Auburn-Opelika Convention & Visitors Bureau

Staff & Mission

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For everything that is Lee County, look no further than the Auburn and Opelika Convention and Tourism Bureau. Whether you need help planning a group getaway to the area, or information on the best places to dine during your stay, contact us and we’ll help make your next trip to Auburn and Opelika your best yet.

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The Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau is an economic enhancement tool for the communities of Auburn, Opelika and Lee County. We promote and develop our area through the travel and tourism industry and introduce the unique spirit of Auburn-Opelika to visitors from around the world.

The AO Tourism Bureau issued over 100,000 pieces of resource materials to area visitors and inquiries for the 2006-07 fiscal year.
Thousands of convention bags were provided to attendees that have contributed to an 10% increase ($12,666,198) room revenue so far this year.
The AO Tourism Bureau spends over $250,000 in advertising and promotion for the Auburn-Opelika area each year.
Our website is visited by over 1500 unique individual users per day.
Lee County enjoyed over $228 million in direct travel-related revenue for 2006, resulting in 2700 jobs; tourism is the area’s second largest employer after Auburn University.
One Auburn University home game generates visitor spending of over $230 per visitor per day, excluding ticket sales.

John Wild has worked in the hospitality industry for over twenty years, most recently serving as the General Manager of the Hotel at Auburn University before joining the Bureau as President in May of 2003. John is actively involved in the community and serves on the boards of many local and industry organizations including the Alabama Hospitality Association, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, and the 2005 Dixie Youth World Series Hosting Committee. Contact John for advertising opportunities and sporting tournament bids.

John C. Wild, CHA
President
johnwild@aotourism.com

Robyn Bridges has over ten years experience in the hospitality industry. She served as a Rooms Division Manager with the Hotel at Auburn University before joining the Tourism Bureau in October 2003. Robyn is a past president and board member for the local chapter of the Public Relations Council of Alabama and was elected their Practitioner of the Year for 2007. She is also the vice board chair over marketing and resource development for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County. Contact Robyn for news, story ideas, media kits, and all your leisure travel needs.

Robyn L. Bridges, CRDE
Communications Director
rlbridges@aotourism.com

An Auburn native, Cindy Law Chancellor has been a travel industry professional for over 20 years. Her most recent position as a Corporate Travel Agent with Fair Winds Travel has provided her a wealth of experience in attending to the travel needs of groups and businesses. Cindy markets the Auburn-Opelika area to groups, conferences, and sporting events around the nation. Contact Cindy for all your meeting and group tour needs.

Cindy Law Chancellor
Sales Manager
cindy@aotourism.com

Renate Gorbante is the newest addition to the staff of the Tourism Bureau. She is a graduate of the University of West Florida where she transferred after coming to the United States on a cultural exchange program with the country of Latvia in Eastern Europe. A communications major, Renate began as an intern with the Bureau and joined the staff full-time in June 2007. Her primary responsibilities include event, convention, and sales support, inquiry fulfillment, distribution, and PR & communications assistance.

Renate Gorbante
Resource Specialist
renate@aotourism.com

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