About Us
The Florence/Lauderdale Tourism board was created in December of 1994 by the Florence City Council and Lauderdale County Commission.
Tourism Staff
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Debbie Wilson , Director - Florence/Lauderdale Tourism
A native of Lauderdale County, Debbie is a graduate of Wilson High School and the University of North Alabama in 1983. Debbie worked as a journalist in radio news at WQLT radio in Florence for several years after graduating from UNA.
Wilson has several years experience in the hospitality industry. She was assistant to the Director of Marketing at The Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles for 3 years before returning to Florence in 1993. Debbie handled marketing activities at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame for a year before signing on as Tourism Director in Florence.
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Tourism activities were previously handled by the Shoals Chamber of Commerce but as tourism as increased substantially in recent years, city and county leaders moved to create a Tourism Board as a separate entity. The original Tourism Committee hired Debbie as the Director in December of 1994.
Under Debbie’s leadership and marketing skills, the lodging revenues for Lauderdale County have doubled in just six years and are still on the rise today. The North Alabama Tourist Association named Florence/Lauderdale Tourism, “Tourism Organization of the Year” in 2001 and Debbie received the honor of the being named “Tourism Professional of Year” in 2002. Florence/Lauderdale Tourism was named Southeast Tourism Society’s CVB of the Year in 2007.
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Alison Stanfield, Assistant Director - Florence/Lauderdale Tourism
A native of Florence, Alison graduated from Coffee High School and the University of North Alabama. She began working at Florence/Lauderdale Tourism in June of 1995 and is currently the Assistant Director.
Alison handles a large part of the tourism operations including accounting, media relations, development of marketing materials and supervisor of the internship program. She coordinates the walking tours of historic Florence and works with organizers of various events such as W.C. Handy Music Festival, Renaissance Faire and Global Culture Night at UNA. Alison was named “Tourism Employee of the Year” in 2003 by the Alabama Bureau of the Tourism & Travel.
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Outside of the Tourism office, Alison serves as the President for the philanthropic sorority for women, Zeta Chi and is a member of the Underwood Sports Complex board of directors. She has been married to David for 18 years and has two boys ages 8 and 5.
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Lindsey Holt, Sports & Travel Marketing Manager
A native of Vero Beach, Florida, Lindsey is a graduate of Vero Beach High School and the University of North Alabama where she received a degree in Biology.
Lindsey has lived in the Shoals for the past five years, and has worked for the Florence/Lauderdale Tourism Bureau in various capacities for the past three years. She currently serves as website and sports marketing coordinator. Lindsey received the 2008 Green Apple Award for Young Professional of the Years from Alabama Mountain Lakes Association.
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Outside the tourism office, Lindsey is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity, ESA International Civic Sorority, and Florence Civitan. She serves on the Florence Civitan board and is a member of the Shoals National Championship Marketing Committee. She and her husband reside in Florence.
Beth Greenwood, Special Events/Convention Services
Pat Willingham, Information Specialist
Vinamrata Gupta, University of NorthAlabama MBA Intern
Mission Statement
The purpose of the Board shall be to market, advertise and promote Florence and Lauderdale County, Alabama as a tourist destination, as well as, a meeting and convention center.
This primary objective shall be accomplished by soliciting conferences, individual, corporate and group visitors, and through the promotion of our special attractions and overall resources of the region.
The Board shall further attempt to expand tourism through the support of educational, cultural, recreational, civic and social activities that enhance the perception of this area by showcasing its hospitality and natural beauty.
The overall intent of this mission is to strengthen the economic foundation for all citizens of Lauderdale County.
Board of Directors
The five-member board includes two members appointed by the Florence City Council, two members appointed by the Lauderdale County Commission and one member appointed jointly by the Council and Commission. The members serve four-year terms.
County Appointments
- Chairman: Selton Killen
- Chris Bishop
City Appointments
- Vice Chairman: Ernest Haygood
- Secretary/Treasurer: Jim Bevis
Joint Appointment
- Bill Hunt
Please contact us for board of directors contact information.