Posted on February 2, 2011
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AND THE LOUEY GOES TO…
Louisiana’s best honored during the 2011 Travel and Tourism Industry Summit
Baton Rouge, La (Jan. 27, 2011) – More than ten members of Louisiana’s tourism industry were recognized by the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association, LTPA, and more than 300 of their peers for their tremendous efforts to advance the state’s tourism industry at the Louey Awards luncheon, Thursday, January 27, at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center during the 2011 Travel and Tourism Industry Summit.
“Louey awards are given to members and friends of the tourism industry who have gone the extra mile to promote and even protect Louisiana’s tourism industry,” said Darienne Mobley, Co-Executive Director, LTPA. “It is truly an honor to receive a Louey because it is one of the few awards in the state that is exclusive to tourism businesses, events and professionals.”
Members of the industry from across the state received honors for Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau, CVB, /Tourist Commission of the year which included three budget categories–up to $249,999; $250,000 – $749,999; and $750,000 and above. Others were Event of the Year; Attraction of the Year; Tourism Campaign of the Year; Governmental Friend of Tourism; LTPA Associate Member of the Year; Victor Profis Memorial Travel Media Louey; Legislative Friend of Tourism given to a state representative and state senator and the Will Mangham Lifetime Achievement Louey.
Outstanding Tourist Commission of the Year, budget up to $249,999 was awarded to St. Martin Parish Tourist Commission for capitalizing on the power of partnerships and regional marketing in order to get the most out of every dollar spent and to increase the reach of their brand and recognition as “the place where Cajun began”.
Outstanding Tourist Commission of Year, budget of $250,000 – $749,999 was awarded to Sabine Parish Tourist and Recreation Commission for their extensive knowledge of their product and also their market. Sabine parish has a diverse market that includes both retiree’s and young adults and the tourist commission does an outstanding job to reach both audiences.
Outstanding CVB of the Year, budget of $750,000 and above went to the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, CVC, for being an innovative leader in marketing and promoting the Lafayette area. Lafayette CVC has several tourism events and assets to promote and always does a remarkable job of promoting all the area has to offer; even if the events happen to fall on the same weekend such as the ULL Ragin Cajun’s national televised football game and Festival Acadiens et Créoles.
Event of the Year was awarded to Tales of the Cocktail. This enjoyable and spirited event generates a major economic impact on Louisiana and draws crowds from Canada, the United Kingdom, New York and Texas to name a few.
Attraction of the Year was for Destrehan Plantation; the oldest documented plantation home in the lower Mississippi Valley. This well-known attraction does an outstanding job of celebrating the heritage of days gone by and connecting the state’s past to its present.
Tourism Campaign of the Year was awarded to Deveney Communications for their implementation of a statewide oil response campaign that provided tourism professionals with creative strategies for addressing the issues and also capitalizing on the positive things taking place in Louisiana. This plan was and continues to be successful in helping the tourism industry combat negative perceptions that have resulted from the oil spill.
Governmental Friend of Tourism was presented to Charlene Beckett with the Abbeville Main Street Program. Since 1994, Charlene has been working closely with her tourist commission, chamber of commerce, and local film and visitors commission to successfully produce more than 25 programs/events for the Vermilion area; some of these events were so successful that they have continued on as annual events.
LTPA Associate Member of the Year went to Craig Marinello, owner of Next Step Resources, LLC, who has been a member of LTPA for eleven years. In 2006, he opened Next Step Resources that specializes in business coaching, strategic planning and employment development and has been sharing his expertise with LTPA members and even the board of directors and executive committee ever since. He is truly a member that delights in giving back to the tourism industry.
Victor Profis Memorial Travel Media Louey is given in honor of Vicitor Profis who became a friend of Louisiana’s tourism industry through his work with Southern Living magazine. This year’s Louey was given to Susan Ford, Publisher of Louisiana Cookin’ magazine, for always acting in the tourism industry’s best interest. Even though she stays busy producing her own publication, she never turns down the opportunity to serve on a committee, or put on an event that benefits the tourism industry.
Legislative Friend of Tourism was awarded to State Representative Sam Jones and State Senator Mike Walsworth. Representative Sam Jones represents District 50 that includes parts of St. Mary, Iberia and St. Martin Parishes. Representative Jones was chosen for this award for his leadership in authoring and passing amendment 582 during the 2010 session to protect Visitor Enterprise Funds that are vital to the operation of several convention and visitors bureaus and tourist commissions across the state. Senator Mike Walsworth represents District 33 that includes parts of Claiborne, Morehouse, Ouachita, Union and West Carroll Parishes. Senator Walsworth was chosen for this award for his instrumental leadership in passing legislation to create the bicentennial commission that organizes the state’s celebration of the Louisiana Purchase; this includes the 2012 celebration that will commemorate the state’s 200 years of existence.
Will Mangham Lifetime Achievement Award went to Zeb Mayhew, President of Oak Alley Plantation Restaurant and Inn. For the past thirty-five years Zeb has been preserving Louisiana’s River Region and has molded Oak Alley Plantation into one of the country’s most recognized attractions. This very plantation was selected as the Iconic Image of the Louisiana Great River Road by the National Scenic Byway of the Great River Road. Zeb also played a major role in the development of Plantation Parade Association, a collaborative partnership of River Road plantations that work together to promote tourism to the River Region.
Contact for questions:
Lauren Bodin
Communications Manager
225.408.4027
