NATCHITOCHES BRINGS HOME TWO LOUISIANA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION “LOUEY AWARDS”
Annual awards recognize best of the Louisiana tourism industry
Charenton, La. – The Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau was awarded two “Louey Awards” during the LouisianaTravel Association (LTA) Annual Membership Meeting on Jan. 30, 2020 in Charenton, La.
TheNatchitoches Area CVB was named theOutstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau/Tourist Commission of the Year (Budget $499,000 and under)and the Blush and Bashful Weekend campaign was awarded Tourism Campaign of the Year (budget up to $29,999).
The Natchitoches CVB’s 2019 successes included the launch of a new film trail and the hosting of the International Conference for the Jefferson Highway Association.
“With full-time staff of three, this organization proves that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. Their leadership and strategic partnerships throughout the community have resulted in $97 million of local spending, supporting more than 1,370 jobs,” the announcer said during the award luncheon.
“The staff and I are very proud to receive these awards and will bring them back to the Natchitoches community,” says Arlene Gould, Executive Director of the Natchitoches CVB.“We get the opportunity daily to greet visitors from around the world at our office and we will proudly display these new awards on the front counter for all to see.”
For the Blush and Bashful Weekend, the CVB brought together local partners to host several events including an Easter egg hunt, armadillo cake contest, star look-a-like contest, and more to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the release of the Steel Magnolia movie.
The weekend was a huge success for the area, selling out seven bed & breakfasts, five hotels and three movie theatre screens. There were 84 mentions of the movie and city in the press, totalling over 287 million impressions.
“We cannot do what we do every day without the events to promote and the organizations that work hard to pull those events together,” said Gould.“For the Blush and Bashful event, we thank the Natchitoches Service League, Natchitoches Historic Foundation, Association for Preservation Historic Natchitoches, Steel Magnolia House B&B, Parkway Cinema, Louisiana State Museum, NSU’s Hospitality Management and Tourism Department, and many others who helped create a special weekend. This award wouldn’t have been possible without them.”
This year, LTA presented 19 “Louey Awards” to honor and showcase individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the Louisiana tourism industry.
The LTA Louey Award winners also include: Ruston-Lincoln Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau, Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau/Tourist Commission of the Year (budget from $500,000 - $999,999); Visit Lake Charles, Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau/Tourist Commission of the Year (budget from $1 million and above); New Orleans at World Pride, Tourism Campaign of the Year (budget of $30,000 and above); Rougarou Fest, Festival/Event of the Year; Gator Chateau, Attraction of Year; Windsor Court Hotel, Accommodation of the Year/Full-Service Lodging; Hotel Cazan, Accommodation of the Year/Limited-Service Lodging; USA Boxing, Major Event of the Year; Bienvenue Mon Ami Bed & Breakfast, Accommodation of the Year/Bed & Breakfast; Dave Evans of Luna Bar & Grill, Restaurateur of the Year; Indian Creek Recreation Area, Campground/RV Park of the Year; 2019 Destination Downtown - Hammond, Community Partnership of the Year; Representative Stephen Dwight, Legislative Travel Champion; Senator Troy Carter, Legislative Travel Champion; Nelson Gumm, Victor Profis Travel Media; Taylor Beard Stanley with Visit Lake Charles, Rising Star of the Year; and Linda Curtis-Sparks with the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission, Will Mangham Tourism Lifetime Achievement.
About the Louisiana Travel Association, LTA
LTA is a trade association leading and strengthening Louisiana’s vibrant tourism industry through promotion, education and advocacy on behalf of our members. Tourism generated $1.9 billion for Louisiana in 2018 and employs more than 237,200 people throughout the state. For more information, visit LouisianaTravelAssociation.org.
###
Contact:
Kelli West, Director of Marketing & Communications
Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
318-352-8072
media@natchitoches.com