By Kaitlin Hoskins, News Editor
Tina Morrison, a native of Limestone County, was introduced to the Gadsden City Council Tuesday, August 15.
Morrison was just named executive director of Greater Gadsden Area Tourism. She replaces Tynette Lynch, who was named interim director by the tourism board in March 2023, following Hugh Stumps removal from the position of executive director.
“It has been a pleasure to be a part of tourism in Etowah County and greater Gadsden,” Lynch said. “We did an extensive search for a new director of tourism for your area… I love tourism. I have 40 years in tourism. I recently retired as director of tourism for the City of Hoover and serve on the state [tourism] advisory board. It’s been fun for me and I’m proud to be here. But I’d like to give you your new tourism director, Tina Morrison.”
Morrison’s first day on the job was Monday, August 14.
“I love tourism and I am really excited about what I can do to help Etowah County promote tourism,” Morrison said.
Morrison will serve alongside board members Kirkland Back, Jennifer Fuller, City of Attalla Mayor Larry Means, Kendall Hamilton, Etowah County Commissioner Craig Inzer Jr., Lana Gaskin Bellew, Sydney Butler Gunter, Jamey Moore, Jeff Overstreet, Emily Mills, Cheryl Pate and Todd Hindsman.
“I’m really excited to get to know each and every one of you,” Morrison said to city council members. “I’m really excited to get to work. Feel free to stop in anytime.”
The new Gadsden transplant has traveled, lived and worked across the globe, including in England, Australia and Mexico.
Morrison found her love of tourism while serving as the director of the Perdido Key, Florida Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center for seven years. During her tenure there, she obtained a $1 million tourism promotional grant to bring visitors back to the beach after the 2010 oil spill. She also planned, coordinated and executed over 20 major festivals and events.
She was featured on Animal Planet’s TANKED TV show when she had a 450-gallon pirate ship fish tank installed inside the Visitors Center, making it a destination location.
In 2020, Tina was employed with the Florida Agricultural Museum as the events director and was coordinating events like square dances, the Florida Beverage Festival and Farm-to-Table events before the COVID-19 pandemic lead to quarantines.
Morrison returned to Limestone County to be closer to family and was hired with Athens-Limestone County Tourism in 2022.
“Tina, you’re a breath of fresh air,” Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford said. “We are happy to have you and look forward to working with you.”