SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS

Conference Scholarships

The AL-MS-TN Rural Tourism Conference will be awarding six scholarships this year to attend the annual conference in Greenwood, MS on the dates of October 19-21, 2026.

Each scholarship will cover the conference registration, travel to and from the conference and two-nights accommodations at one of the conference hotels. Each state will have two scholarships available to give out to individuals who would like to attend but whose organizations may not have the budget to allow them to attend. The Mississippi Scholarships are dedicated to the memory of Ron Walker, one of the original organizers of the conference.

If you are interested in applying for this scholarship, please fill out the Alabama Scholarship Form or the Mississippi Scholarship Form or the Tennessee Scholarship Form, and submit a short description of why you would like to attend the Alabama-Mississippi-Tennessee Rural Tourism Conference and how it would benefit you and your organization. Also, give a brief description of what rural tourism aspects your organization promotes.

You can also nominate someone other than yourself for this scholarship by filling out the appropriate information on the scholarship form and submit in writing why you think this person should receive this scholarship and how this conference would benefit their continuing education. The deadline for application is September 1st.

Those individuals selected to receive the scholarships are expected to register for the conference and reserve their own lodging. Upon arrival at the conference they will receive a check for $500 to cover their registration, lodging and travel expenses.

We look forward to a successful conference this year with a great roster of speakers on various subjects that apply to rural tourism.

Best Regards,

Jed Smart
jrs0178@aces.edu

Christy Burns
cburns@corinth.net

Mary Beth Hopper
mbhopper@eplus.net

Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College Scholarships

In our commitment to improve tourism in rural areas, the Alabama-Mississippi-Tennessee Rural Tourism Conference is pleased to sponsor three individuals each year to the Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College. We will sponsor one individual from each of the three states: Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Our sponsorship covers full tuition for a person staying in the dorm. We do not cover transportation or any other expenses. This is a three year commitment on our part for each individual, provided the individual successfully completes each year and remains in the tourism industry in his or her state.

We have two scholarships available for the 2026 STS Marketing College – one for an individual from Mississippi and one for an individual from Alabama. We will have a scholarship available next year for an individual from Tennessee for next year’s Marketing College.

Download 2026 STS Marketing College Application

https://southeasttourism.org/marketing-college

AGNES ZAIONTZ RURAL TOURISM LEADERSHIP AWARD

This award recognizes a person or organization that has made a significant contribution to the rural travel and tourism industry through inspiration, spirit and excellent leadership.

Described as the mother of economic development efforts along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and the glue that held the Waterway together, Agnes Zaiontz was a fixture at the Tenn-Tom Waterway Development authority for nearly 35 years. She carried the title of office manager, but her roles reached far beyond her job description and title. She was instrumental in the development of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Tourism Association and the Tenn-Tom Marina Association, where she oversaw grant writing, bookkeeping, accounting, payroll and association management.

And in addition to all that, her vision and passion in establishing the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Transportation Museum, which tells the story of the near-35-year-old waterway that was first envisioned more than 200 years ago, demonstrates her desire to educate present and future generations on the importance of the Tenn-Tom and America’s waterways. She was also the motivating force in bringing the Smithsonian Water/Ways exhibit to the museum. Columbus was one of 10 U.S. cities chosen to host the Smithsonian traveling exhibit, telling the story of water’s historical, societal and cultural impact on the world.

Through her work, she touched many lives and is one of the most well-known, beloved and respected people connected to the Tenn-Tom Waterway. Recognized by Southern Business & Development magazine as one of “Ten People Who Made a Difference in the South,” our beloved Agnes passed away May 29, 2019.

"We would like to recognize the outstanding individuals who have received this award in the past:

2025 Tom Chesnutt Alabama-Mississippi-Tennessee Rural Tourism Conference

2024 Dave Jones, Tennessee Department of Tourism Development, Retired

2023 Rachael Carter, Mississippi State University Extension

2022 Cheryl Pate, Greater Gadsden Area Tourism

2021 Marty Marbry, Tennessee Department of Tourism Development

2019 Candace Johnson, University of Alabama Center for Economic Development

Download the 2026 Agnes Zaiontz Rural Tourism Leadership Award Form

Privacy Statement