| OT earns three Mercury awards - including best campaign - at ESTO The Louisiana Office of Tourism took three 2016 Mercury Awards at the U.S. Travel Association's annual ESTO event in Boca Raton. Mercury Awards are the equivalent of the Oscars for state tourism offices, and LOT garnered top honors for Best Travel Website, Social Media Campaign and the Judges Choice Award for Best Overall Campaign.
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| Pictured: Alfredo Gonzalez, Vice President of International Sales and Marketing, Visit Florida; Kyle Edmiston, Assistant Secretary, Louisiana Office of Tourism; and, David Dodd, Vice President of Visitor Services, Visit Florida |
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500 attend Lt. Governor's Tourism Summit
Some 500 travel industry stakeholders attended the 2016 Lt. Governor's Tourism Summit in Shreveport. Joining Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser were state and local DMO representatives and spokesmen from Louisiana travel attractions, overnight and food providers, and regional and national travel editorial and advertising outlets. Activities included Nungesser's annual Louisiana travel industry update, several professional seminars and workshops, and stakeholder networking opportunities.
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2016-2017 LOT partnerships listed
LOT has compiled a list of all DMO partnership opportunities through June 2017. Opportunities include missions and special events, trade shows, ad campaigns, and grants. Applicable contacts are included.
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Event Impact Calculator unveiled by DMAI
Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) unveiled a new Event Impact Calculator at ESTO. The module measures economic value of events and calculates ROI in local tax revenue. DMOs can learn more about the calculator modules at online seminars REGISTER FOR ONLINE DEMOS
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Barry Landry |
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Barry Landry named new LOT Communications Director
Barry Landry is the new Director of Communications for LOT. A University of Louisiana-Lafayette alumnus and Denham Springs resident, Landry served for six years as Director of Public Affairs and Press Secretary for the state Department of Education, after a 20-year tenure in television news. Landry can be reached at [email protected] and at 225-342-8142.
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Jessilee Simien (above) and Betty Thompson (below) are presented certificates of service by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser
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Welcome Center counselors honored for 40-year tenures
Counselors Jessilee Simien and Betty Thompson were each recently honored for 40 years of service with LOT's Welcome Centers. Both serve at the Interstate 10 Eastbound center at Vinton.
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Louisiana covered in major Travel Weekly China feature
A multi-page Louisiana editorial and advertising combo was in the recent edition of Travel Weekly China, one of China's most prestigious and popular trade publications. The spread, made possible in part to Louisiana's ongoing Brand USA partnership, covered the entire state and the variety of activities offered.
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USA Today: Holly, Rutherford among best for beachcombers
USA Today recently included the Creole Nature Trail's Holly and Rutherford beaches among America's best for beachcombers. Author Terry Ward cited Louisiana's southwest Gulf coast as a treasure trove for shell collectors.
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Jackson Square, New Orleans |
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Jackson Square a TripAdvisor 'surging attraction'
The French Quarter's Jackson Square made a recent list of "surging attractions" among TripAdvisor users and the site's Attraction Trend Index. Data indicates neighborhoods are showing upticks in popularity, which explains why Chicago's Magnificent Mile, Portland's Pearl District, and Boston's Newberry Street also made the list.
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Breaux Bridge, Louisiana |
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Acadiana earns Southern Living "Girlfriend Getaways" nod
Acadiana led off Southern Living's recent picks for "Girlfriend Getaways." Food, music, Cajun culture and outdoor activities in and around Eunice, Lafayette, Mamou, New Iberia, and St. Martinville were the criteria that earned the nod.
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USS Kidd, Baton Rouge |
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AJC travel piece promotes Louisiana beyond NOLA
A recent Atlanta Journal-Constitution piece promoted travel in the state beyond New Orleans. Author Helen Cauley's piece promoted stops in and around Acadiana, Baton Rouge, and Lake Charles.
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Upcoming meetings & events
- Sept. 7– 9 Southeast Tourism Society Fall Forum, Birmingham, AL
- Sept. 10 – 16 Travel South USA Sales Mission to China, Beijing & Shanghai
- Sept. 17 – 20 Brand USA Germany mega fam
- Oct. 3 – 4 LOT/LTPA Culinary Trails Mission, Charleston, SC
- Sept. 21 – 22 LTPA Board Meeting, Marksville
- Oct. 24 – 26 Marketing Outlook Forum, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
- Nov. 7 – 9 World Travel Market, London
- Nov. 9 – 10 LACVB Meeting, Lafayette
- Nov. 28 – 30 Travel South International Showcase, Atlanta
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USTOA Annual Conference and Marketplace, Scottsdale, AZ
- Dec. 15 – 16 LTPA Board Meeting, Monroe
- Jan. 30 – Feb. 2 Louisiana sales mission, Paris and Lyon
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If you have comments or suggestions for future issues of Louisiana Travel Pulse, contact Jeff Richard at [email protected] or 225.342.7475. |
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