PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2024

CVB Contact: Alana Cooper
Phone: 318.387.5691
E-mail: acooper@monroe-westmonroe.org

Alana Cooper Installed on Louisiana Travel Association Board of Directors

Monroe-West Monroe, LA – The Louisiana Travel Association (LTA) installed a group of tourism industry leaders as new officers for its executive committee and board of directors after the completion of the association’s Annual Meeting on January 16th
at Harrah’s New Orleans.

“I am honored to continue serving LTA. This organization works to lead and strengthen Louisiana’s tourism industry and I look forward to working with my fellow board members to keep the momentum going,” said Alana Cooper, Discover Monroe-West Monroe President/CEO.

2024 LTA Officers:

Chair Ralph Ney, Baton Rouge Marriott
Vice-Chair Donna O’Daniels, Louisiana Northshore
Treasurer Nelson Gumm, AJR Media Group
Secretary Carla Tate, Tangi Tourism
Immediate Past Chair Alana Cooper, Discover Monroe-West Monroe

2024 New Directors:

Leslie Brewer, Destrehan Plantation
Kristen Preau, Jambalaya Girl
Jay Artigues, Southeastern Louisiana University Athletics
Georgia Craven, Toledo Bend Lake Country

Returning directors:

Stephen Hightower, City Group Hospitality
Vimal “Ricky” Patel, Divi Hospitality
Adrienne Breaux, Hyatt Centric French Quarter & The Eliza Jane
John Grubb, Cook Hotel & Conference Center
Jay Ducote, JDD Consulting LLC
Scott Ballard, Ballard Brands
Jay Sharplin, SharpCo Hotels
Stacy Brown, Shreveport-Bossier CTB
Walt Leger, New Orleans & Company
Jill Kidder, Visit Baton Rouge
Sondra Corbitt, Houma Area CVB
Ben Berthelot, Lafayette CVC
Ralph Calhoun, Biedenharn Museum & Gardens
Cody Gray, Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou
Aaron Dirks, Limousine Livery
Vito Zuppardo, Miles Partnership
Kyle Edmiston, Visit Lake Charles
Violet Peters, Visit Jefferson Parish
Adrienne Hennis, Advance Travel & Tourism
Mike Buckley, Golden Nugget
Morgan Moss, The Myrtles Plantation & Blue House Hospitality
Jady Regard, Cane River Pecan Company
Justin Vincent, Tiger Athletic Foundation
Rebecca Blankenbaker, Cane River National Heritage Area, Ex-Officio
Doug Bourgeois, Louisiana Office of Tourism, Ex-Officio

The executive board also includes representatives from each organization who join LTA as a Chairman’s Circle member: Visit Baton Rouge, Houma Area CVB, Lafayette CVC, Visit Lake Charles, Monroe-West Monroe CVB, New Orleans & Co., Louisiana Northshore, Shreveport-Bossier CTB and Tangipahoa Parish CVB.

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About Discover Monroe-West Monroe:
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.

About the Louisiana Travel Association:
LTA is a trade association leading and strengthening Louisiana’s vibrant tourism industry through advocacy, education, and promotion on behalf of our members. Tourism generated $1.9 billion for Louisiana in 2022 and is the 4th highest employer in the state. For more information, visit LouisianaTravelAssociation.org.