Episode Details

We sit down with Robyn Bridges, President and CEO of Auburn Opelika Tourism, to unpack how tourism work quietly shapes what locals get to enjoy every day. We connect the visitor economy to better facilities, stronger small businesses, and the intentional relationship-building that brings major events to town.

• destination management explained through recruiting conferences and sporting events 
• visitor spending tied to jobs, local business growth, and city services 
• pickleball and recreation facilities as examples of tourism-fueled expansion 
• restaurants and retail supported by steady visitor traffic 
• AOTourism.com as a planning tool with a comprehensive events calendar 
• Robyn’s career journey from hotel marketing to tourism leadership 
• common misconceptions about tourism being only for outsiders 
• leadership lessons on curiosity, trust, and making people feel valued 
• growth challenges around scalability, staffing, and budget 
• big events as the result of years of intentional recruiting and relationships 
www.aotourism.com