FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
PHONE: 256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381
EMAIL: info@northalabama.org
AMLA’s Tami Reist honored with Yellowhammer Women of Impact Award
Decatur, Ala. (September 1, 2021) – Tami Reist, president and chief executive officer of Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA), has been named a recipient of the Yellowhammer Women of Impact Award. She is one of 20 women from across the state of Alabama chosen for the distinguished award.
The fourth annual Yellowhammer Women of Impact Awards recognize the personal and professional accomplishments of Alabama women whose powerful contributions have moved the needle across business, government and non-profit sectors. These women are a force in the state and are respected leaders, advisers and mentors who empower others through the lives they devote and trails they blaze.
The honorees will be featured on Yellowhammer News beginning September 1 through 28, 2021, where each of their stories will be shared one-by-one each weekday. A reception to honor the recipients will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 30th at The Florentine located at 2101 2nd Avenue N in Birmingham.
“Tami’s professional career embodies what these awards are all about. Her contributions to the tourism industry are considerable. More than that, her contributions to the people, businesses and communities she serves are incredibly impactful,” said Allison Ross, Yellowhammer Multimedia owner and publisher.
As president and CEO of AMLA, Reist is responsible for planning, implementing, directing and evaluating all promotional programs as well as overall development of the tourism and travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the State of Alabama. The region currently generates more than $2.6 billion in travel expenditures on an annual basis. Her responsibilities also include strengthening and expanding the membership base of AMLA, a not-for-profit organization that is supported by 500-plus members. Under her leadership, AMLA received the 2015 Chairman of the Board Award from the Southeast Tourism Society, and in 2016, Reist was presented the Alabama Tourism Partnership Award of Excellence.
Reist is a board member for a number of tourism and travel-related and civic organizations including: governor appointee to the Scenic Byways Committee, Alabama Tourism Chair for the Appalachian Regional Commission, Southeast Tourism Society Legislative Council, the Alabama Bicentennial Commission, Alabama Travel Council, Alabama Council of Association Executives, Alabama Association of Destination Marketing Organizations and numerous other local and state travel-related groups. She is also an instructor at the Southeast Tourism Society’s Marketing College in Dahlonega, Ga., and is a past contributing presenter to the tourism and travel field of study at Mississippi State University in Starkville.
Among her many recognitions are the 2018 Athena International Leadership Award presented by Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, Alabama Travel Council Partnership Award, the Southeast Tourism Society Dorothy Hardman Spirit Award and This is Alabama and Birmingham magazine’s 2018 “Women Who Shape the State” honoree.
Before leading AMLA, Reist served as the president and CEO of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Under her management at the CVB, her team received the “Shining Example” award from the Southeast Tourism Society in 2009 and the 2008 “Tourism Organization of the Year” award from the Alabama Tourism Department. She was also previously the project manager and general manager of the Courtyard by Marriott - Decatur, Ala.; regional manager for the Hampton Inn and Country Inn & Suites by Carlson - Decatur and Florence, Ala.; and general manager and project coordinator of the Amberley Suite Hotel - Decatur, Ala.
For more information on the Yellowhammer Women of Impact award, visit https://alabamawomen.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.
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