Photo: Cecelia Smith waits on eager tourists to stop by the Ardmore exit so she can share with them all that Cullman has to offer.
CULLMAN – If you’re close to the tourism industry in our area, the announcement of the departure of Cullman’s Tourism Director Cecelia Smith most likely came as a complete shock, as explained by several Tourism Board members and business owners.
While the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce has no comment, Smith has stepped forward to answer a few questions regarding her time in Cullman. Smith declined to answer questions about why she was dismissed from the Chamber last Monday evening (March 7). Multiple people claim that Smith was relieved of her position around 6 p.m. and then escorted out of the building. Smith would not confirm these reports; however, she did not deny them.
CullmanSense asked Smith several questions, and below are her responses.
CS: So what attracted you to the job?
Smith: From a young age I've always received enormous satisfaction in bringing others together. I felt like Cullman was at a tipping point for some great possibilities, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to be involved in helping shape the future of tourism here. There are people in Cullman with great vision and I just wanted to add to the discussion and hopefully be able to be a positive influence.
Knowing that my actions can have a direct impact on our visitors’ experiences motivated me to constantly innovate and improve. Visiting Cullman is not just a destination, but an experience, and it was extremely important to me that I keep that experience a positive one.
CS: What was the best part of your job?
Smith: The best part of my job as the Tourism Director was promoting the Cullman area and what it has to offer. Meeting new people and building relationships throughout the Cullman community, both personal and professional, and taking an opportunity to get to know each business or individual a little more to find out what’s important to them and how I can help promote them along the way.
Every person in our community plays an important role in the way that visitors view Cullman. Also, collaborating with a Tourism Board that is truly dedicated to being leaders in promoting the Cullman area. I could have never have been as successful without the support of a tremendous Tourism Board of Directors.
CS: What has been your most rewarding experience in the past year?
Smith: In my role, this has included traveling to cities with the support of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association to share with potential tourists and tell them what we have to offer. They are great cheerleaders, as they promote our community regularly.
At the same time, the residents of the Cullman area continue to instill the Southern values of welcoming visitors and newcomers and looking out for their neighbors. I am absolutely in love with what the Cullman area has become over the past couple of years. I am thankful for the support I have received since the day I arrived.
CS: Where to now?
Smith: I am not sure. God will open the right door for me. I have learned to embrace change. We moved often. Each move brought new challenges and new opportunities. One thing that stayed constant was that I made many friends in each town that I called home. Cullman residents have embraced me and I have become all the better for my time here. Thank you!
After we spoke with Smith, members of the Tourism Board were contacted, including current Board President Josh Wiggins.
Wiggins, like most of the board, was shocked when he found out Smith had been asked to leave the Chamber the previous evening.
“I was one of the few that did know because it happened so late at night,” said Wiggins. “I was so in shock that I tried to call the other board members so they would know before our meeting.” Wiggins went on to read to a written statement.
“Cecelia will be greatly missed. It was great to work with her during my short time on the board. I just recently became Chair and was looking forward to working with her further. She was always very organized and always keeping us up to date on all the projects regarding tourism in Cullman. As far as I know she is one of the best tourism directors we’ve ever had,” he continued.
“She was known at the local, state, and regional levels. She represented Cullman at many different trade shows all over the country. I’m just hoping in the future we will find someone that will continue all of her great efforts she displayed in tourism for Cullman.”
Wiggins was one of only a few people notified about the decision. The rest of the Tourism Board found out Tuesday morning at their scheduled monthly meeting.
Others in Cullman’s tourism world reached out to CullmanSense to speak about their feelings about Smith’s dismissal and whether it is a positive or negative move.
Donny Wilson, Director of the Evelyn Burrow Museum, said he has had the privilege to work alongside many tourism directors. However, when it comes to Smith, Wilson said there was something different.
“Not taking anything away from the others, Cecelia was the best I have seen in all my years. She worked hard to keep a balance with the many difference personalities that make up tourism in our community. This has been one of the hardest parts of the job in the past, yet she seemed to do it effortlessly,” said Wilson.
He said one of Smith’s best attributes was her willingness to go anywhere to promote Cullman and all it offers. This meant a lot of traveling and a lot of trade shows.
“The many trade shows promoting Cullman and the county, and staying in contact with all of us and helping to promote the many different aspects of tourism in the county. She made a big impact on tourism in Cullman and north Alabama, sitting on the Executive Board of North Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourism Association. It will be hard to replace her in my book. She has been a big asset that will be missed,” he finished.
Nathan Anderson, Director Cullman City Parks & Recreation, said, “Cecilia is always great to work with on any tourism project. She always looked for ways to promote Parks and Recreation wherever she went. We really appreciate all she has done for us.”
Meanwhile in Hanceville, at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Jennifer Prybyla, assistant director of pilgrimages, reminisced on how the two met.
“I met Cecelia back in July 2013 when she started working as the Tourism Director. I invited her to come and visit the Shrine,” said Prybyla. “She agreed and came (with camera in hand) for a tour within a few days. Instantly, upon meeting her, I knew she was a perfect fit for this job because she had so much passion for meeting new people and seeing new sites.”
When asked if Smith had been a positive boost for the Shrine and the surrounding area, Prybyla said, “Cecelia has been such a positive boost for the Shrine over these past few years. Not only did she love the beauty of the Shrine, but the roots in her Catholic faith helped enrich her experience when visiting,” she continued. “As she promoted the Shrine throughout Alabama and northern states, she was able to take her own experience and share it with others, which she did so often. Over the past few years, she has brought many people to the Shrine, including her own family, a Tourism Board member and photographers.”
One constant Prybyla could count on was Smith coming by the Shrine at least once per month to restock brochures for local attractions and events, along with restocking maps at the Shrine’s information booth.
“Cecelia also asked me to be part of the Tourism Board in 2014. I was very honored that she wanted a representative from the Shrine to be a part of Cullman tourism,” she said.
Prybyla was asked how she would best describe what Cecelia has done with her time as Tourism Director from her perspective. Her full response is below:
“Cecelia has done an outstanding job as Tourism Director. Not only does she have a loving heart and friendly personality, but Cecelia gave her all when it came to this job. She always had a smile on her face and truly loved promoting Cullman. Cecelia helped make Cullman very known by attending meetings, events, ribbon cuttings, Snowbird shows, and the list goes on and on. I really saw her love for Cullman and dedication to this job during our Tourism Board Meetings. She always came prepared with handouts of monthly Chamber activities, a division activity report, and articles about Cullman in magazines. She always had new ideas that she would bounce off of us members, especially when it came to unifying businesses, attractions, and restaurants. Our Board has grown over these past two years because of her inspirations such as: billboards, brochures, Cullman map, new website, and Tourism Awards event.
Cecelia's position as Tourism Director will be replaced, but she CANNOT be replaced. I am deeply saddened that everything she worked so hard for might be jeopardized if the Chamber does not choose someone with such dedication and passion about tourism. Our Tourism Board has truly been hurt because of the loss of our leader and the way it was handled.”
CullmanSense editor Wendy Sack reached out to the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce from Friday through Saturday in an attempt to secure a quote. However, the chamber stated in an email, “It is Chamber policy not to discuss current or prior employees.”
CullmanSense publisher Noah Galilee reached out to the Chamber’s full Executive Board, along with Chamber President Leah Bolin once we received an email response asking that we cc (carbon copy) the entire Executive Board when asking such questions (about employees). Galilee asked any of the members to make a comment, but all declined to reply to the email request.
To read Cecelia Smith’s complete Tourism Board performance evaluation, see the embedded PDF below.
Also below is a media release from the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, who named Cullman Tourism Director Cecelia Smith the Young Professional of Year in 2014.
Publisher’s Note: CS strives to be impartial and tell all sides of every story, but when parties wish not to speak with our reporters, editor or publisher, we can only report the sides willing to come forward.
Related: "OPINION: An Open Letter to the Citizens of Cullman, regarding the dismissal of Tourism Director Cecelia Smith by the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce"
Cecelia Smith- Performance Review from Cullman Tourism Board
Cullman- Smith Named Young Professional of the Year
