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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)

Nanda Patel with Gallery 808 has been a positive influence in the tourism industry for many years! Listen as she talks about being 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)

Cassie Medley, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, was another tourism professional 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)

Listen as Jennifer Moore, President/CEO of Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau, talks about being 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)

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. Listen as Sandy Thompson, who is the Director of the Alabama Veterans Museum in Athens, talks about the honor. Other honorees are: 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)

The Power of Tourism & Travel. Happy 60th Anniversary to Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association! #visitnorthal #poweroftourismandtravel #tourismindustry

The Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA) announces the recipients of the 2024 PEAK Awards. The program pays tribute to tourism leaders, attractions, festivals and organizations that set the bar for North Alabama’s $4.7 billion tourism industry. The awards presentation is part of the AMLA Annual Meeting held today at The Jackson Center in Huntsville. Eleven awards were handed out at the awards presentation, held during the annual meeting. This year’s award winners are: Organization of the Year Bear Creek Development Authority Event of the Year Red Bay Founder’s Fest Attraction of the Year Scottsboro Boys Museum Good Neighbor Award Good Culture Inc. Northern Star Award David Young, ranger, Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Young Professional of the Year Award Lillie Beth Warner, director of communications, Decatur Morgan County Tourism Tourism Professional of the Year Dr. Kimberly Robinson, CEO & executive director, U.S. Space & Rocket Center Lasting Impression Award Camp Courage, A Helen Keller Experience Chairman’s Cup Lisa Battles, travelwriter, Decatur President’s Award Gil Langley, former AMLA executive director & Lee Sentell, director, Alabama Tourism Department North Alabama Ambassador of the Year Amy Mayfield, Huntsville 📸: Juergen Beck

Tami Reist spoke about tourism at the Intensive Economic Development Training Course held in Auburn this week. Tourism is economic development. #visitnorthal

Tourism brings life to our towns! Watch how our North Alabama tourism professionals make every visit a meaningful one to our visitors! #visitnorthal #tourismmatters #tourismindustry