Nov. 21--Summer vacations last longer than Julie Hill's retirement.

The former manager of the award-winning Microtel in Decatur had only been retired two months when the chain hotel called seeking temporary help with sales.

Hill couldn't say no, and now she's working as a consultant until the chain finds a permanent replacement.

It's an example of the 1976 Austin High graduate's dedication to local tourism and why the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau presented her the Julian Walker "Mr. Tourism" Award on Thursday. The award goes to those who contribute significantly beyond their professional duty to the betterment of the local tourism industry.

Hill has been a Commodore for the city and served on the Decatur Beautification Committee. She also is a past president of the Decatur Hospitality Association and served on the board of directors for the visitors bureau.

In 2006, the Microtel and Suite's corporate office presented her hotel with a "Community Service Award" for going beyond the call of duty to help guests evacuating from Hurricane Katrina.

Hill also developed the "Sand Dollar" marketing campaign to persuade snowbirds traveling to the Gulf Coast to stop overnight in Decatur. She also laid the foundation for the bureau's relationship with the Jesse Owens Runners Club, leading to numerous cross country events each year to Lawrence County that lure out-of-town runners to stay in Decatur.

"This is the greatest award I've ever received," Hill said after the awards breakfast. "I'm very proud of it because I'm proud of Decatur. I'm proud to be a part of their success.

"I miss representing Decatur tremendously because I believe in Decatur and I love Decatur," she said.

The bureau announced during the awards breakfast that local hotels generated $866,902 in lodging taxes for the city in fiscal 2008 fiscal. That was a 10 percent increase from the previous year.

Norman Roby, chairman of the visitors bureau board of directors, congratulated the bureau staff for marketing efforts to capture travelers even during a troubled economy.

He also noted the success of about 40 fishing and sports events the visitors bureau has helped attract this past year.

Brian Jones, spokesman for the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel, also was present to congratulate Tami Reist, president of the visitors bureau, and her staff for being named the top visitors bureau in the state.

Other awards presented Thursday:

--Young Professional of the Year went to Stacey Puckett, director of sales for the Courtyard by Marriott. Puckett is a member of the Decatur Jaycees and the Decatur-Morgan County Hospitality Association. She's a volunteer for Riverfest and the Southern Wildlife Festival.

--Event of the Year went to NAIA Softball National Championship. Wilson Morgan Park has hosted this tournament 11 times since 1996.

It earned the event again for 2009 and 2010 and will bring 32 teams from across the country. The economic impact for the 2008 tourney was more than $780,000.

--Good Neighbor Award went to Daikin America and its 322 employees. Daikin presents an annual golf tournament generating hundreds of thousands of dollars for United Way annually. It also sponsors the Homestay Program, which sends a junior from each high school in Morgan County to Japan for two weeks.

The company also started a Japanese collection at Decatur Public Library. In 2003, it gave $50,000 toward construction of a traditional Japanese tea garden in Frazier Park.

--The Top Five Corporate Companies producing the most room nights in 2007 were Nucor Steel with 6,665 room nights; 3M, 3,265 room nights; Toray, 3,185 room nights; Tennessee Valley Authority, 3,011 room nights; and Daikin America, 2,404 room nights.

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