The Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA) has honored the Tennessee RiverLine with the 2023 Organization of the Year award. The award is among 11 that comprise the 2023 PEAK Awards that were presented at the AMLA Annual Meeting held on Thursday, September 21 at Lake Guntersville State Park in Guntersville, 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 $4.3 billion tourism industry. 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.
The Tennessee RiverLine is a long-term initiative, led by faculty and students from the Schools of Landscape Architecture and Architecture at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, along with a team of partners including the National Park Service, Tennessee Valley Authority and Tennessee State Parks, to establish a continuous system of paddling, hiking and biking experiences along the Tennessee River’s 652-mile reach from Knoxville, Tenn., to Paducah, Ky. While still in early developmental stages, the project’s mission is to create North America’s next great regional trail system while celebrating the beauty, diversity and history of the Tennessee River, connecting the people and communities of the valley to each other, to river heritage and to the Tennessee River landscape and serving as a catalyst for economic, social and environmental impact in the four states and dozens of cities, towns and rural communities along the Tennessee River, as well as the more than 4.5 million residents who call the Tennessee River Valley home.
“With the PEAK Awards, we celebrate and recognize the best of the best in the North Alabama tourism industry. These individuals and organizations go beyond the call of duty to enhance the visitors’ experiences and are the reason 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: Tennessee RiverLine
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: Rock the South
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: Sand Mountain Park and 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: Julie Patton, Guntersville Museum
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: Tim and Kim Horton, Willow Oak Lodge
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: Blaze Bishop, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
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: Danielle Gibson, Decatur Morgan County Tourism
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: Jim and Faye Lacefield, Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve
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: Payton Walker, Tennessee Valley Living on WAFF 48
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: Angie Pierce, Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
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: Jennifer Clark, Berry, 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:
John Dersham, executive director, DeKalb Tourism
Trisa Collier, welcome center administrator, Alabama Tourism Department
Leigh Cross, Alabama Tourism Department
Debbie Wilson, executive director, Muscle Shoals Sound Studios
Katy Norton, president, Marshall County Tourism and Sports
Leslie Ecklund, CEO, Burritt on the Mountain