Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association The official site for North Alabama tourism professionals
Decatur, Ala. – The Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA) announced the recipients of the 2018 PEAK Awards at the AMLA Annual Meeting today at Lake Guntersville State Park.
Representing the highest achievement in North Alabama tourism, the PEAK Awards honor individuals and organizations that have had a major impact on tourism in North Alabama. “The PEAK Awards showcase the best of the best in the North Alabama tourism industry,” said Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association President/CEO Tami Reist. “Each of the award recipients plays a major role in making North Alabama a great place to visit. Their efforts to elevate the region as a premier tourism destination have been extremely valuable for tourism on a local, regional and state level.”
Eleven awards were handed out at the awards presentation, held during the annual meeting. This year’s award winners are:
Organization of the Year
The Organization of the Year award is presented to the AMLA member organization that has contributed significantly to the betterment and development of tourism in North Alabama in the past year.
Winner: Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau
Event of the Year
The Event of the Year award is presented to the AMLA member special event or festival that has made a great contribution to tourism in the past year.
Winner: Panoply
Attraction of the Year
The Attraction of the Year award is presented to the AMLA member attraction that has made a great contribution to tourism in the past year.
Winner: Burritt on the Mountain
Good Neighbor Award
The “Good Neighbor” Friend of Tourism Award is presented to a person or organization whose body of work has had a significant impact on tourism in the past year.
Winner: Sara Love, retired, Athens State University
Northern Star Award
The Northern Star Award is presented to an individual, such as a ranger, guide and a front line employee, who has gone “above and beyond” expectations.
Winner: Town of Mooresville
Young Professional of the Year Award
The Young Professional of the Year “Green Apple Award” is awarded to a person who has been in the tourism business less than seven years and has exhibited extraordinary leadership skills and initiative associated with their position.
Winner: Kristen Pepper, Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Tourism Professional of the Year
The Tourism Professional of the Year award is presented to an individual or employee of an AMLA member organization who has made a great contribution to tourism in the past year.
Winner: Katy Norton, Marshall County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Lasting Impression Award
The Lasting Impression Award is presented to an attraction, event, person or organization that has provided a “lasting impression” on tourists thereby improving the overall image of tourism in North Alabama.
Winner: Avice Pearson, DeKalb Tourism
Chairman’s Cup
The Chairman’s Cup Award is given annually to a travel writer or media person who has over time demonstrated support of AMLA, the region and its tourism activities.
Winner: Dion Hose, WAFF
President’s Award
The President’s Award is presented to any person or organization whose tourism-related project created awareness or presented a positive image for North Alabama in the past year.
Winner: Beth Jacques, Microtel Inn and Suites (Albertville) and Betty Bogie and Ussery Brannon, Alabama Bass Trail volunteers
Cutting Edge Award
The Cutting Edge Award is presented to a person or organization that reflects the latest, the greatest, the most innovation and the most advanced version of a marketing program.
Winner: Kay Donaldson, Alabama Bass Trail
Images of award recipients are available upon request by calling AMLA at 800.648.5381 or by sending an email to angie@northalabama.org.
About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)
AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state. It is supported by 500-plus members consisting of chambers of commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, attractions, campgrounds, festivals, communities, counties, golf courses, restaurants, tour operators, accommodations, vendors, financial institutions and individuals. Counties included within the AMLA region are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston. Additional information on North Alabama destinations, accommodations and special events is available by calling 800.648.5381 or by visiting www.NorthAlabama.org. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @VisitNorthAL and like us at www.facebook.com/VisitNorthAL.
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