PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2026

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

Discover Monroe-West Monroe Announces Winners from Golden Heron Awards

MONROE-WEST MONROE, La. – Discover Monroe-West Monroe (DMWM) ended an evening of tourism updates, dinner, champagne toasting and award recognitions Thursday night during the Golden Heron Awards at The Hotel Monroe’s Opera House Ballroom.

While honoring 50 years of tourism in Ouachita Parish, DMWM spotlighted President and CEO Alana Cooper and her work in tourism of 30 years.

After DMWM showed a video with the 50 individuals featured in its recently released Faces of Tourism digital magazine, hosts Chief Meteorologist Jarod Floyd and Miss Louisiana 2025, Gabrelle McLeod introduced the 5 Star Recognitions. They announced twenty (20) 5 Star Recognitions in between presentations of the main awards:

Golden Heron Awards

- Association Meeting Event of the Year: 2025 State Workshop of The Epsilon Omicron chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated – Nanadeaner McDowell and Deionne Kline
- Tourism Events Excellence Award: National Cutting Horse Association – Eastern National Championship; Shianne Megel – Director of Shows
- Louisiana State Games Event Operator Award: Mike McDaniel with Louisiana State Games Track and Field
- Signature Stay Award: Quality Inn West Monroe – Lynde Eastman and Chitquita Massey
- Volunteer of the Year Award: Kanzadia Brothers
- Tourism Ambassador of the Year Award: Steve Birmingham
- Restaurant of the Year: Flying Heart Brewing & Pub
- Volunteer Group of the Year: Louisiana LunaChicks of NELA
- Holiday Spirit Award: Geaux Bright – Paul Thomas and Kyler Thomas
- Attraction of the Year: Duck Commander Store and Museum
Julia Trichell Award: Janie Russ


5 Star Recognitions

1. Betty Rigal, West Monroe Sports and Events
2. CeCe McGhee, Delta Biscuit
3. Colton Bernstein, ULM Rec Services
4.Phyllis Foster, Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum
5. Edgie Cowart, Southern Hospitality Services
6. Ebony Hargrove, Fairfield Inn West Monroe
7. Kelli Grabener, Holiday Inn Express
8. Etheldra Sharp, Wingate by Wyndham
9. Fernando Swan, The Hotel Monroe
10. Shirley Stewart, Monroe Regional Airport
11. Jennalee Shows, Landry Vineyards
12. Tyler Thrailkill, West Monroe Sports and Events
13. Mya Smith, Parish Restaurant and Sushi KōKō
14. Ani Girey, Local Photographer
15. Lee Carter, Mohawk Restaurant
16. Mark Henderson, Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo
17. Hollie Boudreaux, Chennault Aviation & Military Museum
18. Jim Kolinski, Black Bayou Lake NWR
19. Glen Howland, Christmas at the Biedenharn
20. Brandi Majeska, Louisiana LunaChicks of NELA


For more information on winners, contact Vice President of Marketing and Communications Sheila Snow: ssnow@monroe-westmonroe.org.


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 https://www.monroe-westmonroe.org/