Visit North Alabama

“I didn’t get there by wishing for it or hoping for it, but by working for it.” Estée Lauder Today, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women everywhere! From all of us at Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, we’re proud to stand alongside the incredible women shaping the future of travel and tourism in North Alabama. Here’s to breaking barriers, supporting one another, and inspiring the next generation. #visitnorthal #InternationalWomensDay #womenintourism

Our President & CEO Tami Gorham Reist has been named by TravelAbility as an Accessibility Champion of Change to watch for in 2025! We’re excited about what’s on the horizon for North Alabama this year for all of our visitors!

We had a wonderful morning honoring our North Alabama veterans and launching our new North Alabama Patriot Trail GeoTour Passport at the Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives in Athens! The North Alabama Patriot Trail showcases significant landmarks that commemorate the valor of America’s veterans, featuring locations such as memorial parks, veterans’ memorials and museums. With the new travel tools, we are providing a more connected and immersive journey for travelers who want to pay tribute and learn about North Alabama’s proud military history. For more info, go to https://lnkd.in/e-_Tu7K5.

Excited to have been awarded Tourism Promoter of the Year from the Alabama Hospitality and Restaurant Association! I loved seeing Senator Gudger receive the Excellence in Government Award, Cindy Yates receive the Educator of Excellence and Ashlee Crosby - Springhill Suites Huntsville Downtown receive the Hospitality Leadership Award and Teresa Taylor receive finalist for the Humanitarian Award! It was a great night for North Alabama! #visitnorthal #arha

Excited to be speaking at the TravelAbility’s Emerging Markets Summit held in San Fransisco. Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association and Tourism ALL-a-Bama, we will be sharing how we are making Sensory Tourism a priority for North Alabama. #visitnorthal

“The North Alabama region boasts a wealth of locations including charming historic downtowns, picturesque waterfalls, the world’s largest space museum, diverse landscapes and scenic vistas. Combine our beautiful assets with cheaper productions costs and North Alabama is positioned to be a highly sought after film location,” said AMLA President & CEO Tami Reist. We launched a new film office in partnership with the Alabama Film Commission. The North Alabama Film Commission, led by AMLA’s Membership Recruitment Coordinator Thereasa Hulgan, will market and sell the 16 county North Alabama region to the film and television industry.

Great Day in North Alabama having Congressman Dale Strong visit the Jesse Owens Park & Museum! It is wonderful to have a leader like Congressman Strong that understands the importance of tourism! #visitnorthal @repdalestrong

We are pleased to introduce Dr. Rolando Herts, the newly appointed representative of the National Park Service for the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument and the Freedom Riders National Monument located in Anniston. We were proud to have representatives from Birmingham, Decatur. Huntsville, Scottsboro and Anniston attend the reception! Thank you to Dr. Reidy for hosting the event at the Scottsboro Boy’s Museum. Another great museum located on our U.S. Civil Rights Trail! So proud to have Lee Sentell attend the event he has worked hard to share our civil rights history! #tourism #civilrightshistory #unesco

Our final North Alabama “String of Pearls” leader is Drew Green, former director of the Cullman County Museum. Drew has since retired, but he played an active role in the Cullman community for several years. 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: 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)

Teresa Taylor, who is with Yedla Management Company, was another tourism professional who was named a North Alabama “String of Pearls” leader at AMLA's annual meeting last week. 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: 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)