FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
PHONE: 256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381
EMAIL: info@northalabama.org
AMLA Honors Three Hospitality Leaders with 2020 President’s Award
Decatur, Ala. (September 24, 2020) - The Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA) has honored Hampton Inn Winfield Director of Sales and Events Hilda Smith, Huntsville International Airport Public Relations and Customer Service Manager Jana Kuner and Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association President/CEO Mindy Hanan with its 2020 President’s Award. The award is among 11 that comprise the 2020 PEAK Awards that were presented today during the AMLA Annual Meeting at 210 At The Tracks in Gadsden, Ala.
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.
Through her position as director of sales and events at the Hampton Inn, Hilda Smith found herself in the center of the kidnapping and murder of 19-year old Aniah Blanchard. During the search, Texas EquuSearch was stationed at the Hampton Inn in Winfield. As a tribute to the memory of Blanchard, Smith led the efforts to bring the first chapter of the search-and-rescue team to the state of Alabama. On February 15, 2020, Smith was named president of the Winfield chapter during a press conference. Texas EquuSearch (https://texasequusearch.org/) has worked on more than 2,000 missing person cases nationwide including Homewood teen Aniah Blanchard and Mountain Brook teen Natalie Holloway.
Jana Kuner meets people from all walks of life through her role as the public relations and customer service manager at Huntsville International Airport. Earlier this year, she assisted a frantic mother who could not recall where she had parked her car. In helping her find the car, Kuner and the woman struck up a conversation in which the woman shared how excited she was for her daughter who had answered an ad for a modeling job in Phoenix. Kuner has been trained to recognize that human traffickers often use manipulation or false promises of fame and fortune, well-paying acting and modeling jobs, or romantic relationships to lure vulnerable victims into trafficking situations. After meeting with the daughter and a phone call to the modeling agency, Kuner knew she had intervened at the right time and stopped what the Department of Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration confirmed as an attempted human trafficking incident – the first known incident of its kind at the Huntsville International Airport.
As president and CEO of the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association (ARHA), Mindy Hanan is dedicated to serving the needs of the foodservice and hospitality industry in the state of Alabama. Over her 20 years of experience, she has been actively involved in government affairs, workforce education and training and operations to meet the needs of the foodservice and hospitality industry throughout the state. The coronavirus pandemic has severely impacted the restaurant and hospitality industry and Hanan’s leadership abilities have been instrumental in guiding these businesses through unprecedented times. She was appointed to the Alabama Small Business Commission Emergency Task Force subcommittee and under her leadership, ARHA played a pivotal role in the Safer At Home order being amended to allow restaurants to reopen dining rooms. Today, she continues to be a voice in addressing the challenges COVID-19 presents across Alabama’s restaurant and hospitality industry.
Representing the highest achievement in North Alabama tourism, the PEAK Awards honor individuals, events and organizations that have had a major impact on tourism in North Alabama. “The PEAK Awards showcase the work, service, creativity and contributions of those who are leading the way in the North Alabama tourism industry,” said Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association President/CEO Tami Reist. “With the COVID-19 pandemic still looming, it has been and continues to be a challenging year for the tourism industry. This year’s winners have demonstrated a commitment like no other to showcase the best of North Alabama during these unprecedented times. It is a well-deserved win for each of the recipients.”
Full list of winners:
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: Land Trust of North Alabama
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: Apollo 50th Anniversary Celebration
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: Cook Museum of Natural Science
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: Philip Formby, operations director, Sand Mountain Park and Amphitheatre
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: Haley Newton, facilities operator, Joe Wheeler State Park
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: Maryanne Floyd, communications director, Decatur Morgan County Tourism
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: Pete Doyle, general manager, Holiday Inn Research Park
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: Scotty Kennedy, curator, Red Bay Museum
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: Fred Hunter, Absolutely Alabama
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.
Winners: Hilda Smith, director of sales and events, Hampton Inn by Hilton, Winfield, Ala.
Jana Kuner, public relations and customer service manager, Huntsville International Airport
Mindy Hanan, president/CEO, Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association
Top North Alabama Ambassador of the Year
The award recognizes the work and achievements of the top performing North Alabama Ambassador in 2020.
Winner: Zenovia Stephens, Huntsville, Ala. (@blackadventurecrew)
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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