FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association

PHONE: 256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381

EMAIL: info@northalabama.org

Lexington Truck and Tractor Pull Named North Alabama’s Event of the Year

Decatur, Ala. (September 22, 2022) - The Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA) has honored the Lexington Truck and Tractor Pull with the 2022 Event of the Year award. The award is among 11 that comprise the 2022 PEAK Awards that were presented today at the AMLA Annual Meeting held at Mars Music Hall in downtown Huntsville, Ala.

Representing the highest achievement in North Alabama tourism, the PEAK Awards honor individuals and organizations that have had a major impact on tourism in North Alabama. 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.

In 2019, the town of Lexington (Ala.) announced the return of its popular Lexington Truck and Tractor Pull. The event started in 1978 and was last held in 2008. During this time, it received attention from ESPN and a mention in Vogue magazine on its list of unusual places to meet men. The 2019 Lexington Truck and Tractor Pull was voted Pull of the Year by the Mid-South Pullers Association and the 2020 event had a record number of trucks and tractors participating in the competition with nine states represented. The 2021 attendance figure exceeded previous events with over 17,000 people descending on the town with a population of 785.

“With the PEAK Awards, we celebrate and recognize the many talented individuals and organizations who offer our visitors a unique and memorable experience. These individuals and organizations continue to show their commitment, resilience and ingenuity, even during the uncertain times a pandemic brings with it. Because of these tourism leaders, attractions, festivals and front-line workers, the tourism and travel industry continues to be a driving force in North Alabama’s economy,” said AMLA President/CEO Tami Reist.  

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: Marshall County Tourism and Sports 

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: Lexington Truck and Tractor Pull  

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:  Orion Amphitheater

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: Mayor Kerry Underwood, City of Tuscumbia 

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: Jabria Finch, Double Tree Suites by Hilton South Parkway   

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: Blake Williams, Blake Williams Communications 

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: Pam Williams, Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau  

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: Scottsboro Three Arts Club 

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: Carrie Banks, Communications Director, Alabama League of Municipalities and editor, Alabama Municipal Journal 

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.

Winner: The late William “Bill” Jarnigan, University of North Alabama   

Top North Alabama Ambassador of the Year

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

Winner: David Parham, Huntsville, Ala. 

Images of award recipients are available upon request by calling AMLA at 800.648.5381 or by sending an email to angie@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 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 from AMLA by calling 800.648.5381 or by visiting their web site at www.NorthAlabama.org