Utah even gave its visitors a “photo opportunity” with a Utah landmark, and offered to frame it as a souvenir. Utah Film Commission’s Marshall Moore pointed out that an increase in tourism can be a direct result from a film project. “We know that a lot of families who vacation in Utah now ask about the locations seen in the High School Musical movies,” he mentioned. In Washington state there is much of the same fascination with film locations, especially in the Seattle area where people ask about Sleepless in Seattle and Grey’s Anatomy sites. In Washington, D.C., the new Get Smart movie will surely draw more attention to historical sites, much like the National Treasure films did. The Greater Philadelphia Film Office noted that National Treasure fans are very interested in where the movie shot around the Independence Hall area. But the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where Rocky took his famous jog, remains the favorite film site for tourists.

Representatives from Historic Hotels of America were on hand to boast about their accommodating cast and crews, and memorable locations. The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado grabbed the spotlight in the 1996 ABC mini-series, The Shining. Donna Wagner with the Boar’s Head Inn in Charlottesville, Virginia, noted they’ve played host to Evan Almighty. Hilton Sales Worldwide and Marriott International were also promoting their properties during the three-day trade show.

The AFCI also promoted itself with a new logo and graphics, and brand enhancements that were unveiled at the event and seminars. Chair of the AFCI’s branding initiative task force, Honolulu Film Office commissioner Walea Constantinau said, “Our brand reflects this new progressive direction, vitality, and professionalism of the organization in our presentation to the world.”