Decatur, Ala. – The Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA) has honored Ms. Kathy Marko with the 2016 Northern Star Award. The award is among 11 that comprise the PEAK Awards that will be presented Thursday, September 22 during the AMLA Annual Meeting at Marriott Shoals Conference Center in Florence, Ala.
Representing the highest achievement in North Alabama tourism, the PEAK Awards honor individuals and organizations that have had a major impact on tourism in North Alabama. History tells us that tourism really began by the navigation of the stars. The Northern Star Award is presented to an individual, such as a ranger, guide, and a front line employee, who has gone “above and beyond” expectations.
As director of the Cherokee County Historical Museum, Marko works tirelessly to bring visitors to the museum and Cherokee County while preserving the past of Cherokee County. In addition to maintaining the historical artifacts, photos and folk art on display, she plans and organizes a variety of events including member appreciation movie night, arts and craft classes, and collectors’ shows.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we congratulate all winners of the 2016 PEAK Awards,” said Tami Reist, President/CEO of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association. “Their efforts to showcase our region as a premier tourist destination have not gone unnoticed and these awards give us an opportunity to publicly thank the recipients for their continuous hard work and contribution to North Alabama’s $2 billion tourism industry.”
The full list of awards and winners is as follows:
- Organization of the Year – Evelyn Burrow Museum
- Event of the Year – Downtown Decatur 3rd Friday
- Attraction of the Year – Jesse Owens Memorial Park
- Good Neighbor Award – LaRue Kohl, KFC franchise owner
- Northern Star Award – Kathy Marko
- Young Professional of the Year Award – Kathryn Balch, Colbert County Tourism and Convention
Bureau
- Tourism Professional of the Year – Don Dukemineer, Huntsville/Madison County Convention and
Visitors Bureau
- Lasting Impression Award – Lamar Pendergrass, Alabama State Parks
- Chairman’s Cup – Ron Presley, author and freelance outdoor writer
- President’s Award – Dr. Kenji Hamada, retired optometrist and humanitarian, Rep. Johnny Mack
Morrow and Dr. Martha Morrow
- Legacy Award – 2016 Forrest L. Wood Cup
Note: Photos of award recipients are available upon request by calling AMLA at 800.648.5381 or by sending an email to angie@northalabama.org.
About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)
AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state. It is supported by 500-plus members consisting of chambers of commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, attractions, campgrounds, festivals, communities, counties, golf courses, restaurants, tour operators, accommodations, vendors, financial institutions and individuals. Counties included within the AMLA region are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston. Additional information on North Alabama destinations, accommodations and special events is available from AMLA by calling 800.648.5381 or by visiting their web site at www.NorthAlabama.org.
