2025 RTC Program

AL - MS - TN Rural Tourism Conference October 20 - 22, 2025 Welcome to

Thank you Sponsors

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FRIENDS OF RTC

MORNING EXCURSION, OCTOBER 20

Rooted In Faith And Field

Host: ANGIE PIERCE (256) 777-031

10:00 A.M.bus departure – 1:00 P.M. arrival back to Alabama Veterans Museum

A tour highlighting the churches and agriculture from the Hallelujah Trail and the Agri-Trail. Included are: First Presbyterian Church, Athens First Methodist Church, Isom’s Orchard, and 1818 Farms in Mooresville.

Rooted In Nature: Marbut Bend

Host: STEPHANIE REYNOLDS (256) 529-7758

10:00 A.M.bus departure – 1:00 P.M. arrival back to Alabama Veterans Museum

Marbut Bend Accessible Trail is a cooperative project between the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Limestone County Commission. The park was purposefully created to be accessible featuring compacted crush walkways and wooden bridges.

Rooted In History : Columns & Culture

Self-guided

10:00 A.M. departure – 1:00 P.M. Pick up your brochure at the Veteran’s Museum. The tour starts at the Tourism Office at 100 N Beaty Street

This incredible, self-guided tour will guide you through the streets and stories of Athens and Limestone County. Follow the map in our Columns & Culture Brochure. On the back of the brochure is the link to our Soundcloud presentation of the history each building on the tour. (This is also a Pokemon Go route if you like to gamify your historical touring!)

Proudley supporting hundreds of small towns and communities across the state!

Rooted In Creativity

AFTERNOON EXCURSION, OCTOBER 20

Host: TERE RICHARDSON, Athens Main Street Executive Director

2:15 P.M. – 4:15 P.M. Arrival and departure from Alabama Veterans Musuem

Join us for a tour with the creative history of art and storytelling on the square.

Rooted In Enterprise

Self-guided

Start: Flexible. Ends at 4:15

Bring your $5.00 voucher and your BINGO card and shop and celebrate the charm, character, and creativity of an award winning Mainstreet downtown. You will discover unique stores, local artisans, and hidden treasures while fostering community pride.

Rooted In History: Columns & Culture

Self-guided

Start: Flexible. Ends at 4:15 Pick up your brochure at the Veteran’s Museum. The tour starts at the Tourism Office at 100 N Beaty Street

This incredible, self-guided tour will guide you through the streets and stories of Athens and Limestone. Follow the map in our Columns & Culture Brochure. On the back of the brochure is the link to our Soundcloud presentation of the history of each building on the tour. (This is also a Pokemon Go route if you like to gamify your historical touring!)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3 through

$47,350 in CASH PRIZES for the top eight contestants in each category

ALABAMA STATE FIDDLE CHAMPION crowned; top competition winners in 14 categories named ALABAMA STATE CHAMPIONS

Dozens of FOOD VENDORS and 150+ local ARTS & CRAFTS VENDORS

An Alabama Black Belt Adventure Gift Guide

OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION

Sponsored by

Athens Farmers Market at Doug Gates Park

409 W. Green Street, Athens, AL 35611

4:30 – 6:00 P.M. (Come and Go)

*Kick off the conference with good food, local flavor, and great company! Pick up your beer on the way to Stews & Brews at Irons & Ales (217 S. Madison Street, Athens, AL 35611), then take a short stroll to the Athens Farmers Market to enjoy your stews and great conversations.

Main Street Dessert Dine Around

6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Launchbox 121 S Marion Street

Walk Over Patriot Party Ready To Celebrate America’s 250th

8:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M. Located in front of the Limestone County Courthouse located on the east side.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21

Conference Registration Opens - 7:30 A.M.

Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives

114 Pryor Street SW Athens, AL 35611

Morning Excursion Option: Sign up to walk the Swan Creek Trail with Stephanie Reynolds. This event will start at 6:30 A.M. and will be a short 30-45 minute walk.

Welcome Remarks, National Anthem, and Pledge of Allegiance- 8:30 – 9:00 A.M.

Jerome Malone, Oasis Church

Trisa Collier, Alabama Welcome Center Administrator

Tami Reist, President & CEO, Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association

Mayor Ronnie Marks, City of Athens

Collin Daly, Chairman, Limestone County Commission

The Generation Stories: From Roots to Branches - 9:00 - 10:00 A.M.

Kristin Scroggin, Owner & Lead Consultant, genWHY Communications

Intro of Vendors & Vendor Break - 10:00 - 10:30 A.M.

Branching Out With New Growth - 10:30 – 11:00 A.M.

Marty Marbry, Retired Tennessee Department of Tourist Development

From Words to Action - 11:00 - 11:45 A.M.

A Conversation with State Representative Andy Whitt

Lunch and Entertainment Catered by Ro’s Grill - 11:45 - 1:00 P.M.

Athens Hee Haw Gang featuring Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks

Wayne Kuykendall, Storytelling Festival

Bil Lepp, Master Storyteller

Pushing Forward: Turning Afternoon Slumps into Success - 1:00 - 1:50 P.M.

Dr. Elizabeth Bowden, Director of Teacher Education Services and Certification, Athens State University

Revive the Heartbeat: Breathing Life into Downtown - 1:50 - 2:40 P.M.

Tere Richardson, Athens Main Street Executive Director Vendor Break – 2:40 - 3:00 P.M.

Tourism ALL-a-bama: Accessible Tourism - 3:00 - 4:15 P.M.

Leslie Walker, Owner, Leslie Walker Consulting Shop on the Square – 4:15 - 6:00 P.M.

Using $5.00 Tourism Bucks located in your Conference bag.

Dinner and Reception - 6:30 - 10:00 P.M.

The Lofton, 701 Lofton Hall Road, Ardmore, Tennessee

Enjoy an evening of entertainment by The Limestoners at The Lofton, a serene 36-acre venue that perfectly blends elegance with Southern charm.

Announcements and Agnes Zaiontz Award - 8:30 - 8:45 A.M.

Unboxed: Embracing New Perspectives 8:45 - 9:35 A.M.

Tami Reist, CEO, Alabama Mountain Lakes

Vendor Break - 9:35 - 9:50 A.M.

Stronger Together: Building Bonds That Last - 9:50 - 10:35 A.M.

Jason Parks, President & CEO of The Parks Group, LLC

Pitch Contest - 10:35 - 11:05 A.M.

Final Announcements- 11:05 - 12:00 P.M.

Evaluation Forms – Drawing for $100 Pitch Winners

Shop Bingo Drawing Vendor Bingo Drawing

Spirit Pull and Silent Auction Results Announce 2026 Location

Adjourn - 12:00 P.M.

Thank you for sharing your time with us!

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22 Capture Moment!the

Don’t forget to take photos throughout the conference and share your experience on social media using #ExploreAthensALWe love seeing your favorite moments and connections

Vendor List

Welcome Exhibitors

WEDO Media

Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce

Alabama Mountain Lakes

Chandlerthinks, LLC

XPLR.NASH

Kellum Creek Business Solutions

Flawless Delivery

Good Sign Design Co

Flirty Flame Candle Co, LLC

Don’t forget to play

BINGO!

Compass Media

Locable

Southeast All Terrain Chairs

Holistic Performance Group

StyleBlueprint

Greenwood Convention and Visitors Bureau

Your Town Alabama

Department of Agriculture

TRV Stewardship Council

Mayor William R. “Ronnie” Marks City of Athens Mayor

Mayor Ronnie Marks has served as Mayor of Athens since November 3, 2010, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the City and Athens Utilities. Prior to his mayoral role, he served on the Athens City Council from 1982–1986 and again from 2004–2010. In 2012, he founded the Athens Mayor’s Youth Commission to educate high school students about local government and civic engagement through hands-on experiences and community projects.

Before entering city leadership, Mayor Marks built a distinguished career with the Alabama Department of Human Resources, retiring as Regional Manager after more than 25 years of service. A U.S. Army and Alabama National Guard veteran, he earned the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in Vietnam. Mayor Marks holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee and a Bachelor of Science from the University of North Alabama.

A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Elizabeth Bowden serves as the Director of Teacher Education Services and Certification at Athens State University. With more than 25 years of experience in higher education, she has dedicated her career to training students, faculty, and community members in career and leadership development across North Alabama.

Dr. Bowden holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, a Master’s in Adult Education and Distance Learning, and a Bachelor of Arts in History. An active community leader, she is a proud member of the Huntsville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she helps organize programs in Education and the Arts. She and her husband, Daryl, reside in New Market, Alabama, and enjoy spending time with their family, including their grandson, Anthony.

Kristin Scroggin admits that she can’t do math or bake a pie, but she knows her stuff when it comes to Generational Diversity and Communication! Kristin has a Masters degree in Communication Studies, a Bachelors in Communication Arts, and was a Communications Professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville for 15 years. In 2017 she launched her company, genWHY Communications, and has been a Keynote Speaker at more than 250 conferences and 400+ organizations across the United States, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to tiny non-profits. Her research has been published in magazines, and she’s been a guest on multiple podcasts. Kristin consults on attracting, developing, and retaining Rockstar Millennial and GenZ talent. Obsessed with travel, and desperate to see the world, she and her husband try to keep their four children alive.

Tami Reist President & CEO, Alabama Mountain Lakes

With more than 30 years in the tourism industry, Tami Reist lives by Helen Keller’s words: “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” As President and CEO of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, she leads tourism promotion and development across 16 North Alabama counties, an area generating over $4.7 billion in annual travel spending. She also oversees membership growth for AMLA’s 500 plus members, including chambers, CVBs, attractions, and local businesses.

Tami serves on several state and regional tourism boards, teaches at the Southeast Tourism Society’s Marketing College, and frequently shares her expertise with universities and professional organizations. Her many honors include the ATHENA Leadership Award, Alabama Tourism Hall of Fame induction, and 2024 Tourism Promoter of the Year from the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association. Outside of work, she enjoys interior design, flying with her husband, traveling, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Leslie Walker

Owner, Leslie Walker Consulting

Leslie Walker CHSP, CATP, a seasoned veteran of the tourism and hospitality industry, has extensive experience in virtually every aspect of the visitor experience. She began her career at hotel front desks and quickly ascended through various roles, including hotel corporate sales, Director of Sales, and ultimately General Manager. Beyond the hotel industry, Ms. Walker excelled as a corporate meeting planner for international events and as Convention Sales Manager for the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau. She now owns and operates Leslie Walker Consulting, a creative tourism consultancy, supporting communities in achieving their tourism goals. Her expertise encompasses social media and marketing for large global conferences, developing content creator campaigns, conducting visitor experience audits, and innovating new tourism products.

Andy Whitt

State Representative for Alabama House District 6.

Representative Andy Whitt is a lifelong Madison County resident and eighth-generation community member. A Sparkman High graduate, he attended Calhoun Community College, Samford University’s CBAA program, and the Graduate School of Banking at LSU. With 27 years in banking, he serves as Senior Vice President and Madison County Executive for First National Bank, overseeing its growth in North Alabama. Elected to the Alabama House in 2018, Andy represents District 6— covering parts of Madison and Limestone Counties—and currently chairs the Economic Development and Tourism Committee.

Tere Richardson

Athens Main Street Executive Director

Tere Richardson has served as Executive Director of Athens Main Street since June 2018. During her tenure, she has led efforts to establish an entertainment district, introduce sidewalk dining, expand downtown events, and transform the city’s aging farmers market into a vibrant community gathering space.

Before joining Athens Main Street, Tere was a Senior Manager with Ernst & Young Consulting, leading strategic planning and software implementation projects for clients such as the J. Paul Getty Foundation, Honeywell, and Maytag. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from Athens State University and a bachelor’s in Computer Information Systems from Troy State University. Tere serves on the Community Board of the First National Bank of Pulaski and the Athens Rotary Club Board of Directors. She and her husband, Gary Van Wagnen, are partners in Egypt Bluff Properties and have two sons who work in accounting and engineering.

Collin Daly Chairman, Limestone County

Collin Daly has served as Chairman of the Limestone County Commission since his election in 2018. A lifelong resident of Limestone County and graduate of Elkmont High School, he continues a family legacy of public service begun by his father, former Chairman Gary Daly.

Before taking office, Daly worked for the Limestone County Water and Sewer Authority and the City of Huntsville Utilities Department. Re-elected unopposed in 2022, he has focused on managing growth, improving infrastructure, and maintaining fiscal responsibility. Known for his approachable leadership style, Daly takes pride in engaging with residents and ensuring Limestone County continues to thrive for future generations.

Jason Parks

President & CEO of The Parks Group, LLC and The Possible Project, and Senior Pastor of Refuge Church in Huntsville, AL

Jason Parks is recognized for his visionary leadership and his “anything is possible” attitude. With 20 years of experience in corporate communications, professional development, and global ministry, he is a highly sought-after motivational speaker and trainer. He has spoken to more than 2,200 audiences worldwide, covering topics such as leadership, effective communication, conflict resolution, and mental health.

Jason serves as President of The Parks Group, LLC, Senior Pastor of Refuge Church, and CEO of The Possible Project. He is also a subject matter expert in leadership at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a Certified Maxwell Leadership Speaker, Coach, and Consultant. Jason holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication Arts, a Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Divinity, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D.

Marby Retired Tennessee Department of Tourist Development

Marty recently retired from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, where she spent 20 years serving 26 counties across West and Middle Tennessee. Now, she’s focused on Marketing, Sales, and Community Engagement for the Southwest Tennessee Tourism Association, collaborating with the eight counties in the region. In her free time, Marty enjoys gardening, spending quality moments with her husband, Greg, and hunting for unique finds to display in one of her three antique booths.

Trisa Collier has the unique background of over 25 years working in the TourismIndustry. Eighteen of those years have been working for the Alabama TourismDepartment. As the Administrator of the Welcome Center Program, her dutiesinclude planning and directing the overall operations of the eight State WelcomeCenters. Her primary role is to make sure that each traveler has a memorableexperience when they meet the Front Desk Ambassadors as they enter AlabamaWelcome Centers. Her mantra is “People may not remember what you said, butthey will always remember how you made them feel”. On a personal note, she has been married for 35 years with twin sons, a daughter and a new daughter-in-law

Thank You to our partners!