LAFAYETTE, 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 at City Club in River Ranch.
“For more than 60 years, LTA has served as a leading advocate for Louisiana’s tourism industry,” said Chris Landry, LTA president and CEO. “We are proud to welcome leaders from across the state, selected by our members, who will help advance our mission to advocate, educate, and promote an industry that supports jobs, communities, and Louisiana’s economy.”
2026 LTA of Officers:
- Chair: Nelson Gumm, AJR Media Group
- Vice-Chair: Carla Tate, Tangi Tourism
- Treasurer: Adrienne Breaux, The Royal Sonesta
- Secretary: Timothy Bush, Visit Lake Charles
- Immediate Past Chair: Donna O’Daniels, Visit The Northshore
2026 LTA New Directors:
- Paige Alost, Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau
- John Bennett, Gray Media
- Amanda Carrier, Experience Ruston
- Dustin Gontarski, Compass Media
- Adrienne Hennis, Advance Travel & Tourism
- Laci Laperouse, Visit St. Martin Parish
- Joshua Robinson, LIVE! Casino
2026 Returning Directors:
- Jay Artigues, Southeastern Louisiana University Athletics
- Scott Ballard, Ballard Brands
- Ben Berthelot, Lafayette Travel
- Joan Botts, Paragon Casino & Resort
- Leslie Brewer, Destrehan Plantation & Houmas House
- Stacy Brown, Visit Shreveport-Bossier
- Ralph Calhoun, Biedenharn Museum & Gardens
- Alana Cooper, Discover Monroe-West Monroe
- Sondra Corbitt, Explore Houma
- Georgia Craven, Sabine Parish Tourist & Recreation Commission
- Aaron Dirks, Joieful
- Jay Ducote, JDD Consulting LLC
- Kyle Edmiston, Visit Lake Charles
- Cody Gray, Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou
- John Grubb, Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership
- Greg Hennagin, Golden Nugget Lake Charles
- Stephen Hightower, University Club Baton Rouge
- David Johnson, Renaissance Baton Rouge
- Jill Kidder, Visit Baton Rouge
- Walt Leger, New Orleans & Co.
- Violet Peters, Visit Jefferson Parish
- Kristen Preau, Jambalaya Girl
- Jady Regard, Cane River Pecan Company
- Jill Dryden Silva, Deep South Today
- Sally Stiel, LSU Alumni Association
- Justin Vincent, Tiger Athletic Foundation
- Katie Vanderlick, Explore Alexandria- Pineville
- Vito Zuppardo, Miles Partnership
- Rebecca Blankenbaker, Cane River National Heritage Area, Ex-Officio
- Doug Bourgeois, Louisiana Office of Tourism, Ex-Officio
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About the Louisiana Travel Association
The Louisiana Travel Association (LTA) is the statewide trade organization dedicated to leading and strengthening Louisiana’s tourism industry through advocacy, education, and promotion. In 2024, tourism generated $2 billion for the state and remains the fourth-largest employer. For more information, visit LouisianaTravelAssociation.org.