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Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association Named Tourism Organization of the Year
Montgomery, Ala. — The Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLTA) has been named 2009 Organization of the Year by the Alabama Tourism Department. The black-tie awards ceremony will take place Tuesday, September 1 at the Marriot Grand Hotel in Point Clear.
In 2008, AMLTA had a tremendous impact on tourism throughout the region. Travelers spent approximately $2.1 billion while visiting the 16 county area— an 8% increase from 2007. More than 30,403 individuals were employed directly and indirectly in the region last year.
“It is an honor to be recognized by one's peers naming Alabama Mountain Lakes as the Tourism Organization of the Year. This unique regional partnership was born out of a belief that through cooperation, a powerful alliance could build, strengthen and lead tourism in North Alabama. We are most grateful for this recognition,” said Mountain Lakes director Dane Lee Jennings”
The organization also produced a historic churches brochure appropriately titled the “Hallelujah Trail,” which was named one of National Geographic’s Appalachia Driving Tours, and was featured in the April 2008 National Geographic Magazine.
Last year, Alabama Mountain Lakes won the Southeast Tourism Society’s award for “best state or regional agency” among 12 states. The organization along with the Alabama Travel Council, and the Alabama Wineries Association produced the first Alabama Wine Trail brochure in 2008. The brochure has since doubled visitation to a number of Alabama vineyards. Other brochures produced by the AMLTA include the “Shop Till You Drop” shopping trail of North Alabama, the “26 Hot Spots in North Alabama”, “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep” accommodations brochure, and the “Wings, Dings, & Hooplas” festival brochure.
Tourism leaders and hospitality representatives throughout the state along with First Lady Patsy Riley will attend the awards banquet.
Criteria for the award include outstanding performance, outstanding economic impact statistics, quality and effectiveness of marketing efforts, additions and/or improvements designed to increase appeal to tourists, increased attendance and the enhancement of local, regional or state image as a tourist destination.
The Organization of the Year is among 13 for 2009 that comprise the Alabama tourism awards. The awards were first presented in 1998 and honor outstanding achievements in the state’s tourism industry. Each award winner is recognized as a key player in making tourism a strong economic force. Tourism contributed $9.6 Billion to Alabama’s economy in 2008; supported 170,000 jobs statewide and an estimated 22 million people visited the state last year.
The Alabama Tourism Department coordinates the awards program. Other winners are as follows:
· Government Advocate Award—Representative Richard Lindsey, 39th Congressional District.
· Alabama Tourism Hall of Fame—Tony Rayne; founder and past president of Abbeville Chamber of Commerce.
· Media Advocate Award—Raycom Media.
· Governor’s Tourism Award—J. Gary Ellis, President of Compass Marketing, Inc., Gulf Shores.
· Attraction of the Year—The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
· Event of the Year—BayFest, Mobile.
· Tourism Executive of the Year—Michael Gunn, VP of Convention Sales, Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau.
· Tourism Employee of the Year—Jennifer Moore, Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
· Partnership Award—Alabama Barbeque Association.
· Welcome Center of the Year—Sumter Welcome Center.
· *Theme Campaign— Alabama Scenic River Trail.
· *Rising Star Award—Kalleigh Drake, Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce.
*— denotes new award for 2009.
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