AMLA Launches New Trail and Brochure Honoring All Military Service Men and Women

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karen Beasley, Vice President of Marketing & Communications
Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
PHONE: 256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381
EMAIL: karen@northalabama.org
WITH ART

 

AMLA Launches New Trail and Brochure Honoring All Military Service Men and Women

Decatur, Ala. (May 16, 2024) – The Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA) has developed and released a new trail and accompanying brochure highlighting for our visitors and residents destinations and events that honor all those who have served or are currently serving in the military forces of America. The new North Alabama Patriot Trail offers a self-guided tour of 79 patriotic stops in the 16 northernmost counties of Alabama.

The newest addition to AMLA’s trail mix is the North Alabama Patriot Trail, joining AMLA’s 10 existing trails. The North Alabama Patriot Trail brochure is a 12-page handy guide to memorial parks, museums, memorials, markers, archives, noteworthy locations, festivals, specials events and parades to visit in the 16 northernmost counties of North Alabama (Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston counties). The listings contain a description, address, phone number and website so travelers can easily plan a visit.

“The North Alabama Patriot Trail joins AMLA’s 10 existing trails and is part of our overall initiative to attract visitors while honoring those who have served or are currently serving in our country’s Armed Forces,” said AMLA President and CEO Tami Reist. “In developing this trail, we wanted to put patriotism on full display. Here in North Alabama, we are proud of the brave veterans who have made significant sacrifices for our nation’s freedom and the North Alabama Patriot Trail and brochure are a symbol of our gratitude for their service.”

A copy of the brochure is available for download at https://www.northalabama.org/places-to-visit/trails/patriot-trail/, may be picked up at the AMLA office located at 402 Sherman Street SE in Decatur or may be requested by calling 800.648.5381.

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About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)

AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the $4.7 billion North Alabama 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, golf courses, restaurants, accommodations and vendors. 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, by visiting www.NorthAlabama.org and by following us on social media @VisitNorthAL.

 

 

 

2025 Karen Beasley Headshot
Author
Karen Beasley

After unexpectantly losing her husband of 29 years, Karen returned to the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA) in 2023 as the vice president of marketing and communications where she helps guide the organization’s marketing and communications activities to position the North Alabama region as a must-experience destination for leisure travel. She has over 30 years of marketing experience, most recently working as a behind-the-scenes freelance public relations consultant for AMLA and other tourism organizations and festivals in north Alabama and Tennessee. From 1999 to 2004, AMLA employed her as the organization’s marketing representative, introducing her to a lifelong career in the tourism and travel industry. Following the birth of her second child, she transitioned to part-time freelance employment so that she could focus on family life.

 

She was named the Alabama Restaurant & Hospitality Association Tourism Promoter of the Year in 2025. She serves on the board of directors for the Huntsville/Madison County Hospitality Association, is a member of the Decatur/Morgan County Hospitality Association and the Tennessee Valley Chapter of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and volunteers with the Woody Williams Foundation and Vets Like Us.

 

She holds a B.S. degree in marketing and a MBA from the University of North Alabama and received her TMP – Travel Marketing Professional – certification from the Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College. She and her late husband, Michael, have two children, Keller and Logan.