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Linda Vice named state's tourism employee of year
Vice, of Thomasville, works with 17 counties to develop tourism in rural southwest Alabama. She has been involved in the development and growth of the organization since its inception in 2002. Her nomination stated, "The Tombigbee Tourism initiatives have everyone talking about the potential that small and rural communities can have for economic development." She is a member of the Tourism Committee in the Governor's Black Belt Action Commission and actively promotes Black Belt Treasures, a non-profit gallery showcasing the arts, crafts, literature, food and music of the region. In her efforts to promote the region, she has been quoted by the Wall Street Journal and interviewed on National Public Radio. She developed a promotional video, which has been nominated for two national awards. She was selected an Alabama Community Scholar in 2004 and has been chosen to attend both the state and national "Your Town" programs fostered by the National Endowment for the Arts. She has been active in her community, having been appointed to boards and commissions by three governors. She has been a member of Leadership Alabama since 1991, a founding co-chair of the National Heritage Corridor Study Commission, a District Officer in the Lion's Club, and a former Rotary Group Study Exchange team member to Hong Kong, China, and Macao. Vice said her career in the tourism industry brings her joy. Referring to a famous line from the book Auntie Mame in which the lead character says, "Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death," Vice said, "Working with tourism has been a fun way to enjoy the banquet." The award that was presented is among 12 that comprise the Alabama Tourism Awards. These awards, first presented in 1998, annually honor outstanding achievements in Alabama's tourism industry. Each award winner is recognized as a key player in making tourism a strong economic force in the state.
The tourism industry contributes $8.3 billion to Alabama's economy and supports 162,688 jobs statewide.
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