The inaugural Southwest Tennessee Tourism Association IMPACT Awards were held Wednesday, July 8, at Pickwick Landing State Park in conjunction with the organization’s Annual Meeting, marking the beginning of its 2026–2027 fiscal year.
Created to recognize the outstanding individuals, businesses, organizations, and communities making a difference across Southwest Tennessee, the IMPACT Awards celebrate excellence in tourism, retail, agritourism, and hospitality. The awards honor the visionaries, leaders, and community partners whose creativity, dedication, and commitment strengthen visitor experiences while driving economic growth throughout the region. A total of 15 awards were presented during the inaugural ceremony.
Among those recognized was local Henderson | Chester County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism (Blake Hopper), receiving the IMPACT Award for Organization of the Year.
Southwest Tennessee Tourism Association Executive Director Mary Beth Hopper welcomed attendees to the event before introducing Hardin County Mayor Kevin Davis. Davis thanked the association for selecting Hardin County as the host community and welcomed guests from across the eight-county region.
State Senator Page Walley also addressed those in attendance, speaking about tourism’s growing role as an economic driver in Southwest Tennessee. Walley expressed his continued support for initiatives that expand tourism opportunities while benefiting both residents and visitors before offering the blessing over the meal prepared and served by the staff of Pickwick Landing State Park.
The annual meeting concluded with a keynote address from Tami Reist, President and CEO of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association. Widely recognized as one of the Southeast’s leading voices in destination marketing and tourism, Reist is also a presenter at Southeast Tourism Society’s Marketing College held annually at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.
During her presentation, Reist emphasized that collaboration among communities, elected officials, tourism professionals, and local stakeholders is essential for rural destinations to thrive. She shared examples of successful regional partnerships in North Alabama, where tourism currently generates more than $4.7 billion in annual travel expenditures.
The afternoon concluded with the presentation of the inaugural IMPACT Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations whose contributions have strengthened Southwest Tennessee’s tourism industry and enhanced the region’s reputation as a destination for visitors.
The complete IMPACT Awards ceremony is available on the Southwest Tennessee Tourism Association’s Facebook page and the Discover Southwest Tennessee YouTube channel.
The Southwest Tennessee Tourism Association serves the eight-county region of Chester, Decatur, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, and McNairy counties, promoting the area’s unique attractions, communities, events, and businesses through regional collaboration and destination marketing.
To learn more about the Southwest Tennessee Tourism Association, membership opportunities, and upcoming regional events, visit www.visitswtenn.com.
