PRESS RELEASE


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2022


CVB Contact: Abby Wise
Phone: 318.387.5691
E-mail: awise@monroe-westmonroe.org


Abby Wise and Addison White graduate from the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy

Monroe-West Monroe, LA – The Louisiana Travel Association (LTA) celebrated the graduation of Abby Wise, Public Relations and Media Coordinator of Discover Monroe-West Monroe and Addison White, Multimedia Content Developer of Discover Monroe-West Monroe from the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy (LTLA) at the association’s 2022 Annual Meeting in Alexandria.

The 23 members of the LTLA class spent all of 2021 developing their leadership skills while learning from seasoned professionals from throughout the tourism industry. The goal of the program is to equip each class member with knowledge and skills that will enrich their tourism-related organizations, therefore strengthening the state-wide tourism industry.

“It was a great year learning more about the tourism industry and creating a network of strong professionals,” said Abby Wise, Discover Monroe-West Monroe Public Relations and Media Coordinator. “I am excited to put in action what I learned to help the Ouachita Parish tourism industry continue to grow.”

The graduating class of LTLA also includes: Christopher Aucion-Melohn, St. Charles Public School - Lafon Arts Center; Sibyl B Cannon, Tangipahoa CVB; Ray Cloutier, Lafayette CVC/TRAIL; Sondra Corbitt, Houma Area CVB; Liz Crews, Shreveport CTB; Anne Cummins, Natchitoches CVB; Chantel Deville, Houma Area CVB; Sarah Hill, Louisiana's Northshore/St. Tammany Parish TCC; Tara Johnson, Visit Lake Charles; Kristen Kelly Shiver, Visit Lake Charles; Amy Lee, Cane River National Heritage Area; Eugenie Mitchell, Lafayette CVC; Stephanie O'Rourke, Sleep Inn- AZM Hospitality; Serena Pandos, Visit BR/La Arts and Science Museum; Jady Regard, Cane River Pecan Company; Rebecca Taylor, Louisiana Life- Acadiana Profile; Kelly Shane Wells, Tangi Parish Government; Lisa Thibodaux, Visit BR/MPowerZone; Aly Velasquez, Shreveport CTB; AND Andre Watkins, River Parish Tourist Commission.

Members of the class gave back to the tourism industry by selecting businesses within the industry for pro-bono projects. The four separate groups developed a marketing plan for St. Martin Tourist Commission, social media solutions for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana Museum, a product development plan for the Wildcat Brothers Distillery, and a SWOT analysis for the Point Coupee Tourist Commission.

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Discover Monroe-West Monroe promotes Ouachita Parish as a destination for leisure travel, conventions, meetings, and sporting events creating a positive economic impact for our local community through increased visitor spending and sales tax collections. For more information about Discover Monroe-West Monroe, visit www.monroe-westmonroe.org.