertising campaign.

The winner will share her Sevierville Girlfriend’s Getaway experience with three of her closest gal-pals from September 25-October 1, 2011 and be featured in the city’s 2012 advertising campaign.

“A Sevierville Girlfriend’s Getaway can be a high-end outlet shopping trip, a confidence boosting outdoor adventure, a golf excursion with the ladies, and so much more,” says Sevierville Chamber of Commerce marketing director Amanda Marr. “Our destination offers a tremendous variety of activities so your getaway can be whatever you love to do. We want to focus on that while also reminding women that it’s important to make time for themselves guilt-free.”

To nominate an amazing woman in your life, go to www.OfficialGirlfriendsGetaway.com.  Nominations may be submitted from now until August 15, 2011.

Sevierville is located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is Dolly Parton’s hometown and is The Official Destination for Girlfriend’s Getaways™.

New teen sensations Jenny and Ashley will shoot concert video at Wilderness at the Smokies resort July 16

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Aug 052011
 

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – Following in the footsteps of Disney superstars Miley Cyrus (“Hannah Montana”), Selena Gomez, and the Jonas Brothers, Jenny and Ashley Cooke, better known as “Jenny & Ashley,” will perform and shoot a video at Wilderness at the Smokies resort in Sevierville on Saturday night, July 16, 2011.

Jenny & Ashley

Not only will the video shoot be free and open to our guests and some members of the general public, but everyone who shows up for the video shoot will also receive a pass to come back and spend an entire day for FREE at Wilderness at the Smokies resort.  Although the resort has been open for three years, it has never been open to the general public (only resort guests can use the waterparks at Wilderness at the Smokies). During the concert, a limited number of outside guests will be permitted to watch the concert and participate in the shoot.

The concert / video shoot begins at 8 p.m. ET and those who wish to be in the video are asked to be at the resort by 7 p.m.  Special parking will be provided at Wilderness at the Smokies and those who wish to participate in the music video shoot will be directed once they arrive.

To get a free pass to participate in this event, you will need to make a donation to Soles4Souls, a charity group that gives shoes to those in need.  We will know in coming days where people can drop off new or gently used shoes in exchange for passes to the Jenny & Ashley concert event at Wilderness at the Smokies.  Please note that ONLY those who have obtained passes to this concert by donating shoes to Soles4Souls will be allowed to attend.

Jenny and Ashley’s complete touring band will be joining them at Wilderness at the Smokies and a production team and director are coming in to manage the music video shoot.  Rick Laney, vice president of Knoxville’s Ackermann PR who has also worked with National Geographic Television, MTV Productions, Travel Channel, and has produced live concert DVDs in the past, is serving as a production consultant to the project.

Those who come to the video shoot are asked to bring their swimsuits.  Although some people will be directed to be in the water during the video shoot, not everyone will be and many of our attractions (waterslides, Surf Rider, etc.) may be closed.  You may be asked to follow the direction and instructions of the production crew while the video is being shot.  After the shoot, Wilderness at the Smokies will show our appreciation for your involvement in this production by giving everyone in attendance a FREE wristband good for one entire day – from open to close – at our waterpark resort (to be used any time in the next two months).

Jenny (15) and Ashley (14) are originally from Wisconsin, but moved to Pleasanton, Calif. when they were in elementary school.  The sisters discovered their talents early while performing in a number of theatre productions and quickly made the move to acting and modeling. Jenny appeared as a model and cover girl for Kohl’s television and print advertising and also started acting.  Ashley quickly caught the bug too, and modeled for both Levi’s and Kohl’s in television and print advertising. They followed their dreams to Los Angeles, where Jenny and Ashley picked up work with Disney, Nickelodeon and Fox Television.

Quickly realizing their love and passion for music the girls switched gears and headed to Nashville to pursue music.  Jenny & Ashley caught the eye of some very important players in Nashville and soon found themselves in studio recording their first EP.  The EP, “Songs About You,” has songs the girls wrote as well as great songs from famous Nashville writers.  Darran Smith, Tim McGraw’s co-producer and lead guitarist, produced the entire product and Tim’s band, The Dance Hall Doctors, tracked every instrument you hear.  “Songs About You,” available now on iTunes, is an upbeat pop/country album which includes “Indescribable” co-written by Ashley and received national radio airplay.

Stay tuned to find out how YOU can join us for a FREE evening of music and fun while Jenny and Ashley shoot their music video on July 16 at 8 p.m.  We will also be announcing the drop-off location where you can donate shoes in exchange for passes to the concert.  Jenny and Ashley will stick around after the concert to meet our guests.  As our way of thanking you for helping with this video production, we want you to then bring your free passes and come back to Wilderness at the Smokies and enjoy all three of our waterparks for the entire day.  Visit www.AckermannWire.com regularly for all updates and more details as they are available.

The Eyes of the World Turn to Titanic Museum Attractions As The 100th Year Approaches

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Aug 052011
 

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. and BRANSON, Mo. – In May 1911, the RMS Titanic slid down Slipway No. 3 at the Queen’s Yard of Harland & Wolff and settled on the waters of the Victoria Channel in Belfast, Ireland while more than 100,000 people looked on. At the time, she was the largest movable manmade object on the face of the planet. In the coming months, RMS Titanic would complete numerous successful sea trials with Irish workers and crew members on board.

To commemorate Titanic’s Irish heritage, Titanic Museum Attractions in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. and Branson, Mo. will give away six 11-day trips for two to Belfast. The 12 winners of the “Back to Titanic 100th Year ‘Tour Ireland’ Sweepstakes” will cruise to Belfast where they will visit the birthplace of the world’s best-known, most luxurious ocean liner. Complete sweepstakes details can be found at www.TitanicAttraction.com.

It has been 99 years since a lookout in the crow’s nest shouted, “Iceberg right ahead!” For the twelve months leading up to April 15, 2012, when it will have been a century since the RMS Titanic was lost, Titanic Museum Attractions will pay respect to and honor those 2,208 passengers and crew members with an ongoing series of special events, activities and ceremonies.

As the whole world remembers the world’s most famous luxury liner, Titanic Museum Attractions will continue to open the door to the past in it’s one-of-a-kind way – letting “passengers” experience what it was like to walk the hallways, parlors, cabins and Grand Staircase of the Titanic while surrounded by more than 400 artifacts directly from the ship and its passengers. As visitors touch a real iceberg, walk the Grand Staircase and third class hallways, reach their hands into 28-degree water, and try to stand on the sloping decks, they learn what it was like on the RMS Titanic by experiencing it first-hand.

Each and every day, Titanic Museum Attractions provides a gateway to 1912, where First Class Maids and a variety of Officers and crew members bring the stories of the fabled ship and its fascinating passengers to life by retelling their stories in vivid, dramatic detail. The priceless artifacts throughout the museum shed additional light on the lives of those passengers and crew members when guests see the actual belongings of those on board and artifacts that sailed on Titanic’s maiden voyage.

With special Titanic events taking place around the world during 2011 and 2012, Titanic Museum Attractions will be the epicenter of remembrance for RMS Titanic’s passengers and crew. And, as the museum has demonstrated since its opening, the experience for guests will leave them amazed. The Titanic Museum Attractions will honor and respect the brave souls of the Titanic with the following events:

• To pay tribute to the birthplace of the RMS Titanic in Ireland, Titanic Museum Attractions will give away a total of six 11-day trips for two to Belfast, Ireland (where Titanic was built) at its Pigeon Forge, Tenn. and Branson, Mo. locations. The “Back to Titanic 100th Year ‘Tour Ireland’ Sweepstakes” begins June 13, 2011. All details are available online at www.TitanicAttraction.com and contestants can enter daily online. Winners will be announced Feb. 14, 2012.

• Beginning in July, Titanic Museum Attractions will allow every single guest who visits the museum to personally become involved in its special tribute to the passengers and crew by depositing a single rose petal into a container in the Memorial Gallery. On April 15, 2012 – exactly 100 years after the RMS Titanic was lost – each of the rose petals will be carefully laid onto the surface of the Atlantic Ocean directly where the Titanic sank.

• Beginning Aug. 1, 2011, couples will have the opportunity to have their wedding on the spectacular $1 million Grand Staircase of the Titanic. Future brides can enter to win their own “Royal Wedding” in April 2012. Titanic Museum Attractions will pay homage to the 12 honeymooning couples on board the RMS Titanic with its “Royal Wedding” contest. Online voting will select a winning couple to be married on the Grand Staircase.

• Many descendants of Titanic passengers and crew members will travel from all around the world to appear at Titanic Museum Attractions throughout 2011 and 2012, including descendants of Second Officer Charles Lightoller, the most senior crew member to survive the Titanic. Lightoller, whose family now lives in Ireland and Scotland, got away from the sinking ship in a collapsible life raft and was one of only four officers to survive.

• With the re-release of James Cameron’s blockbuster “Titanic” movie in 3D on Friday, April 6, 2012, Titanic Museum Attractions will open a new gallery (at both the Pigeon Forge and Branson locations) featuring props and costumes on loan from collectors around the world in advance of the movie re-release.

• A number of television shows and documentaries to air during the coming year are currently in production featuring the RMS Titanic and Titanic Museum Attractions. ABC Television has commissioned a four-part miniseries and John Joslyn, owner of Titanic Museum Attractions, will re-release his Titanic television documentaries.

• On April 14 and 15, 2012, a two-day tribute ceremony will take place at Titanic Museum Attractions in Pigeon Forge and Branson. The solemn ceremony will culminate with a candlelight service and the lighting of an eternal flame which will burn all year to remind every visitor to the museum of the 2,208 brave souls who were onboard the RMS Titanic.

More details about all of these spectacular commemorative events will be released in coming months.

The Titanic Museum Attractions in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. and Branson, Mo. open daily at 9 a.m. Reservations are strongly suggested (many days sell out entirely). Or, passengers may purchase tickets online at www.TitanicAttraction.com or by phone at 800-381-7670.

Cedar Bay Entertainment, LLC owns and operates the Titanic Museum Attractions in Branson, Mo. Titanic Tennessee, LLC owns and operates the Titanic Museum Attractions in Pigeon Forge, TN. Both are privately owned-and-operated entertainment and development companies. Cedar Bay is headquartered in Branson, Mo., the site of its first Titanic Museum Attraction. Titanic Tennessee, LLC is headquartered in Pigeon Forge, TN. Titanic Branson has welcomed more than 3 million guests, and Titanic Pigeon Forge boards approximately 100,000 “passengers” each month.

Wilderness at the Smokies is a premier eco-friendly resort

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Aug 052011
 

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – It is only natural that a resort called “Wilderness at the Smokies” is doing everything it can to preserve the environment and be an environmentally responsible business.  Although thousands of visitors travel from all over to experience the resort’s indoor and outdoor waterparks every day, many of them don’t realize all that Wilderness at the Smokies is doing to be a leader in environmental-friendliness.

Just this month, Wilderness at the Smokies resort launched a new towel program designed to give guests the high level of service and convenience they are accustomed to from the resort while significantly reducing the amount of washing and drying it does and the energy it consumes.  With every waterpark pass, guests are issued a towel card which allows each visitor to have two towels at all times.  As the towels become wet, guests simply trade them for dry towels.  The new towel card system has already resulted in a huge reduction in energy use by the resort.

The first thing many families notice when entering the indoor waterpark at Wilderness at the Smokies is that it feels like you’re outside on a beautiful summer day – even in the middle of winter.  The see-through Texlon™ roof that covers the indoor waterpark allows sunlight and UV rays into the 60,000 square-foot indoor waterpark.  The Texlon™ roof not only allows guests to tan year round, it allows real plants to thrive indoors and dramatically reduces the resort’s energy consumption.

According to John Regnerus, operations director at Wilderness at the Smokies, the resort uses 300 to 400 less therms of natural gas per day to heat the indoor waterpark during the colder winter months because of the Texlon™ roof.  One therm is the energy equivalent of burning about 100 cubic feet of natural gas and the average U.S. household uses roughly 1,000 therms per year.  “It significantly lowers our energy consumption,” Regnerus said.  “Over a three or four month period, we can reduce our natural gas usage by 30,000 to nearly 50,000 therms.  That’s a considerable reduction in our use of fossil fuel.”

The difference between an indoor waterpark with a Texlon™ roof and one with a standard roof like one would find in a gymnasium is the difference between night and day.  The transparency of the Texlon™ roof and the natural light it allows into Wilderness at the Smokies brings the outdoors in throughout the year.

The natural lighting provided by the Texlon™ roof at Wilderness at the Smokies also allows the resort to lower its electric consumption by not using artificial lighting during daylight hours.  The roof has a built-in ventilation system to circulate more air in the summertime and reduces the resort’s use of air conditioning when it’s warm outside.

“Because of the roof at Wilderness at the Smokies, guests can literally forget they are inside,” said Dave Keim of Aquatic Development Group, the company that supplied the Texlon™ roof to Wilderness at the Smokies.  “In the middle of winter, guests are surrounded by live tropical plants, getting a suntan and splashing in the water attractions.  The energy savings are important, but what the guests remember is the experience.”

Wilderness at the Smokies is a member of the Green Hotels Association.  In addition to the Texlon™ roof over the resort’s indoor waterpark, Wilderness at the Smokies uses energy-saving compact florescent lighting in many areas throughout its facility and all of its appliances and kitchen equipment are the latest Energy Star rated design (using 30 percent less energy than older appliances).  Guest rooms at River Lodge are equipped with state-of-the-art key-controlled occupancy sensors which save electricity by turning on lights and the HVAC system as guests enter their rooms.  Tinted windows in guest rooms are also designed to reduce energy consumption and motion-sensing paper towel dispensers in the common areas reduce paper usage.

“Wilderness at the Smokies is adjacent to one of this nation’s most valuable natural wonders – the Great Smoky Mountains National Park,” said Steve Cruz, the general manager of Wilderness at the Smokies.  “The environment is one of the primary reasons guests come to the Smokies.  We value nature and the environment the same way our guests do.  Being environmentally responsible is everyone’s job and Wilderness at the Smokies wants to be a leader in this area.”

Wilderness at the Smokies resort opened in 2009 and is the Southeast’s largest indoor/outdoor waterpark resort.  With two outdoor waterparks and a 6-acre indoor waterpark, Wilderness also has six restaurants, a deli, gift shops, convenience stores, mini-golf, and a 36-hole championship golf course.  Wilderness is connected to a 200,000 square-foot conference and event center capable of hosting events for 10,000 people.

Wilderness at the Smokies, located minutes from Interstate 40 and situated in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is one of the area’s only year-round vacation destinations.  For more information about Wilderness at the Smokies, call toll-free 877-325-9453 or visit www.WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

Ackermann PR’s Rick Laney draws national attention to Smokies as a hot spring break destination

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Mar 072011
 

Rick Laney talks to a television reporter about the appeal of the Smoky Mountain Region

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Because of its expertise in travel and tourism in the Great Smoky Mountain Region, Ackermann PR continues to be the primary source for major national media outlets wanting more information about the nation’s most visited national park and the communities that surround it in Tennessee and North Carolina.

Last week, Ackermann PR Vice President Rick Laney turned up across the country talking about why the Great Smoky Mountain Region is quickly becoming a major spring break destination.  His comments about the appeal of the Smoky Mountain Region as a spring break hot-spot appeared in major media outlets including ABC News, CBS News, Chicago Tribune, Washington Examiner, Huffington Post, Charlotte Observer, Atlanta Journal Constitution and MSNBC.

“Our approach is completely different,” Laney said.  “While small, individual communities around the Smokies have touted what they have to offer for decades, no one has successfully marketed the region as a whole.  The funny thing is that tourists who come here don’t even recognize the little individual towns – they only recognize the Great Smoky Mountains.

“When you travel to somewhere like the Smokies for a vacation, you make it a point to see all there is to see, and the Smokies cover countless little communities in two separate states.  Our visitors hike in the Smokies, visit attractions in Gatlinburg, Hendersonville, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Asheville, Cherokee and Bryson City.  They go back and forth between North Carolina and Tennessee to take in the entire region.

“It only makes sense that the premier attractions and resorts are now marketing that way.”

Does the world really need another Ralph Lauren who calls himself Tommy Hilfiger?

 1 Response »
Mar 062011
 

My oldest son subscribes to a number of magazines I used to get when I was younger.  You can typically find GQ, Esquire, Interview and countless other magazines floating around our home.  We also get National Geographic, a handful of photography magazines, and my wife subscribes to a number of home and regional publications.

I typically thumb through all of them, but still like GQ better than most.  The writing is typically pretty good, the content fairly interesting and the fashion content is usually applicable to regular guys — unlike the fashion content of publications like Interview that can only be pulled off by New York fashion models and artists.

As a lifelong marketing guy, I always pay attention to ads — and clothing ads are always fun.  It’s all about lifestyle, image, branding and creating a “personality” for something that is completely inanimate.  When you cut to the chase, pants are pants, suits are suits and shirts are shirts.  But in the world of fashion marketing, your suit can say you are a hip young entrepreneur or a smart techno-geek, depending on the cut, the material and what you wear with it.  And the props … I just LOVE the props.

Recently, I’ve watched as Tommy Hilfiger has tried to become Ralph Lauren.  It’s actually quite humorous when you look at their ads side-by-side.  Case in point …

Ralph Lauren ad (left) and Hilfiger ad (right)

While Ralph Lauren has absolutely owned the squeaky-clean, preppy, all-American look for decades, Hilfiger has shifted from over-sized baggy pants with huge logos down the leg (popular with rap artists and inner-city youth) to “Tommy Sport,” a now defunct line of more casual clothing.  In recent months, it appears that what Tommy now wants to be is Ralph Lauren.  The only problem is that Ralph is a much better Ralph than Tommy will ever be.

I am not a fashionista – but I do like clothing and I love watching how companies market themselves.  As is the case with cars, food, housewares and appliances, the originals are typically better than the knock-offs that are trying to play catch-up.

I’ll stick with Ralph Lauren.

Susie Millar, descendant of RMS Titanic engineer, to visit Titanic Museum Attraction and unveil new exhibit

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Mar 022011
 

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – Thomas Millar of Belfast, Ireland was an engineer for Harland & Wolff, the British heavy industrial company that specialized in ship building.  In the early 1900s, the company designed and built the RMS Olympic and her sister-ships, the RMS Titanic and HMHS Britannic. At Harland & Wolff, Millar worked as an engine fitter and helped build the engines for both the Olympic and Titanic.

Thomas Millar

In 1912, just three months after his wife died leaving the 33-year old Thomas to raise the couple’s two young boys, he decided that he would sail on the Titanic to New York where he would start a new life for himself and his sons.  He signed up for a job as an assistant deck engineer on the Titanic and made plans to leave Ireland and start again in America.

Just before boarding the Titanic, Millar gave each of his sons – 11-year old Thomas Jr. and 5-year old William Ruddick – a shiny, new penny.  The boys, who were being left with their aunt, were told to keep the pennies and not spend them until their dad returned to get them.

Around 11:40 p.m. on the fourth night Millar was at sea, his plans made a dramatic turn as the result of an iceberg.  Thomas Millar’s body was never found after Titanic sank.

Susie Millar, Thomas’ great granddaughter, will visit Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge during March when the museum honors the hardworking, skilled Irish laborers helped build Titanic in Belfast.  Millar, who still resides in Belfast, recalls her grandfather, William Ruddick Millar, reading books to her about Titanic when she was a young girl.

“The whole world has a fascination with the Titanic,” Millar said. “Strangely, Belfast has not been one of those areas terribly interested in the Titanic until recently.  The largest man-made movable object on the face of the Earth at the time – the Titanic – was designed and built right here in little, tiny Belfast. With the approaching Centennial, the people here in Belfast are finally interested in learning about Titanic.”

Susie Millar

Susie Millar, who was a longtime television reporter in Ireland,  will arrive in Pigeon Forge on Saturday, March 19, 2011 and will be at the Titanic Museum Attraction daily through Wednesday, March 23, 2011.  In honor of her visit, Titanic Museum attraction has prepared a special display focused on her great grandfather, Thomas Millar.  The highlights of that display are the actually pennies handed to Thomas Jr. and William Ruddick by Thomas Millar just before he climbed aboard Titanic.

“I’m proud to keep Thomas Millar’s short story alive,” Susie Millar said. “He was so young – and it’s an honor for me to tell people about him.  It’s thrilling for me personally to see how many people are still interested in Titanic.”

Throughout the entire Month of March the Titanic Museum Attraction honors the Irish—the spirited, irrepressible, hardworking men and women from the Emerald Isle. Come prepared to be entertained with the music, song and folklore that accompanied these courageous souls on their voyage to America.

Although it has been open less than a year, the Titanic Museum attraction already is recognized as one of the Great Smoky Mountain area’s top attractions.  Approximately 100,000 “passengers” have visited the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge every month since its grand opening in April 2010.

The Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. is open daily at 9 a.m.  Reservations are strongly suggested (many days sell out entirely). Or, passengers may purchase tickets online at www.titanicpigeonforge.com or by phone at 800-381-7670.

Cedar Bay Entertainment owns and operates Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Mo. and Pigeon Forge, Tenn.  A privately owned-and-operated entertainment and development company, Cedar Bay is headquartered in Branson, Mo., the site of its first Titanic Museum Attraction.  Since it’s April 2006 grand opening, Titanic Branson has welcomed nearly 3 million guests.

Titanic Museum Attraction’s First Class Maid Jaynee takes center-stage at 2011 “Dancing With The Knoxville Stars”

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Feb 192011
 

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – When the 2011 Star 102.1 FM “Dancing with the Knoxville Stars” benefit for East Tennessee Children’s Hospital took place last Thursday night, Titanic Museum Attraction’s First Class Maid Jaynee was center stage.  As both a judge and performer for the third annual dance competition, Jaynee was doing the three things she enjoys the most; singing, dancing and representing East Tennessee’s most popular destination, Titanic Museum Attraction.

Top prize went to Jamie Lynn Drohan

The celebrity judges for this year’s event were Jed Bakri of Cotton Eyed Joe’s, Titanic’s Jaynee from Titanic Museum Attraction, and Prageeth Hettiarachchi from Kentucky Dancesport in Lexington, KY.

She’s the face of the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. and Branson, Mo.  You see her on billboards and commercials and hear her on the radio.  Her name is Jaynee (Peters), and she has been the First Class Maid aboard the Titanic since the beginning.

From the early age of 14, Jaynee performed in theatre and musical productions throughout England.  Because her mother was a professional Vaudeville and music hall performer, Jaynee grew up “backstage” and in dance studios.  Later, her mother owned and operated the largest dance theatre apparel store in all of Southern England.

Jaynee was cast with the Jack Mansell Dancers at the age of 19 and traveled to America to perform with “Viva Las Vegas.”  Touring throughout the United States in various productions, she met her husband while performing in a musical production in Montgomery Ala.  They developed their own show – “The Best of Vaudeville and the Movies” – and performed all over the country, eventually arriving in Branson, Mo.  In Branson, Jaynee and her husband performed their own act at a variety of venues before she landed aboard the Titanic Museum Attraction.

Today, Jaynee plays herself, First Class Maid Jaynee, and is proud to be considered a spokesperson for the World’s Largest Museum Attraction in both Pigeon Forge and Branson.  “I consider it a privilege,” Jaynee said, “to participate in the 2011 Dancing with the Knoxville Stars.  This is event is so much fun, but – more importantly – it supports East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, one of our area’s most important assets.”

Titanic Museum First Class Maid Jaynee does "All That Jazz"

Contestants in this year’s Dancing with the Knoxville Stars were:

  • Marc Anthony (Morning Show Host Star 102.1). Marc was partnered by Emily Loyless.
  • Ashley Johnston (Biggest Loser) – Ashley was partnered with J.W. Becker.
  • Mike Witcher (Meteorologist WBIR) – Mike was partnered with Rhonda Becker.
  • “Farmer Charlie” (Farm Bureau Insurance spokesman) – Charlie was partnered with Kelli Rainey.
  • Michele Silva (Anchor, WVLT) – Michele was partnered with Mark Becker.
  • Allison Fulmer (Public Relations) – Allison was partnered with Hayden Escobar.
  • Jamie Lynn Drohan (Reporter WATE) – Jaime Lynn was partnered with Jeremy Norris.
  • Mike Griffith (Sports Writer, Knoxville News Sentinel) – Mike was partnered with Suzanne Devan.
  • John Elliott (Owner, Elliott’s Boots) – John was partnered with Lisa Turner.

Jamie Lynn Drohan (WATE-TV) won the top prize for dancing and Allison Fulmer had the highest number of donations.

Although it has been open less than a year, the Titanic Museum attraction already is recognized as one of the Great Smoky Mountain area’s top attractions.  Approximately 100,000 “passengers” have visited the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge every month since its grand opening in April 2010.

The Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. is open daily at 9 a.m.  Reservations are strongly suggested (many days sell out entirely). Or, passengers may purchase tickets online at www.titanicpigeonforge.com or by phone at 800-381-7670.

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