Alicia Phelps

Alicia Phelps, the Executive Director of Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association, is a visionary leader who has been part of the collaborative effort of transforming the region into a thriving destination. Under her guidance, the organization has earned two prestigious state Destination Marketing Organization of the Year awards (2019 & 2023), fueling an $927 million annual economic engine. Her strategic leadership builds upon a foundation of experience, including tourism development in Historic Jonesborough and public relations at Emory & Henry College. Phelps, a graduate of Emory & Henry and King University, is a Certified Tourism Marketing Professional and an Appalachian Regional Commission Leadership Fellow. A 40 Under 40 honoree, she is committed to education, serving as an instructor for the hospitality and tourism certification at East Tennessee State University, and leading short-term rental workshops statewide. Her dedication extends beyond the office, encompassing her family farm, rental business, and a passion for genealogy, bourbon, muscle cars, and reshaping perceptions of Appalachia.