Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports - Visit Tuscaloosa

?? If spending time in the kitchen isn’t on your agenda this Thanksgiving, you’re in luck! Tuscaloosa has a variety of restaurants open on Thanksgiving ready to serve up delicious meals for you and your loved ones. ?? Whether you’re looking to dine in or enjoy a special to-go meal, we’ve got you covered. Check out our list of local spots that will be open on Thanksgiving Day, along with a separate list of restaurants offering convenient to-go options, so you can relax and enjoy the holiday without the hassle of cooking!

?? In honor of Native American Heritage Month, we’re proud to share an insightful blog written by Dr. Clay Nelson, Director of Moundville Archaeological Park. Dr. Nelson offers a unique perspective on the history, culture, and enduring legacy of Native American communities in our region. This month, let’s take the opportunity to learn more, celebrate the rich history of Native peoples, and reflect on their contributions to our society. Don’t miss out on this enlightening read! #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #Moundville #VisitTCL

?? On Monday, November 4, Visit Tuscaloosa hosted an unforgettable night at The Sanctuary on 25th for the 2024 Tuscaloosa Tourism Bash! The event celebrated the incredible hospitality and tourism industry and recognized the outstanding individuals who go above and beyond to make Tuscaloosa shine. President and CEO Kelsey Colglazier Rush, TMP, along with the Visit Tuscaloosa team, honored seven exceptional individuals with the Tuscaloosa County Hospitality Champions of the Year awards. ?? The five award categories included: ?? Hotel General Manager of the Year, Aireal Smith ?? Restaurant General Manager of the Year, Karlo Guzman ?? Hotel Sales Professional of the Year, Ciara Daniel ? Archibald-Williams Hospitality Trailblazers: Ken Washington Luzonia Curley Katherine Bryant ??? The first-ever Chef of the Year, Phillip Huver A huge congratulations to all the award recipients for their dedication to making Tuscaloosa a top destination. Let’s continue to support and celebrate those who make our community and hospitality industry thrive! We were also proud to honor the men and women of Tuscaloosa Police Department and Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue at this year's Tourism Bash. Without their protection, we wouldn't be able to have such a wonderful city for others to visit and for us to call home. ?? #VisitTCL Read more about this year's honorees here: https://lnkd.in/ew3bgMCp

?? Spotlight on Naytalia Douglas: Elevating Tuscaloosa’s Visitor Experience ?? Meet Naytalia Douglas, the dynamic Destination Services Manager at Visit Tuscaloosa, where she’s a driving force behind creating unforgettable experiences for visitors and cultivating strong partnerships within the local tourism community. With a passion for hospitality and a keen eye for detail, Naytalia’s role is all about connecting people—whether it’s welcoming new guests to Tuscaloosa or supporting local tourism businesses to make sure every visit is memorable. She is often the first smiling face a visitor sees when they enter our office! From providing personalized recommendations to coordinating events and tours, she ensures that every visitor feels like a part of the community. Her expertise lies in building meaningful relationships with local partners, ensuring seamless coordination, and offering exceptional service to tourists, which directly impacts the growth and success of Tuscaloosa’s tourism industry. Naytalia is committed to making Tuscaloosa not just a place to visit, but a destination to remember. Whether you're planning your next visit or looking to collaborate in the tourism space, Naytalia is your go-to expert for all things Tuscaloosa. Join us in recognizing and thanking her for all she does! ?? #VisitTCL

?? Global Entrepreneurship Week is Here—and so Is the Innovation! ?? This November, The EDGE Center for Entrepreneurship in Tuscaloosa is celebrating Global Entrepreneurship Week with two incredible events you don’t want to miss! ?? River Pitch Competition Got a business idea? Looking for feedback, mentorship, or maybe a little funding? The River Pitch Competition is the perfect opportunity! This FREE competition is open to anyone with a business idea living in West Alabama, offering participants the chance to win one of 10+ $1,000 prizes. Plus, you’ll receive valuable feedback from community leaders that could help take your idea to the next level. ?? When: November 19th | 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Where: The Tuscaloosa River Market, 1900 Jack Warner Pkwy Deadline to sign-up: November 4th Register Here: bit.ly/RP2024_CONTESTANT ?? Judges and facilitators are still needed! If you’re an established member of the community, this is your chance to give back by helping aspiring entrepreneurs. ?? Demo Day Want to see innovation in action? Come out to Demo Day to network with local startups, meet the entrepreneurs behind them, and see their products in action. This FREE community event features product presentations, workshops, and a chance to connect with Tuscaloosa’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. ?? When: November 20th | 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Where: The EDGE Center Please let us know you are coming by RSVP?at https://lnkd.in/edBn7hWp Tentative Schedule: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Round 1 - Product Presentations 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch & Networking 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Round 2 - Product Presentations 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Entrepreneur Showcase & Networking 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Happy Hour + Heavy Hors d’Oeuvres 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Keynote Presentation 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: More Networking + Showcase This is your chance to see firsthand the exciting new businesses making waves in our community—and who knows, you might just find your next collaborator, mentor, or even investor! Let’s make Global Entrepreneurship Week a time to celebrate, support, and elevate the innovative spirit of Tuscaloosa! ??? #GlobalEntrepreneurshipWeek #GEW2024 #VisitTCL

?? Celebrating Excellence in Hospitality: Congratulations to our area Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association(ARHA) Stars of the Industry winners!?? On behalf of Visit Tuscaloosa, we’re thrilled to celebrate three outstanding individuals who were recently honored with Stars of the Industry Awards! These awards recognize exceptional dedication and service in the hospitality industry, and we couldn’t be prouder of our local winners. ?? ? Small Hotelier of the Year Heather Dill – The Alamite, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel Heather has shown incredible leadership in creating an exceptional guest experience, elevating The Alamite as a top destination in Tuscaloosa. Her commitment to service and attention to detail has made a lasting impact on both her guests and her team. ?? ? Front of the House Hospitality Employee of the Year Sandra Nixon – Courtyard by Marriott Northport Sandra is at the heart of the Courtyard by Marriott Northport, delivering outstanding service with a warm smile every day. Her passion for hospitality and dedication to guests is what truly makes her shine to everyone she encounters. ?? ? Back of the House Restaurant Employee of the Year D'Andre Lee – Baumhower’s Tuscaloosa North D’Andre’s hard work and dedication behind the scenes at Baumhower’s ensures every meal is perfect and every guest leaves satisfied. His quiet commitment to excellence is an integral part of the restaurant’s success. ??? These prestigious awards honor individuals who go above and beyond to elevate Tuscaloosa’s vibrant hospitality scene. Their hard work and passion inspire us all to deliver the best experiences to visitors and residents alike. Join us in congratulating Heather, Sandra, and D'Andre for their well-deserved recognition! ???? #StarsOfTheIndustry #HospitalityExcellence #Tuscaloosa #VisitTuscaloosa #VisitTCL

?? Shining a Spotlight on Robins Bonner: Senior Sports Sales & Event Development Manager at Visit Tuscaloosa! ?? Meet Robins Bonner, the powerhouse behind some of the most exciting sporting events in Tuscaloosa County! Robins travels the country to recruit unique, high-profile sports events that bring economic growth and excitement to our community. ?????? But his work doesn’t end with securing the events. Robins is a true event architect, handling everything from logistics to execution, ensuring that each event is an unforgettable success for participants and spectators alike. ?? Thanks to Robins’ expertise, passion, and dedication, Tuscaloosa County is continuing to be a sports destination of choice! ?? Next time you’re at a sporting event in Tuscaloosa, remember—Robins likely played a pivotal role in making it happen! #VisitTCL

Thank you Johnnie Aycock, CPC, IOM and Jann Simpson for having us on Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa LLC’s radio show “The Noon Show!” ?? Kelsey Colglazier Rush, TMP proudly discussed Tuscaloosa Tourism Bash alongside two of our outstanding award winners, Hotel General Manager of The Year, Aireal Smith from Hampton Inn Tuscaloosa - University and Kenneth Washington, one of our Hospitality Trailblazers of The Year from University Club.?? We are so proud of all the hard working hospitality workers who make our community such a nice place to eat, play, eat, stay and live! Thank you! ???? #VisitTCL

?? WHAT A NIGHT! ??The Fourth Annual Visit Tuscaloosa Tourism Bash presented by Coca-Cola is in the books! Monday night, the Visit Tuscaloosa team was so proud to host over 150 of our hospitality industry partners and their loved ones at The Sanctuary On 25th. The food, drinks, entertainment and all-around atmosphere were ten out of ten! ?????? Each year we hold this event to recognize the heart and countless hours of hard work these individuals put into their respective professions. Without them, Tuscaloosa County would not be the incredible place it is to live, work, play and stay! ????????? We have so many more photos to post of the evening and individual awards given! Stay tuned! ?? #VisitTCL

?? Exciting Spotlight on Josh Rivers! ?? Meet Josh Rivers, the man behind community partnerships and group tour experiences at Visit Tuscaloosa! ?? With a wealth of expertise in tourism, hospitality, and event management, Josh is dedicated to showcasing the vibrant charm of Tuscaloosa County to visitors and locals alike. His passion for creating unforgettable experiences shines through in everything he does, from event sales to customer service. As a seasoned event services professional, Josh thrives on connecting people with the unique offerings of our beautiful destination. If you’re looking to elevate your next event or explore the wonders of Tuscaloosa County, Josh is your go-to guy! Let’s celebrate Josh and his amazing contributions to our community! #VisitTCL