Thompson, Annette: - Annette Thompson is a freelance journalist working out of Birmingham, Alabama, writing about destinations around the US and the world. She is a Past President for the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and is a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier and the Executive Women's Golf Association. Her work has appeared in online and in numerous magazines including USA Today's Go Escape, Best Years, Green Living, Homes, and Veterans' Affairs; the AAA magazines; CNN.com; USAToday.com; Unity magazine; and Marina Life magazine. She is also the author of the book Alabama Barbecue: Delicious Road Trips, and served as an award-winning editor for Southern Living magazine and books.

Gates, Verna: - For the past five years, Verna Gates has worked with Alabama Tourism to bring international, national and regional journalists to her beloved home state of Alabama as a contract press trip coordinator. She delights in showing people the famous, quirky and fascinating places from fine dining to hidden gems. Verna also works as a commentator for Troy Public Radio and produces and voices features and travel stories. In 2009, she was awarded a lifetime achievement award from the National Federation of Presswomen, the Communicator of Achievement Award. She has won numerous national awards for her articles. Her career began as one of the original 50 employees of CNN who worked to launch the network and has also reported for TIME Magazine and Reuters International News Service.