Dr. Kimberly Robinson Awarded North Alabama’s Tourism Professional of the Year Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Karen Beasley, Vice President of Marketing & Communications

Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association

PHONE: 256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381

Dr. Kimberly Robinson Awarded North Alabama’s Tourism Professional of the Year Award

Decatur, Ala. (September 26, 2024) - The Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA) has honored Dr. Kimberly Robinson as the 2024 Tourism Professional of the Year. The award is among 11 that comprise the 2024 PEAK Awards that were presented today at the AMLA Annual Meeting held at The Jackson Center in Huntsville, Ala.

Representing the highest achievement in North Alabama tourism, the PEAK Awards program pays tribute to tourism leaders, attractions, festivals and organizations that set the bar for North Alabama’s $4.7 billion tourism industry. 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.

Dr. Robinson, CEO and executive director of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, has led the attraction through numerous major capital improvements in the past year. Under Dr. Robinson’s leadership, the Space & Rocket Center recently celebrated the completion of the Space Camp Operations Center (SPOC) and the revitalization of Rocket Park's Rocket Row with plans to restore the Pathfinder orbiter. Dr. Robinson’s efforts also include the development of a new amphitheater and the Marshall Retirees Association’s Space Exploration Honor Wall, honoring over 21,000 local people who have supported space exploration as employees of NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and companies that work with NASA. Another important addition to Rocket Park will be a section of the SLS Core Stage Pathfinder, a mock-up that matches the size, weight and center of gravity of the Space Launch System that is managed by Marshall Space Flight Center. The segment will illustrate the massive size of the SLS launch vehicle and help tell the story of the Rocket City’s current and ongoing role in space exploration. Dr. Robinson is the recipient of numerous NASA performance awards including an Exceptional Achievement Medal and Silver Snoopy.

“The PEAK Awards celebrate the outstanding work of the communities, businesses, organizations and individuals who help drive the success of the North Alabama tourism industry, which is a critical economic engine for the 16-county region, generating $4.7 billion in economic impact,” said Tami Reist, President/CEO of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association. “Whether they are operating on the frontlines or from behind the scenes, these award recipients have done an exemplary job in delivering an exceptional visitor experience and have worked tirelessly to make North Alabama a place that people from all over choose to visit.”

The full list of awards and winners is as follows:

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: Bear Creek Development Authority

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: Red Bay Founder’s Fest

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: Scottsboro Boys Museum

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: Good Culture Inc.

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: David Young, ranger, Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge

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: Lillie Beth Warner, director of communications, 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: Dr. Kimberly Robinson, CEO & executive director, U.S. Space & Rocket Center

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: Camp Courage, A Helen Keller Experience

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: Lisa Battles, travelwriter

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: Gil Langley, former AMLA executive director & Lee Sentell, director, Alabama Tourism Department

North Alabama Ambassador of the Year

The award recognizes the work and achievements of a top performing North Alabama Ambassador in the past year.

Winner: Amy Mayfield, Huntsville, Ala.

In addition to the PEAK Awards, six individuals have been named a North Alabama “String of Pearls” leader. The “String of Pearl Leaders” award was created to recognize North Alabama’s cornerstone professionals in the tourism and travel industry. In 1960, Dick Ordway, Decatur Chamber of Commerce Director and one of the visionaries and founders of AMLA said, “Even back then we saw North Alabama had a number of quality destinations laid out across the region next to the Tennessee River like a string of pearls.” His efforts were the cornerstone for the creation of AMLA and his vision is what the “string of pearls” recognition is based on. Honorees are:

Sandy Thompson, Alabama Veterans Museum

Jennifer Moore, Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Cassie Medley, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce

Nanda Patel, Gallery at 808

Teresa White Taylor, Yedla Management Company

Drew Green, Cullman County Museum (retired)

Images of award recipients are available upon request by calling AMLA at 800.648.5381 or by sending an email to karen@northalabama.org.

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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.