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
AMLA Videos Earn Top Honors from American Advertising Federation North Alabama
Decatur, Ala. (March 9, 2026) – The Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA) is celebrating a major achievement after two videos from its “Access Your Next Adventure” campaign received top honors at the American Advertising Awards Gala held Thursday, February 26, 2026, at the Huntsville Historic Depot Roundhouse.
The campaign, designed to showcase North Alabama’s welcoming spirit and diverse travel experiences, earned multiple awards across the professional competition. To be eligible for the February awards gala, entries had to be released during the 2025 calendar year.
The video “Under the Sun, Moon, & Stars: Accessible North Alabama with Wonders Within Reach” received a Gold ADDY Award and the prestigious Mosaic Award, which recognizes companies and individuals demonstrating a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion through creative work, advocacy and organizational initiatives.
In addition, “Phoenyx Travels” earned a Gold ADDY Award and was named Best of Show, the competition’s highest distinction. The honor was selected from all professional entries across every medium, highlighting the exceptional creativity and impact of the campaign.
For both videos, credits go to:
Phil Woodall, Director, The Library of
Bethany Collins, Producer, The Library of
Leslie Walker, Talent Coordinator, Leslie Walker Consulting
Tami Reist, Executive Producer, AMLA
Jonathan Powell, Camera Operator, The Library of
Adam Vaden, Camera Operator, The Library of
Sophie Young, Editor, The Library of
“We’re incredibly proud of the recognition these videos received,” said AMLA President/CEO Tami Reist. “The Access Your Next Adventure campaign was created to highlight the incredible experiences available throughout North Alabama while ensuring travelers with disabilities feel invited to explore our region. Seeing this work honored at such a high level is both exciting and rewarding.”
The 2025 American Advertising Awards competition, conducted annually by the American Advertising Federation (AAF) North Alabama, is a prestigious contest that celebrates creative excellence in advertising and marketing. This local competition serves as the first stage of a three-tier national contest, offering North Alabama creatives the chance to showcase their work on a national stage.
Entries were reviewed by an esteemed jury of industry leaders, including:
John Weiss, founder of Human Design
Elka Olsen Carroll, a Dallas-based Writer and Creative Director
Joel Wheat, Creative Director and Brand Executive at Salesforce
Winning entries were unveiled at the 2026 AAF North Alabama Awards Gala, which took place on February 26, 2026, at the Huntsville Historic Depot Roundhouse.
For more information about accessible-friendly travel in North Alabama, visit www.accessiblenorthal.com or follow @VisitNorthAL on social media.
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About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)
The official destination marketing organization for Visit North Alabama, AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the $4.9 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.
About AAF North Alabama
The American Advertising Federation (AAF) North Alabama is dedicated to advancing the advertising and marketing profession through education, networking, and recognition. The organization celebrates creativity and innovation while fostering connections that drive individual and community success. For more information, visit https://www.aafna.org/.
