Alabama Tourism Award Winners
Tourism Hall of Fame
1998–Walter & Bessie Bellingrath, Robert S. Hardy, Bill Tunnell
1999–Dr. Bronner, Capt. Diffley, Frances Smiley
2000–Don Naman, Judy Ryals, Lee Sentell,
2001–Bill Armistead, Patti Culp, David Johnson
2002–Talmadge Butler, Pedro Mandoki, Danna Lee Tatum
2003—Odessa Woolfolk, Eva Golson, Ed Hall
2004—Ed Buckbee
2005—Walter E. Penry, Jr.
2006—Sara Redding
2007—Martin Darity, Frances Smiley
2008—Chalmus Weathers
2009—Anthony J. Rane
2011—Doug Purcell
2012 – Dr. Edwin Bridges
2013 – No nomination
2014 – Mary Ann Neely
2015 – Dr. Lawrence J. Pijeaux, Jr.
2016 – David Johnson, Elaine Fuller, Bellingrath Gardens, & Preister’s Pecans
2017 – Allen W. Mathis & J. Gary Ellis
2018 – Dr. William E. Barrick
2019-No Award Presented
2020 – Sue Pilkilton; Unclaimed Baggage
2021 – No Award Presented
2022-John Wild, Auburn-Opelika Tourism
2023-Tynette Lynch, Aldridge Gardens and Darlene Negrotto, Business Center of Alabama, Inc.
Director’s Award
2005- WBRC TV
2006–Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
2007—Robert Craft
2008—Unclaimed Baggage
2011 – Fame Studios
2012 – No Award Presented
2013 – No Award Presented
2014 – No Award Presented
2015- No Award Presented
2016 – Jason Wilson-Back Forty Brewing
2018 – Jason Isbell
2019-No Award Presented
2020 – Martha Bouyer
2021 – Senator Clay Scofield
2022-No Award Presented
2023-Judy Ryals
Attraction of the Year
1998–U.S. Space and Rocket Center
1999–Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
2000–International Motorsports Hall of Fame
2001–Alabama Shakespeare Festival
2002–USS Alabama
2003—The American Village
2004—The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament
2005—RTJ Golf Trail
2006—Huntsville Botanical Garden
2007—Alabama Adventure
2008—Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center
2009—The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
2010—Alabama Music Hall of Fame
2011—Barber Motorsport Park & Museum
2012 – Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
2013 – The Museum of Alabama
2014 – USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
2015 – Gulf Quest National Maritime Museum
2016 – 3614 Jackson Highway
2017 – The Park at OWA
2018 – Gulf State Park
2019-National Memorial for Peace and Justice/The Legacy Museum
2020 – McWane Science Center
2021 – Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center
2022 – Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration
2023- No Award Given
Event of the Year
1998–Mercedes-Benz Grand Opening
1999–Winston 500
2000–Brunos Memorial
2001–Rosa Parks Library Dedication
2002–Trail of Tears
2003—Sail Mobile
2004—Fairhope Arts & Craft Festival
2005—Dead Sea Scrolls
2006—Santa’s Village
2007—W.C. Handy Festival
2008—Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts (The Art of Competition)
2009—BayFest
2010—Star Wars
2011—Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama
2012 – The Hangout Music Festival
2013 – City of Birmingham -50 Years Forward
2014 – Gadsden Riverfest
2015 – Boom Days
2016 – National Shrimp Festival
2017 – No Award Presented
2018-No Award Presented
2019-Constitution Hall Park Bicentennial Celebrations
2020 – Alabama Bicentennial
2021 – Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival-South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce/OWA/City of Foley
2022-Jubilee Festival of Arts – Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce
2023-Rock the South
Governor’s Tourism Award
1998–John Henderson
1999–George Eastman
2000–Thomas G. Walker
2001–George Swift
2002–Robert Devane
2003—Harvey & Joyce Ann Robbins
2004—Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
2005—Race Fever-2005
2006—Virginia Whitfield/Whitfield Foods
2007—Jack Warner
2008—Come Home It’s Suppertime
2009—J. Gary Ellis
2010—James W. Rane, Sr.
2011 – No Award Presented
2012 – Bill Barrick
2013 – Alabama Gulf Coast Reef & Restoration Foundation
2014 – No Award Presented
2015 – Majestic 3 (State Parks)
2016 – No Award Presented
2017 – No Award Presented
2018 – No Award Presented
2019-No Award Presented
2020 – John Tampa
2021 – No Award Presented
2022-Carol McElheney, Hudson Group
2023- Don Dukemineer, Sports Alabama
Tourism Professional of the Year
2003 –Allison Stanfield, Florence/Lauderdale County CVB
2004—Cecile Clark-Visit Mobile
2005—Colette Boehm-Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
2007—Linda Vice-Thomasville
2008—Charles Winters-Huntsville/Madison County CVB
2009—Jennifer Moore-Huntsville/Madison County CVB
2010—Angie M. Pierce-Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
2011—Ron McConnell-Visit Mobile
2012 – Kim Chapman-Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
2013 – No Award Presented
2014 – No Award Presented
2015 – No Award Presented
2016 – Vickie Ashford-Greater Birmingham CVB
2017 – Paula Steigerwald-Huntsville Botanical Gardens
2018-No Award Presented
2019-Bill Dowling-The Valley Hotel
2020 – Marion Winn-Montgomery Chamber of Commerce
2021 – Patty Kieffer – Visit Mobile
2022-Rhonda Davis – USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
2023- Angie Pierce – Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
Tourism Organization
1998–Mobile CVB
1999–Selma-Dallas Chamber
2000–Greater Birmingham CVB
2001–Huntsville/Madison CVB
2002–Marshall County CVB
2003—Alabama Travel Council
2004—Huntsville/Madison Count y CVB
2005—Gulf Coast CVB
2006—Florence/Lauderdale Tourism
2007—Birmingham CVB
2008—Decatur CVB
2009—Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
2010—Alabama Gulf Coast CVB
2011—Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
2012 – Clay County Chamber of Commerce
2013 – Dekalb County Tourist Association
2014 – Florence/Lauderdale Tourism
2015 – Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Tourism
2016 – Huntsville Convention & Visitors Bureau
2017 – City of Foley
2018 – The Alabama Bass Trail
2019-Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association
2020 – Marshall County CVB
2021 – Auburn-Opelika Tourism
2022-Lake Martin Tourism Association
2023- Visit Tuscaloosa
Tourism Partnership
1998–Alabama Gulf Coast CVB
1999–Chief Ladiga Trail
2000–Central Alabama’s Black Belt Heritage Trail
2001–Alabama Tourism Partnership
2002–Alabama Bass Trail
2003—Alabama Coastal Birding Trail
2004—Travel South Showcase Mobile
2005—West Alabama Hunting & Fishing Trail
2006—Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham
2007—Tuscaloosa CVB
2008—Montgomery CVB
2009—Alabama Barbecue Association
2010—Elmore County Economic Development Authority
2011—Tuscaloosa CVB
2012 – Mobile City Pass
2013 – Alabama Bass Trail
2014 – Bob Baumhower
2015 – Coastal Alabama Partnership
2016 – Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Tourism
2017 – Jerry Fouse (TVA)
2018 – The Montgomery Chamber/Convention & Visitors Bureau/Equal Justice Initiative
2019-Travel South
2020 – Visit Mobile/Mobile Area Lodging Association
2021 – Africatown Collaborative (Darron Patterson, Cleon Jones, Joe Womack, Anderson Flen, Derek Tucker, Chris Williams); Alabama Historical Commission; the City of Mobile; Mobile County; and SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design) Paul Runko, Allison Marrero
2022-Orion Theatre and the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio
2023-University of Alabama – Alabama Birding Trail
Tourism Executive
1998–Antonio Cole,
1999–Sara Fuller, Greater Birmingham CVB
2000–Georgia Carter Turner, Alabama Mountain Lakes Assn.
2001–Bebe Gant-Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
2002–Mike Foster-Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
2003–Pam Swanner-Decatur CVB
2004—Robert “Bob” Hendrix-Visit Dothan
2005—Herbert J. Malone-Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
2006—Dr. Lawrence J. Pijeaux, Jr.-Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
2007—Leon Maisel-Visit Mobile
2008—Gene Brett-Brett Robinson Vacation
2009—Michael Gunn-Greater Birmingham CVB
2010—Patti Culp-Alabama Travel Council
2011—Judy Ryals-Huntsville/Madison County CVB
2012 – Dana Lee Jennings, Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Assn.
2013 – Tami Reist-Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Assn.
2014 – Hans van der Rejiden-Ithaka Hospitality
2015 – Heiko Enfeld
2016 – Beth Gendler, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
2017 – Tynette Lynch-Aldridge Gardens
2018 – Dr. Deborah Barnhart-U.S. Space & Rocket Center
2019-Steve Cox
2020 – No Award was Presented
2021 – Janet Cobb– U.S.S. Alabama Battleship and Memorial Park
2022-Danielle Gibson – Decatur/Morgan County CVB
2023- Tami Reist – Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourism Association
Tourism Volunteer
1998–Robert Walker, Decatur
1999–Virginia McDorman
Extra Mile Award
2000–National Voting Rights Museum
2001–Fort Gaines
2002–Understudy Dinner Theatre
Media Advocate
2001–Gary Ellis, Compass Media
2002–Lynn Grisard Fullman
2003–Anniston Star
2004-Carol Muse Evans
2005- The Daily Mountain Eagle
2006—Lynn Edge
2007—Rick Harmon-Montgomery Advertiser
2008–John Alex Floyd, Jr.
2009—Raycom Media
2010—Lynn & Milton Fullman
2011—Mary Colurso
2012 – Bob Carlton, al.com
2013 – Alabama Media Group
2014 – Larry Bleiberg
2015 – Kelley Kezek-al.com
2016 – Times Daily Newspaper
2017 – No Award Presented
2018 – Alabama Living Magazine
2019-George W. Stone, editor-in-chief of National Geographic Travel
Kevin West, special correspondent for Travel + Leisure and Departures magazine
Rinne Allen, an accomplished photographer
Brian Jewell, executive editor of The Group Travel Leader, Inc
2020 – Gray Television
2021 – Anderson Cooper– 60 Minutes
2022-Darley Newman – Travels with Darley
2023- Crossroad Marketing, Inc.
Government Advocate
2001–Mayor Eddie Frost, Florence
2002–Mayor Jim Byard, Prattville
2003- Mayor Michael Dow, Mobile
2004—Mayor Bobby Bright, Montgomery
2005—Loretta Spencer
2006—Barnett Lawley
2007—Anthony Petelos
2008—Congressman Artur Davis
2009—Rep. Richard Lindsey
2010—Mayor Todd Strange-Montgomery
2011—Senator Arthur Orr
2012 – Rep. Randy Davis
2013 – No Award Presented
2014 – Mayor Todd Strange-Montgomery
2015 – Mayor George Evans
2016 – Senator Clay Scofield
2017 – Mayor William Bell Sr.
2018 – Congressman Robert Aderholt
2019-Governor Kay Ivey
2020 – Senator Arthur Orr
2021 – Senator Greg Albritton
2022-Senator Clay Scofield
2023-Senator Garlan Gudger
Welcome Center
1998–Alabama Welcome Center
1999–Robert S. Hardy Welcome Center
2000–Sumter Welcome Center
2001–Ardmore Welcome Center
2002–Lanett Welcome Center
2003—Houston Welcome Center
2004—Baldwin Welcome Center
2005—Ardmore Welcome Center
2006—Grand Bay Welcome Center
2007—Grand Bay Welcome Center
2008—Sumter Welcome Center
2009—Sumter Welcome Center
2010—Grand Bay Welcome Center
2011—Cleburne Welcome Center
2012 – Baldwin Welcome Center
2013 – Ardmore Welcome Center
2014 – Lanett Welcome Center
2015 – No Award Presented
2016 – Grand Bay Welcome Center
2017 – Dekalb Welcome Center
2022-Lanett Welcome Center
2023-No Award Given
Welcome Center Employee
2018 – Melinda Edwards – Lanett Welcome Center
2019-Kathy Freeman – Cleburne Welcome Center
2020 – No Award Presented
2021 – Emily White – Grand Bay Welcome Center
2023-Ann Tiller – Houston Welcome Center
ATD Employee
1998–Russell Nolen
1999–Ami Simpson
2000–Marilyn Jones Stamps
2001–Sandy Faulk
2002–Gail Gowen
2003—Beverly Stallings
2004—Sandy Faulk
2006—Richard Grey Brennan
2007—Brian Jones
2008—Thomas Cauthen
2010—Cynthia Flowers
2011—Frances Smiley
2012 – Marilyn Stamps
2013 – No Award Presented
2014 – Pam Smith
2015 – JoJo Terry
2016-Leigh Cross
2017- Scott Burbank
2018 – Rosemary Judkins
2019 – Grey Brennan
2020 – No Award Presented
2021 – Graham Roderick
2022-Rick Harmon
2023-Charlene Anderson
Rising Star
2009—Kalleigh Drake
2010–Christy Elmore
2011—Kayla Riggs
2012 – No Nomination
2013 – Jessica Carlton, Huntsville Madison Co. CVB
2014 – No Award Presented
2015 – Carmen Bishop, Visit Dothan
2016 – Magi Thomley Williams, Poarch Creek Hospitality
2017 – Kim Graham Smith-Greater Birmingham CVB
2018 – Michelle Browder – More Than Tours
2019-Jasmine Rainey – Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports Commission
2020 – Cat Bobo, Auburn/Opelika Tourism
2021 – Loren Powell, OWA
2022-Andrew Felts-Visit Mobile
2023-Keya Nkonoki – Selma & Dallas County CVB
Theme Campaign
2009—Alabama Scenic River Trail
2010—City of Valley & The Cotton Mill Reunion
2011—Alabama State Council on the Arts
2012 – No Award Presented
2013 – No Award Presented
2014 – No Award Presented
2015 – #iHeart-Huntsville
2016 – Mobile ‘Born to Celebrate’
2017 – The McWane Center-The Equation
2018 – The U. S. Civil Rights Trail
2019-North Alabama Waterfall Trail
2020 – No Award Presented
2021 – Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism “Worth the Wait”
2022-No Award Presented
2023-Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism “Book Today, Beach Tomorrow”
Lifetime Achievement Award
2013-Edward O. Buckbee-U.S. Space & Rocket Center
2017 Pedro Mandoki-Mandoki Hospitality
2018 – Judy S. Ryals-Huntsville/Madison Co. CVB
2018 – Patti Culp-Alabama Travel Council
2019-Jim Inscoe-Jasmine Gardens
2021 – Herb Malone– Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
2022-Eva Golson-Mobile Film Office
2023-No Award Given
Entertainment Ambassador of the Year
2021 – Myk Watford
Small Town Promotion
2021 – Wetumpka, AL
Legislator of the Year
2013 – Rep. Steve McMillan, Sen Trip Pittman
Hotelier of the Year
2013 – Larry Bowser – Marriott Shoals
Leadership Award
2018 – Dr. David Bronner
State Partnership Award
2018 – Alabama Dept. of Transportation (ALDOT)
Tourism Employee of the Year
2019-Frank Tyson