Foley representatives attend the Alabama’s Governor’s Conference on Tourism to accept the Tourism Organization of the Year award.

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FOLEY – During 2017’s Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism, held Aug 21 in Birmingham, a lot of talk generated about the city as Foley and OWA took home 2 of the 13 awards.

“Foley received the Tourism Organization of the Year Award, and that’s a huge, huge award,” said LaDonna Hinesley, Marketing Director at City of Foley, who attended the conference and accepted the award alongside council member Ralph Hellmich and Foley's Director of Economic Development Jeff Rouzie.

The award was received in recognition of the city’s dedication to bringing in tourists by building the new Foley Sports Tourism Complex, which has already begun to draw crowds. Since the fields opened in May of 2016, they have hosted numerous tournaments which brought thousands of visitors to the city. Most recently, the complex played host to a major soccer event, along with the event center’s first event, a youth gymnastics tournament.

Along with the city, OWA brought home an award during the event, walking away with the 2018 Attraction of the Year Award. The entertainment destination opened The Park at OWA in July 2017, and are hard at work preparing for the opening of the shopping and dining district, as well as the entertainment district. Future plans include multiple hotels, a waterpark, and an RV park.

“Foley is very honored to receive this award. We’ve been working for several years to give visitors more reasons to come to Foley,” Koniar said. “Our partnership with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians has created a project that is transforming our city. The city is providing playing fields and an events center adjacent to their new OWA destination resort. We appreciate their partnership, and the opportunity it provides for us all. This is an investment in tourism that will benefit not only Foley, but the Gulf Coast area, and the state as well.”

Overall, Foley walked away with 2 major awards, and individuals in Gulf Shores also did not leave empty-handed.

“This part of the state really shined that evening,” Hinesley said.

Foley isn’t stopping there. Plans are already in the works to bring even more shopping, dining, and housing opportunities to the city, enforcing Foley’s place as one of the top tourist destinations in the state.