FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karen Beasley, Director of Marketing & Communications
Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
PHONE: 256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381
EMAIL: karen@northalabama.org
AMLA’s President/CEO and Vice President Receive State Tourism Awards
Decatur, Ala. (August 31, 2023) – Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA) President/CEO Tami Reist and Vice-President Angie Pierce were named Tourism Executive of the Year and Tourism Industry Employee of the Year, respectively, by the Alabama Tourism Department at the Alabama Tourism Awards Ceremony. The awards are two of 15 tourism awards presented at the 2023 Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism recently held at the Grand Hotel Golf Resort and Spa in Point Clear, Ala.
“We have incredibly strong tourism industry professionals in Alabama, and those recognized this year are no exception,” said Lee Sentell, director of Alabama Tourism Department. “Their unwavering leadership and dedication continue to elevate Alabama as one of the go-to destinations in America. We are proud to recognize the people and organizations that contribute to the success of tourism in the state.”
“It is an honor to receive the Tourism Executive of the Year award from the Alabama Tourism Department. It is a privilege to lead a talented and committed team, and without them, our board of directors, 500+ members and tourism partners, the North Alabama tourism industry would not be a $4.3 billion economic powerhouse. I thoroughly enjoy what I do and find it an honor to market and represent North Alabama within our state, across the country and internationally,” said Reist. “
Pierce stated, “In July, I celebrated my 25th anniversary with AMLA. I had not given much thought to tourism as an industry, much less a career so I am forever thankful I was given the opportunity 25 years ago to be a part of a wonderful organization surrounded by people who have allowed me to grow and share my love of North Alabama. I have had the privilege of meeting and working with so many talented individuals and seen places I doubt I would have seen otherwise. It is an honor to be recognized by my peers as the Tourism Industry Employee of the Year.”
Candidates for the tourism executive of the year and tourism industry employee of the year are nominated by industry peers.
Other award winners hailing from North Alabama include:
Don Dukemineer, Decatur Morgan County Tourism, Governor’s Tourism Award
Rock the South, Cullman, Ala., Event of the Year
Alabama State Senator Garlan Gudger, Tourism Advocate-Government
Judy Ryals, Huntsville/Madison County CVB, Alabama Travel Council Lifetime Achievement
and Alabama Tourism Department Directors Award
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About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)
AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the $4.3 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.
