Auburn-Opelika Tourism’s Karen Gilmore has earned the Travel Marketing Professional (TMP) designation, completing the Southeast Tourism Society’s rigorous three-year Marketing College program and joining a distinguished network of credentialed tourism professionals.
The TMP designation is awarded to tourism professionals who successfully complete all three years of Marketing College, including comprehensive coursework, assignments and a final TMP project. Gilmore is one of 86 professionals in the 2026 graduating class to earn the designation.
For more than three decades, Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College has provided specialized continuing education for professionals shaping the travel and tourism industry. The program combines instruction from industry leaders with applied learning focused on destination marketing, research, public relations, advocacy, emerging trends and other areas critical to the tourism industry.
Earning the TMP designation marks a significant professional milestone for Gilmore and reflects Auburn-Opelika Tourism’s continued commitment to investing in its team. Through professional development opportunities such as Marketing College, the organization strengthens the expertise its staff brings to serving visitors, supporting local partners and enhancing the Auburn-Opelika community.
"I’m incredibly proud of Karen for earning her TMP designation," said Robyn Bridges, President and CEO of Auburn-Opelika Tourism. "Marketing College is a serious commitment of time and energy over three years and completing it says a lot about Karen’s dedication to her own professional growth and to the work we do at Auburn-Opelika Tourism. When our team continues to learn, grow and bring new ideas back to Auburn-Opelika, our entire destination benefits."
Gilmore will be formally recognized with the Marketing College Class of 2026 during a graduation ceremony Sept. 9 at the Southeast Tourism Society Connections Conference in Richmond, Virginia.
To learn more about Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College and the Travel Marketing Professional designation, visit southeasttourism.org.
About Auburn-Opelika Tourism
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. For more information, visit aotourism.com.