About Us

Debbie Wilson , Director - Florence/Lauderdale Tourism

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1-888-356-8687
One Hightower Place
Florence, AL 35630

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.

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.

Alison Stanfield, Assistant Director - Florence/Lauderdale Tourism

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One Hightower Place
Florence, AL 35630
1-888-356-8687

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. 

Outside of the Tourism office, Alison is a member of 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 21 years and has two boys ages 11 and 8.

Libby Jordan, Director of Cultural Tourism

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A native of Florence, AL, Libby joined the staff of Florence-Lauderdale Tourism in 2010. A graduate of the University of South Alabama with a degree in Geology, Libby worked as a petroleum geologist in Oklahoma before moving back to Florence in the early 90’s. Changing professions, she was Senior Project Manager for Tomlinson-Sims Advertising for 6 years before moving to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail where she opened the two courses at The Shoals and served as Director of Sales and Marketing for 7 years.

Libby is heavily involved in local issues serving as chairman of various non-profit boards and civic organizations. Her passion is the improvement and promotion of public libraries, museums, and cultural awareness. She served as chairman of the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library when the new $7 million building was planned and constructed.

Libby currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Florence Unlimited, and Florence Main Street. She also serves on the University of North Alabama’s Board of Trustees being appointed by Governor Bob Riley in 2009.

As Director of Cultural Tourism for Florence-Lauderdale Tourism, Libby markets and promotes museums, cultural, and heritage events. She works with Travel Writers promoting the area and is project manager for the new Visitor’s Center currently in the planning stages.

Pat Willingham, Information Specialist

Suzie Shoemaker, Sports Marketing and Special Events Planner - Florence/Lauderdale Tourism

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One Hightower Place
Florence, AL 35630
1-888-356-8687

A native of Tuscumbia, Alabama, Suzie is a graduate of Deshler High School and the University of North Alabama where she received a degree in Speech Communications and Theatre.

Suzie is the Sports Marketing and Special Events Planner at Florence/Lauderdale Tourism.

Outside the tourism office, Suzie serves on the Florence First Fridays, Shoals Earth Day Fest, Keep the Shoals Beautiful, Shoals National Championship & Alabama Renaissance Faire committees. Suzie’s daughter, Rebekah is a student at The University of North Alabama.

Florence/Lauderdale Tourism Board Meeting Policy

The Alabama Open Meetings Act requires that Florence/Lauderdale Tourism board meetings be open to the public.  The notice of regular business meetings will be posted at least seven days in advance.  Notice of special called meetings will be posted as soon as the information is available, however, a one-day notice is all that is required.  Emergency meetings will also be posted as soon as the information is available, however, a one-hour notice is all that is required.  The notice of all meetings will be posted on the Florence/Lauderdale Tourism Board website at www.VisitFlorenceAL.com under the Media and About Us sections.  If you wish to be notified via phone or email on a monthly basis, please submit the request in writing.

The Florence/Lauderdale Tourism Board conducts regular business meetings the second Thursday of each month at 9:00 a.m. In the event that a quorum will not be present at the regular set meeting date and time, the meeting will be rescheduled.  A notice of the reschedule date and time will be posted on the website.

The location of the meeting will be held within the Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa complex.  The exact meeting location varies based on space availability and will be posted as soon as it is assigned.

Next Meeting Schedule:

March 7, 2012 9:00 a.m.

 Location: TBA

If you need additional information, please contact the Florence/Lauderdale Tourism at 256-740-414 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.