At Auburn-Opelika Tourism, we believe in making our community better.
Guided by this vision, Auburn-Opelika Tourism has built an approach to tourism that not only welcomes visitors but also benefits the residents who call this region home.
The organization operates in thoughtfully designed spaces in both cities. Its downtown Auburn office on Gay Street is also home to the Auburn-Opelika Art Showcase, an initiative that highlights local artists and supports the area's creative community. The Opelika office, located inside the renovated Opelika Chamber of Commerce building, features a state-of-the-art visitor experience with multimillion-dollar immersive technology, combining inspiration with practical travel information.
Economic vitality remains a foundational priority. In 2024, visitors spent more than $900 million in the Auburn-Opelika area. That same year, AO Tourism reinvested 28 percent of its operating budget directly into community initiatives, including sports facilities, parks, and trail development. These investments improve quality of life for residents while strengthening the area's appeal for leisure travel, meetings and conventions, and sporting events.
The team's work extends beyond infrastructure. Through storytelling and relationship-building, AO Tourism shares the people and experiences that give Auburn-Opelika its character. Campaigns like Humans of Auburn-Opelika highlight local entrepreneurs, educators, and community leaders, helping audiences connect with the people behind the destination.
Collaboration is equally important. AO Tourism works closely with local government leaders, civic organizations, and business partners to exchange ideas, address community needs, and support long-term priorities. This collaborative approach has established the organization as a trusted partner and resource throughout the region.
Ultimately, Auburn-Opelika Tourism's role extends well beyond attracting visitors. As an economic driver, cultural connector, and community partner, the organization works to strengthen the destination and improve the community for those who live, work, and visit here.
Our Core Values:
Aspire to Excellence: We exceed expectations and practice excellence daily. Proactively anticipating the needs of our team members and guests is one of our guiding principles.
Pursue Growth: We foster a learning environment, encouraging growth for our team members, ourselves, and our organization. We seek opportunities for leadership development and support each other's success.
Foster Joy: A happy team means happy guests. We cultivate an engaged, joyful, and passionate team environment, recognizing creativity and innovation from all members.
Earn Trust: We exercise prudence and responsibility, mindful of the tax dollars entrusted to us. We maintain a respected reputation through fiscal and ethical conservatism.
Practice Servant Leadership: We serve each other, our guests, and our community with a dedication to making the world a better place
