The AL/MS/TN Rural Tourism Conference rotates its annual conference between the three states that make up the association. In 2018, Alabama is the state for the conference and on Friday, June 2, the association announced Gadsden as the site of the conference on October 22-24, 2018.
Recognizing that tourism is vital to a community’s economic development, the AL/MS/TN Rural Tourism Conference is a collaborative effort focused on assisting smaller communities in bolstering tourism. Dynamic speakers will present innovative ideas and relevant information that attendees will find useful in facing the unique challenges of promoting rural tourism with limited budgets. Anyone with an interest in rural tourism is invited to attend.
11 communities in the state submitted proposals several months ago and 3 were chosen to make presentations in person at the June 2 meeting of the conference location committee in Tuscaloosa. The three finalists were Decatur, Gadsden, and Auburn-Opelika.
Greater Gadsden Area Tourism executive director Hugh Stump said they were sure they had a strong proposal. "We have such great partners with the City of Gadsden, our area hotels, our attractions, and our local food vendors that we knew we could make a proposal with a low cost per attendee to the conference organizer, thus saving them money and making it easier for tourism officials from the smaller communities able to afford to come."
Over 100 tourism officials will spend time exploring Noccalula Falls Park, meeting at the Pitman Theater and enjoying receptions at Back Forty Beer Company and the Gadsden Museum of Art. Tami Brooks, with Brooks Consulting Services, LLC helped build the itinerary- "Tourism people are fun-oriented and after a long day of learning and networking, they'll get to spend some fun time at the Museum creating small mural art and at Back Forty, tasting the beers and taking a tour!"
The 2017 conference will be at Pickwick Landing State Park in TN Oct. 23-25, 2017.
For additional information:
Tom Chestnutt, 334-221-3517