By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Visitors bureau chief wins state honor
Leah Poole 002
Liberty County Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO Leah Poole holds her Larry Allen Tourism Leadership Award. - photo by Photo provided.

Liberty County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau CEO Leah Poole has won the Larry Allen Tourism Leadership Award, which was recently presented by Gov. Nathan Deal.

The award was announced Sept. 14 during the Georgia Governor’s Tourism Conference awards ceremony.

According to the conference, the award recognizes an individual who demonstrates excellence in leadership skills and abilities. The award is given in memory of Larry Allen, who was general manager of Stone Mountain and exemplified all around friendship, support and leadership in the tourism industry.

Poole has been the CEO of the LCCVB since 2012 and is also CEO of the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce.

During her tenure, she has worked to bring Liberty County’s tourism industry to the forefront by focusing on building relationships with tourism partners, tourism product development, a heightened presence on social media and reaching out to various travel writers and the entertainment industry to have a presence in the community.

"I’m honored to receive this award and pleased that the efforts of the Liberty County CVB are being recognized," Poole said. "Of course I firmly believe that nothing is possible without a great team, so any honor received is a credit to all of us and how we work together."

State Rep. Al Williams,currently sits on the LCCVB board, nominated Poole for the award.

"There’s nobody better," Williams said, about why he nominated Poole.

"I’m very appreciative to Rep. Williams for nominating me, and his vision of tourism, and economic development as a whole, are what will continue to help move our county forward," Poole said. "I thoroughly enjoy my job, and I’m excited about the future of tourism in Liberty County."

Liberty County’s tourism industry generated $105.4 million in direct travel spending in fiscal year 2014, an increase of approximately $20 million since 2009, according to state tourism officials.

Sign up for our e-newsletters