Features Editor

Members of the board of directors of the Southeast Alabama Trails (SEAT) got the first look at the organization’s promotional brochures Tuesday when the group met in Ozark.

Lin Graham, SEAT executive director, said "The Old South Trail" brochure invites visitors to Alabama to experience Southeast Alabama and highlights each of the 11-member counties.

"It’s a great looking brochure and one that will introduce visitors to the Old South Trail counties and all that we have to offer," Graham said.

The brochures, which include contact telephone numbers for each county,

will be placed in rest areas and other tourist stops throughout the state.

The "Old South Trial" brochures are just one way that SEAT is promoting tourism and retirement in Southeast Alabama.

SEAT has developed and is promoting an antique trail for the area and has just completed a rack card for the area’s five community theaters, including "Come Home, It’s Suppertime" in Brundidge and "Conecuh People" in Union Springs.

"Community theaters are extremely popular and will bring tourists and tourist dollars to our area," Graham said. "We are excited about the possibilities and opportunities of the theater in our area. We want to really promote community theater and we can present a great theater package."

SEAT also promotes the 11-county area at trade shows and through media writers.

"We are dedicated to promoting tourism and retirement in the southeastern portion of the state," Graham said. "Through the association, marketing plans are developed and implemented to attract more travelers and retirees to the entire region. SEAT is a vital component in the economic development strategy for the region."

The organization’s nominating committee presented a slate of nominees for the awards that will be presented at the Governor’s Conference in Mobile in July.

Nominated were: Army Aviation Museum at Fort Rucker for attraction of the year, the Bullock County/Union Springs Tourism Committee, committee; Jimmy Ramage of Brundidge, mayor; Debbie DeRossett, media; Gulf State Golf Tournament, partnership; Bob Hendrix of Dothan, tourism professional; and Peggy Collins, employee of the year.

Ron Devane, owner and director of the Understudy Dinner Theater in Dothan, has won two tourism awards and Shelia Jackson of Troy was named one of Alabama’s Unforgettable Faces.

"We want to congratulate all of these members of our organization," Graham said. "They are doing an outstanding job of promoting Southeast Alabama and are deserving to this statewide recognition."

Graham said one of SEAT’s goals for 2003 is to make the organization more visible throughout the area and another goal is to increase its membership.

The benefits of membership include listing in all SEAT publications, news releases to media throughout the state, co-op advertising, press trips and informative seminars on tourism and retirement.

"At Southeast Alabama Trails, we offer added profits through united efforts," Graham said. "From everything positive we have seen, we know our united efforts are paying off for all of us."