August 19, 2008--The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center in Mobile has been named Alabama’s 2008 Attraction of the Year. The awards ceremony took place on Tuesday, August 12, during the state Governor’s Conference on Tourism at the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover.
 
The Exploreum is repeatedly one of Alabama’s most-visited attractions and has become known for bringing international blockbuster exhibits to the state. In the past year, it hosted two blockbuster exhibitions that brought nearly one-quarter of a million visitors to Alabama. The world premier exhibit A Day In Pompeii brought in more than 143,790 visitors. More than 68 percent of those or 91,000 traveled from outside the metropolitan area. The economic impact of the exhibit is estimated at more than $8.7 million dollars. The center also showcased the exhibit Our Body: The Universe Within that was seen by more than 100,000 visitors. According to statistics, this attraction was the most visited in the state and it is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

“It is with great honor to be named Alabama’s 2008 Attraction of the Year,” said Mike Sullivan, Executive Director, Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center (pictured here receiving the award from Alabama Governor Bob Riley). “As a nonprofit organization, we are committed to giving back to our community, from the local level to the state level. By hosting exciting, thought-provoking experiences that attract visitors from all over the world, we strive to make an impact within Alabama’s tourism, economic and education sectors,” said Sullivan.

The Exploreum has earned a regional reputation for educating and entertaining visitors of all ages and has been voted the number one family attraction by the people of south Alabama for six straight years. This nonprofit facility is able to accomplish all this while focusing on its mission to bring science education to the people of the Gulf Coast.

Tourism leaders throughout the state along with Governor Riley and First Lady Patsy Riley were present for the black-tie event that honors the best in Alabama tourism in 13 categories.

Alabama Tourism Director Lee Sentell, Birmingham News Writer Roy Williams and Fox 6 Good Day Alabama Anchor Rick Journey hosted the awards ceremony.

Criteria for the award include outstanding performance, outstanding economic impact statistics, quality and effectiveness of marketing efforts, additions and/or improvements designed to increase appeal to tourists, increased attendance and the enhancement of local, regional or state image as a tourist destination.

The award presented is among 13 for 2008 that comprise the Alabama Tourism Awards. The awards were first presented in 1998 and honor outstanding achievements in the state’s tourism industry. Each award winner is recognized as a key player in making tourism a strong economic force. Tourism contributed $9.3 billion to Alabama’s economy in 2007 and supported 170,000 jobs statewide. An estimated 22.4 million people visited the state last year.