alabama governor's conference on tourism

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VISIT TUSCALOOSA AND PARTNERS TO HOST STATE’S SIGNATURE HOSPITALITY & TOURISM CONFERENCE

Tourism leaders, hospitality partners and elected officials from across the state of Alabama will converge in Tuscaloosa for the highly anticipated 2024 Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism, scheduled to take place at the Bryant Conference Center and Hotel Capstone from July 27-30, 2024.

The event, hosted by Visit Tuscaloosa and Alabama Travel Council, in partnership with the Alabama Tourism Department, is expected to draw approximately 250 attendees, including representatives from statewide attractions, hotels, convention and visitors bureaus, marketing firms, and other hospitality professionals. Programming will provide informational and educational sessions along with a platform for networking and collaboration on strategies to elevate tourism in the state.

Kelsey Rush, President and CEO of Visit Tuscaloosa, emphasized the significance of the conference, stating, “Tourism is not only vital to our economy but also serves as a vehicle for showcasing the unique culture, heritage and hospitality of Tuscaloosa. The Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism presents an exceptional opportunity for us to highlight our city’s attractions and amenities while fostering collaboration within the industry.”

The full agenda for the programming will be announced in coming weeks.

“We are thrilled to welcome our tourism peers from across the state to experience firsthand the warmth and hospitality for which Tuscaloosa is renowned,” added Rush.

In addition to the conference sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to partake in a special welcome reception at The Zone, experience the Bryant Museum, and will have the opportunity to discover the charm and allure of Tuscaloosa outside of conference hours. The conference also serves as an opportunity for the Alabama Association of DMO’s to raise money for in-state college scholarships, which will be awarded during the conference.

In 2023, the travel and tourism industry, which includes leisure and group visitors, was responsible for more than 10,400 jobs in Tuscaloosa County. The 2.8 million visitors also pumped a record-breaking $999.5 million into the local economy.

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Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism, July 17-30, 2024, Tuscaloosa’s Hotel Capstone and Bryant Conference Center

This conference provides tourism professionals a chance to gather and learn about the economic impact of the industry on the alabama economy, learn new strategies for marketing local alabama attractions and amenities to visitors, raise money for scholarships through silent auctions and to celebrate achievements. registration link . .

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Tuscaloosa to Host State Leaders During Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism

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Leaders from all over Alabama will gather in Tuscaloosa later this summer for the 2024 Alabama Governor's Conference on Tourism to talk about how to improve the multi-billion-dollar business of drawing visitors to our state.

The event has been held annually for more than a decade at sites across Alabama, and this year's iteration will be co-hosted here by Visit Tuscaloosa and the Alabama Travel Council at the Bryant Conference Center.

The conference is scheduled for July 27th through the 30th and will see leaders from the tourism and hospitality industries join elected officials to learn, network and strategize while also seeing some of what's on offer here in the Druid City.

A spokesperson for Visit Tuscaloosa said the event is expected to draw around 250 attendees.

"Tourism is not only vital to our economy but also serves as a vehicle for showcasing the unique culture, heritage and hospitality of Tuscaloosa, said Kelsey Rush, President and CEO of Visit Tuscaloosa. "The Alabama Governor's Conference on Tourism presents an exceptional opportunity for us to highlight our city's attractions and amenities while fostering collaboration within the industry."

Rush shared figures showing just how big a business tourism is for Tuscaloosa, saying 10,400 people work in tourism and hospitality in the County and nearly 3 million visitors pumped $1 billion into the local economy in 2023 alone.

"We are thrilled to welcome our tourism peers from across the state to experience firsthand the warmth and hospitality for which Tuscaloosa is renowned," Rush said.

For more on the conference as details are released, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.

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Gallery Credit: (Stephen Dethrage | Tuscaloosa Thread)

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Tuscaloosa to host governor's conference on tourism this summer, tuscaloosa will be the host site for the 2024 alabama governor's conference on tourism this summer..

Ryan Phillips , Patch Staff

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Visit Tuscaloosa on Wednesday announced that Tuscaloosa will be the host site for the 2024 Alabama Governor's Conference on Tourism this summer.

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The event, which will be hosted by Visit Tuscaloosa and the Alabama Travel Council, will be held at the Bryant Conference Center and Hotel Capstone from July 27-30.

Find out what's happening in Tuscaloosa with free, real-time updates from Patch.

The event will also be held in partnership with the Alabama Tourism Department and is expected to draw approximately 250 attendees, including representatives from statewide attractions, hotels, convention and visitors bureaus, marketing firms, and other hospitality professionals.

Kelsey Rush, president and CEO of Visit Tuscaloosa said tourism is not only vital to the local and state economy but also serves as a vehicle for showcasing the culture, heritage and hospitality of Tuscaloosa.

"The Alabama Governor's Conference on Tourism presents an exceptional opportunity for us to highlight our city's attractions and amenities while fostering collaboration within the industry," she said. "We are thrilled to welcome our tourism peers from across the state to experience firsthand the warmth and hospitality for which Tuscaloosa is renowned."

Visit Tuscaloosa said a full agenda for the programming will be announced in the coming weeks.

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Mobile’s Tourism Success Honored at Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism

Friday, January 7, 2022 9:00 AM by Andrew Felts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Mobile’s Tourism Success Honored at Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism

Mobile, Ala (Jan. 7, 2022)  — Several Mobile area organizations and individuals were honored at the Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism awards ceremony at The Lodge at Gulf State Park on Thursday, January 6, 2022. 

The conference provides tourism professionals from around the state a chance to gather and learn about the economic impact of the tourism industry on Alabama’s economy, learn new strategies for marketing attractions and amenities to visitors, raise money for scholarships for collegiate hospitality students throughout the state and to celebrate achievements! 

"Congratulations to our Mobile area winners for their tremendous leadership. While the last two years have been the most challenging times the travel and tourism industry has ever experienced, we celebrate the success of these individuals and teams. We appreciate the hard work of our stakeholders in going above and beyond to elevate Mobile as a premier travel destination and are excited about Mobile’s bright future,” said David Clark, president and CEO of Visit Mobile.

Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism  Mobile Area Award Winners:

Attraction of the Year - Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center is the Attraction of the Year. For more than 35 years, the center has been cultivating and engaging curious minds since its opening in 1983. Today, it continues to promote science learning through its programs and IMAX theater at its state-of-the-art facility. From exhibits about dinosaurs and the body to terrariums and Genghis Khan, the Exploreum continues to offer hands-on and up-close ways to educate, entertain and inspire generations.

Tourism Executive of the Year - Major General (Ret.) Janet Cobb, USS ALABAMA Major General (Ret.) Janet Cobb is executive director of the U.S.S. Alabama Battleship Memorial Park and the Tourism Executive of the Year. A native of Elberta, Alabama, Cobb graduated from Foley High School in 1974. She was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Signal Corps in May 1978 from The University of Alabama ROTC program, where she was named a Distinguished Military Graduate and was the first female officer to graduate from The University of Alabama. Major Cobb’s 42 years in the military includes leadership roles in Kuwait, the Netherlands and Washington, D.C. Her decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3) and various campaign and service awards. Maj. Gen. Cobb holds a J.D. from Cumberland School of Law, Samford University; an M.S.S. from the United States Army War College and a B.A. from The University of Alabama. In April 2017, Cobb was one of seven selectees for the inaugural University of Alabama ROTC Hall of Fame. She is member of the Mobile Bay Area Veterans Day Commission Board of Trustees and serves on the Veterans Initiative Advisory Council of the Community Foundation of South Alabama. is the Attraction of the Year. For more than 35 years, the center has been cultivating and engaging curious minds since its opening in 1983. Today, it continues to promote science learning through its programs and IMAX theater at its state-of-the-art facility. From exhibits about dinosaurs and the body to terrariums and Genghis Khan, the Exploreum continues to offer hands-on and up-close ways to educate, entertain and inspire generations.

Tourism Employee of the Year - Patty Kieffer Patty Kieffer is the Tourism Employee of the Year. Kieffer has been with Visit Mobile for 20 years and has served in leadership roles such as Senior National Sales Manager and Director of Leisure Sales & Events before she was promoted to Vice President of Leisure Tourism in December 2020. Throughout her tenure, Kieffer has excelled in cultivating relationships with travel agents and business development managers in the Cruise Industry, International and Domestic Group Tour Operators as well as the local attraction community.

Tourism Partnership of the Year Award - Visit Mobile The Africatown Collaborative, Alabama Historical Commission, City of Mobile, Mobile County, Savannah College of Art & Design and Visit Mobile are the recipients of the Tourism Partnership of the Year Award. In 2019, international headlines resounded with news about the identification of the hull of a wooden ship found along the Mobile River. At last, the more than 150-year-old mystery about the fate of the Clotilda had been uncovered. The infamous ship was the last known to have brought enslaved Africans to the United States decades after their international trafficking had been federally prohibited. The ship’s identity and announcement set off a chain of events galvanizing partnerships with a shared vision to tell the stories of Africatown and the Clotilda survivors; and support the preservation work needed to carry both into the future for generations to come. As the world prepares to make the pilgrimage to Africatown, local leaders, state agencies and other entities have banded together to craft and execute plans for the revitalization of the community. Early fruits of their labor include a documentary film, the forthcoming Africatown Heritage House, and the Africatown Welcome Center, along with developing tours and experiences in Africatown.

Welcome Center Employee of the Year - Emily White  Emily White is a Tourist Promotion Representative with the Grand Bay Welcome Center. She has enjoyed helping guests plan their time in the state for the past nine years and is a certified Customer Service Specialist from Faulkner University. White loves sharing information about the rich history, attractions and amazing dining experiences that Alabama has to offer. She is a loving wife and a proud mother of three beautiful children: Avalyn, Chloe and Owen. When she is not at work, White volunteers at her church, teaches Bible study classes for teenagers in her community and enjoys performing music for community events. 

Tourism Advocate Media of the Year Award - Anderson Cooper In addition to these Mobile area awards, the Tourism Advocate Media of the Year Award was given to Anderson Cooper, CNN anchor and "60 Minutes" host, for his coverage of the Clotilda story and Africatown experience. His support has brought international recognition to the descendants and the community and helped bolster a path towards reconciliation.

About Visit Mobile: Visit Mobile is the official destination marketing organization charged with attracting visitors and conventions to the Mobile area. To learn more about our historic destination and find out why Mobile is the city that’s Born to Celebrate, visit  mobile.org . This convention and visitors bureau is an accredited Destination International Marketing Organization. 

Author: Andrew Felts

As the Communications & Public Relations Manager at Visit Mobile, Andrew actively promotes the iconic destination to international and domestic media. When he's not hosting a press trip around the city, you are likely to find him at community events or traveling and exploring various cultures and cuisine.

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Modern ecotourism could unlock new Black Belt boom, report finds

This story is part of a partnership between the Montgomery Advertiser and the Living Democracy program at Auburn University . Now in its 13th year, the program disperses students across rural Alabama to spend 10 weeks learning more about the inner workings of the community and writing about what they observe.

CAMDEN − Biking, birding, hiking and other ecotourism opportunities in Alabama’s Black Belt hold much promise, according to a report by  Costas Christ and Associates .

The report noted that ecotourism rooted in authenticity and local community experiences remains one of the fastest-growing tourism sectors, especially with the Millennial and Gen Z demographics. Released this spring after consultations with local community stakeholders, the report provides a road map for improving that kind of ecotourism.

Costas Christ and Associates, a firm providing services in sustainable tourism planning, defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that protect nature and sustains the well-being of local people.” “Ecotourism is about ensuring the economic benefits of nature-based travel directly benefit local communities and advance the conservation of biodiversity and natural resources in tangible ways," Christ said.

Calling Mobile and Montgomery important “gateway cities to the Black Belt with unique offerings in ecotourism and civil rights history,” the Costas Christ report suggested developing partnerships that could “unlock the region’s full potential to become a nationally and internationally recognized travel destination.”

Candace Johnson, director of Tourism and Community Development at the University of Alabama, underscored the potential. “The Black Belt has a history of stories and experiences that can be built upon,” she said.

“... Outdoor recreation is something that Alabama hangs its hat on already. Roland Cooper State Park on the Alabama River is an example of a place that can be expanded with more lodging so that people can come and play and stay longer. It is part of the Alabama Birding Trail and a great hub for exploring the Black Belt in Camden.”

Specific action items in the ecotourism report recommend upgrading Roland Cooper, including establishing kayak and canoe tours and expanding nature trails as well as connecting ecotourism activities with cultural heritage and nature-based tourism experiences at nearby Gee’s Bend and Camden.

More: Cuts and 'cat faces': In rural Alabama, a community's history is soaked in turpentine

The report also recommended connecting the site of the  Old Cahawba Archaeological Park  and Selma by developing and maintaining biking and hiking trails along with guided ecotourism tours.

It noted that improving the two canoe and kayak ramps at the confluence of the Cahaba and Alabama rivers could make Old Cahawba an “important launching and docking point for expanded river recreation through ecotours connected to Selma and the Black Belt.”

Numerous other action items focused on areas ranging from the  MOWA Choctaw Ecotourism Park and Museum  to improvements at the  Joe Farm , a nationally recognized Black Belt birding destination. 

“Ecotourism gives back to the three key pillars: nature, culture, and community,” said Nina Boys, vice president of sustainability at  Beyond Green Travel , a touring company launched by Christ. Boys noted that the Black Belt’s culture and stories are pivotal to creating meaningful travel experiences.

“Ultimately, what people look for when they travel are immersive experiences where they can learn and experience different ways of life," Boys said. "Specifically, the richness and depth of stories within the Black Belt are among the region’s greatest assets.

“... Many stories are rooted in hardship and challenge; there's so much resilience, nuance and complexity. There is such a drive in the tourism market for experiences like that to open your mind.”

More: 'International experience': Alabama foundation invests in life-changing projects

Camden, nestled in the heart of the Black Belt, offers several notable tourist spots to dive deeper in those stories, including historical architecture such as the Wilcox Female Institute and antebellum homes.

The Black Belt Treasures Cultural Arts Center showcases vibrant art by artists from across the Black Belt. Betty Anderson’s Shoe Shop and Quilt Museum also provides a glimpse into local history and culture, making it a must-visit for those exploring the town.

These cultural experiences add to the outdoor recreation opportunities drawing more and more tourists to the area.

The report concluded, “By emphasizing conservation efforts, protection of cultural heritage and historic sites, and community engagement, tourism can serve as a catalyst for economic development in this region of Alabama.”     

Naomi Taylor , a Living Democracy  student at Auburn University, is living and learning this summer in Camden, Alabama, as a Jean O'Connor Snyder Intern with the David Mathews Center for Civic Life. The nonprofit program, coordinated by the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities in the College of Liberal Arts, prepares undergraduate college students for civic life through living-learning experiences in the summer .

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Governor’s Tourism Conference returning to Las Vegas after hiatus

After a four-year shutdown because of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the Governor’s Conference on Tourism is returning to Las Vegas’ Rio hotel-casino in October.

The Governor’s Conference on Tourism, a two-day gathering of tourism leaders, will return in October this year after a four-year hiatus, Travel Nevada, the state’s branded destination marketing organization announced.

This year’s conference is scheduled Oct. 29-30 at the Rio in Las Vegas.

Overseen by the Nevada Commission on Tourism headed by Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony, the annual conference was discontinued in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic shutdown.

For years, the conference alternated between Las Vegas and Reno in December or November with attendees meeting with state leaders to discuss issues involving tourism.

This year, the event’s theme is “Hospitality the Nevada Way” and topic discussions will include sustainable travel, transportation in the Silver State and using technology in the traveler journey. Speakers will include Zeek Coleman, vice president-Americas, of Wayne, Pennsylvania-based Tourism Economics Inc. and Brice Esplin of Leave No Trace, an outdoor education non-profit.

Tourism is an important piece of Nevada’s economy generating an economic impact of $83.7 billion in 2023 and accounting for 21 percent of all state jobs.

Contact Richard N. Velotta at [email protected] or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on X.

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The bi-weekly podcast has a solid rhythm of news items, inside jokes and Vintage Vegas nostalgia that draw thousands of listeners craving more from the destination.

The mixed-use attraction featuring 600-foot twin towers on a 10-acre lot south of Fontainebleau also will have a 439-foot amusement ride and a swimming pool local residents will be able to use.

Alabama Tourism Department

The official site for industry professionals, category archives: alabama governor’s conference, tourism tuesdays july 30, 2019.

July 30, 2019

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July 5, 2018

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ALABAMA TOURISM DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTER JUNE 18, 2013

June 19, 2013

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