Who We Are

At Auburn-Opelika Tourism, we believe in making our community better:

  1. We aspire to excellence. In our work and in our relationships, we look for ways to exceed expectations. To be better and do better.
  2. We pursue growth. We never want to stop learning.
  3. We foster joy. It's tourism in the greatest community in the South. It’s supposed to be fun!
  4. We earn trust. We deliver on our promises, and we’re careful with your tax dollars.
  5. We practice servant leadership. We believe that we are all here to help each other, and we look for ways to serve our neighbors and our friends. Because, like we said, we believe in making our community better.

You can see more details on our culture and core values here.

  • Robyn L. Bridges

    Robyn L. Bridges

    President & CEO
    rlbridges@aotourism.com
    Phone: 334.501.3281

    Robyn Bridges has over 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. An adjunct professor at Auburn University, she began her career as a hospitality professional with the Hotel at Auburn University before joining AO Tourism in 2003.

    Robyn has served in leadership roles with a variety of industry and civic boards and committees: she currently serves on the Hospitality Advisory Board for Auburn University’s School of Human Sciences and the executive committee of the Southeast Tourism Society. She also serves on the board of the Public Relations Society of America and has previously served the Southern Public Relations Federation, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County, and United Way. She further donates her time to the city she loves in the role of Planning Commissioner for Auburn.

    Robyn is passionate about the Auburn-Opelika community and sharing the culture of our destination with audiences around the country and beyond.

    ROBYN'S AREA FAVES:

  • Brooke Kastner

    Brooke Kastner

    Vice President
    brooke@aotourism.com
    Phone: 334.501.3281

    Brooke has over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, most recently serving as the director of sales and marketing at Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa at Grand National. Brooke graduated from Auburn University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and has been heavily involved in the Auburn-Opelika community since. She has served many organizations including the Junior League of Lee County, Opelika Chamber Women’s Business Council, Opelika Rotary Club, Opelika Main Street, United Way of Lee County, and more. Brooke is also a recent past chair of the board of directors of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce. In her spare time, Brooke enjoys spending time with her husband and son while traveling, sampling new food and drinks, and baking.

    BROOKE'S AREA FAVES:

     

     

  • Cindy Pugh

    Cindy Pugh

    Sales Manager
    cindy@aotourism.com
    phone: 334.704.0114

    After 20 years in the travel industry, Cindy joined Auburn-Opelika Tourism in December 2005. Her many years as a Corporate Travel Agent with Fair Winds Travel have provided her with a wealth of experience in attending to the travel needs of groups and businesses. Cindy markets the Auburn-Opelika area to groups and conferences around the nation. Cindy serves as the secretary on the board for Independent Rights and Resources, is a member of The Piedmont Bird Trail Committee, and does volunteer work for the March of Dimes. In her free time, she enjoys cooking. Contact Cindy for all your meeting and group tour needs.

    CINDY'S AREA FAVES:

  • Cat Bobo

    Cat Bobo

    Communications Director
    cat@aotourism.com
    Phone: 334.501.3281

    Cat Bobo graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Public Relations in 2015 and now serves as the Communications Manager for AOT. Cat has been a Diplomat for the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, on the committee for Auburn Young Professionals, and serves on the Board of Directors of Leadership Lee County, the Women's Business Council, and Lee County Young Leaders. Cat is a true Auburn local, having lived here her whole life. She enjoys writing and loves to edit even more. In her free time, Cat enjoys running, hiking, practicing yoga, good food, great movies and traveling. Contact Cat for advertising & marketing inquiries, partner & community relations, photography, or pizza! 

    CAT'S AREA FAVES:

     

  • Anthony Terling

    Anthony Terling

    Sports & Event Development Manager
    anthony@aotourism.com
    Phone: 334.391.2527

    Anthony Terling, STS, CHSP, has over 13 years of experience in the sports industry. He graduated from Auburn University Montgomery in 2009 with an undergraduate degree in Sports Management, later going on to earn his master's in the same field. Before joining Auburn-Opelika Tourism in 2018, Terling served as vice president of external affairs for the Alabama Sports Festival Foundation (ASF Foundation), a non-profit organization responsible for producing the Alabama State Games and worked for the Tampa Bay Rays and their AA minor league affiliate. He is also SafeSport Certified through the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

    Anthony values family time and being a great husband to Lindsey and father to his two sons. Other interests include, watching any and all sports in person or on TV (Penguins hockey is the best!), attending Auburn University athletic events, outdoor recreation, and lover all things landscape. Charitable work and helping others in need is a passion for Anthony, as he and his wife co-founded a non-profit public charity (Austin 1st Foundation) that raises awareness and research funding for rare diseases.

    ANTHONY'S AREA FAVES:

  • Karen Gilmore

    Karen Gilmore

    Service & Event Coordinator
    karen@aotourism.com
    Phone: 334.734.2987

    Karen, a born and raised Brit, has 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. She graduated in 2007 from Leeds Metropolitan University in England with a bachelor's degree in International Hospitality and Business Management. During her education, she was given the opportunity to move to the US for one year to work on Mackinac Island in Michigan and also in Key Largo, Florida. Upon her graduation, Karen officially moved to the US in early 2008. Most recently she spent over 10 years working for the Marriott at Grand National in Opelika. Karen and her husband have lived in the Auburn-Opelika area for almost 13 years and have their hands full with two boys. In her spare time, she loves family day trips, drinking hot cups of coffee, and watching the first 10 minutes of movies before falling asleep. Contact Karen for community volunteer needs or the Volunteer AO program.

     KAREN'S AREA FAVES:

  • Chloe Warren

    Chloe Warren

    Communications Specialist
    chloe@aotourism.com
    Phone: 334.501.3281

    Chloe Warren graduated with a degree in public relations from Auburn University in 2022 and now serves as the Communications Specialist for AOT. From Fairhope, Alabama, she loved the small-town feel and hospitality Auburn provided during her time receiving her degree. She is ambitious to reflect this hospitality to the community through her role at AOT. Chloe loves the beach, being creative, going on walks, and spending quality time with her friends and family. Contact Chloe for calendar of event items, aotourism.com, news, story ideas, press releases, convention supplies, and social media.

    CHLOE'S AREA FAVES:

  • Awbrey Mitchell

    Awbrey Mitchell

    Sales Manager
    awbrey@aotourism.com
    Phone: 678.972.0522

    Awbrey graduated with a degree in communications in 2023 from Auburn University and now serves as a sales manager for AOT. He attended Southern Union State Community College for two years before transferring to Auburn University to finish his degree. Awbrey is originally from Peachtree City, Georgia and has always loved visiting the area for Auburn University athletic events. Awbrey enjoys playing and watching many aspects of sports, whether it's Auburn Athletics, the National Football League, or playing a quick round of golf with friends. Contact Awbrey to find out how you can promote your Auburn-Opelika business through our Show Your Badge program, or with your idea for the next great sports tourism event to be hosted in the area.

     

    AWBREY'S AREA FAVES:

  • Travis Harrison

    Travis Harrison

    Event & Marketing Specialist
    travis@aotourism.com
    Mobile: 281.900.8150

    Travis graduated with a degree in public relations in 2023 from Auburn University and now serves as the event and marketing specialist for AOT. Originally from Houston, Texas, Travis quickly fell in love with the timeless small-town feel of the area. Travis loves to get to know new people, tackle new challenges, and spend time outdoors. Contact Travis for any event inquiries and marketing needs.  

    TRAVIS'S AREA FAVES: 

  • Charlie Fleury

    Charlie Fleury

    Communications Intern
    cmf0067@auburn.edu
    Phone: 334.501.3281

    Charlie is a current senior at Auburn University majoring in public relations and minoring in business. Originally from Annapolis, Maryland, Auburn was the farthest school Charlie applied to. Without touring or even stepping foot on campus, Charlie had a feeling Auburn was the place for him, and it's safe to say that he has fallen in love with the university and surrounding area of Auburn and Opelika. On campus, Charlie has gotten involved with various organizations such as Student Recruiters and the Student Government Association. Outside of school, he loves watching sporting events, attending concerts, and spending quality time with his friends here in Auburn.

    CHARLIE'S AREA FAVES:

  • Elisabeth Wiebe

    Elisabeth Wiebe

    Public Relations Intern
    egw0029@auburn.edu
    Phone: 334.501.3281

    Elisabeth is a current senior at Auburn University, majoring in public relations and minoring in marketing. Elisabeth loves the small town feel of Auburn and the tight knit community of friends that feel like family. Elisabeth has previous experience serving as an on-campus student led public relations agency as a social media chair. She is excited to continue a role in social media and create content for AO Tourism. 

    ELISABETH'S AREA FAVES:

Auburn-Opelika
Tourism
714 East Glenn Ave
Auburn, AL 36830
Phone:334.501.3281

Auburn-Opelika Tourism is a non-profit service organization driving economic impact and improving the quality of life in our community through tourism and travel.

Core Values:

Aspire to excellence.

  1. We will deliver service that exceeds expectations and strive to practice excellence in our daily endeavors.
  2. The proactive anticipation of the needs of others, both among our team members and the guests we serve, will be among our guiding principles.

Pursue growth.

  1. We will foster an environment of learning and growth in our team members, in ourselves, and in our organization.
  2. We will seek opportunities for the ongoing development of our leadership skills and challenge each other with genuine interest in the success of our team members.

Foster joy.

  1. Laugh! Happy team = happy guests.
  2. We will cultivate an environment of engaged, joyful, passionate, interested team members.
  3. We will recognize and reward creativity and courage, and we will maintain a flat hierarchy where ideas and innovation are encouraged from all team members. 

Earn trust.

  1. We will be prudent and exercise responsibility in our daily endeavors, being mindful at all times of the tax dollars which have been entrusted to us on behalf of our community.
  2. We will be fiscally and ethically conservative and strive to maintain the respected reputation of ourselves and the organization.

Practice servant leadership.

We will serve each other, we will serve our guests, and we will serve our community with a genuine dedication to making ourselves and the world better.