Medley wins tourism award

For a small community, Franklin County sees a relatively large number of tourists every year. That is largely because of the annual Watermelon Festival – more specifically, according to the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, much of that tourism can be attributed to Cassie Medley, executive director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. The AMLA awarded Medley the title of Tourism Professional of the Year.

The AMLA presented Medley with the award at the association’s annual meeting at the end of September. It is one of the 12 PEAK awards AMLA gives out every year, Medley said.

“I’m incredibly honored; I wasn’t expecting it,” she said.

The Tourism Professional of the Year award is given to an individual who has made a great contribution to tourism in the past year, according to the AMLA.

“I love my job. I enjoy what I do, but it’s not just me,” Medley said. “It’s a group effort from the board and all of the departments and the community that make everything a success.”

Since 2012 Medley has been involved with many events, old and new – the Watermelon Festival being one of the biggest recurring events. She said the chamber puts a heavy focus on getting school-aged children involved in the community through events like Holly Day, Trunk or Treat, coloring contests and egg hunts.

“We want them to understand what tourism is and how they can get involved,” she said.

Junior Leaders is another effort Medley is passionate about. The program is aimed at getting juniors in high school involved in the community and educating them, she explained.

“They need to know what’s here for them now and what opportunities will be here for them in the future,” she said.

According to AMLA’s website, during Medley’s years with the chamber there has been a steady increase in lodging taxes and a record number of attendees and vendors at the Watermelon Festival.