At Auburn-Opelika Tourism, we believe in making our community better.
Guided by the vision to “make our community better,” AO Tourism has built a model where tourism not only invites visitors in, but uplifts the residents who call this region home.
The organization operates in thoughtfully designed spaces in both cities. The Auburn office is located downtown on Gay Street and also houses the Auburn-Opelika Art Showcase, a unique initiative highlighting local artists and contributing another layer to the community’s creative identity. The Opelika location is housed inside the newly renovated Opelika Chamber of Commerce building, where AO Tourism created a state-of-the-art visitor experience featuring multi-million-dollar immersive technology. The space reimagines how destinations welcome travelers, combining inspiration with information.
AO Tourism’s foundational priority remains the economic vitality of the region. In 2024 alone, the Auburn-Opelika area saw more than $900 million in visitor spending. In turn, AO Tourism reinvested 28 percent of its total operating budget directly into community-facing initiatives including sports facilities, parks, and trail development. These enhancements support quality of life for residents and bolster Auburn-Opelika’s ability to attract future leisure travelers, business events, and sporting competitions.
The team’s efforts go beyond infrastructure. Their commitment to storytelling and relationship-building has created a distinct narrative for Auburn-Opelika that is rooted in authenticity and pride of place. Campaigns like Humans of Auburn-Opelika shine a light on the real people behind the destination, from local entrepreneurs to educators and community leaders, helping audiences understand not just what Auburn-Opelika has to offer, but who it’s made of.
Collaboration remains a core value. AO Tourism engages regularly with local government leaders, civic groups, and business stakeholders to invite new ideas and maintain alignment on long-term community priorities. Their ability to listen, adapt, and lead with purpose has made them a trusted partner and a valuable resource across the region.
While many tourism organizations focus solely on driving visitation, AO Tourism sees its role more holistically. It serves as an economic driver, cultural connector, and community convener. In every way, Auburn-Opelika Tourism is helping shape a brighter future for the destination it represents.
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
