Mountain Lakes Association announces 2024 PEAK award winners

DECATUR — Celebrating those who helped power North Alabama’s $4.7 billion tourism industry, the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association announced the recipients of its PEAK Awards.

The awards were presented Thursday in Huntsville during the organization’s annual meeting.

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

“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.”

This year’s award winners are:

• Organization of the Year – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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 “Green Apple Award” Award – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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, travel writer, Decatur
• President’s Award – 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, and Lee Sentell, director, Alabama Tourism Department
• North Alabama Ambassador of the Year – Recognizes the work and achievements of a top performing North Alabama Ambassador in the past year.
  Winner: Amy Mayfield, Huntsville

In addition to the PEAK Awards, six individuals were 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.

Honored were:

• 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)