Loyal Blue Weekend wins 2019 Louey Award

Written by: Amanda Quimby Carrier, TMP

Loyal Blue Weekend is a Louisiana Tech game-weekend experience for locals and visitors created through a partnership with the Ruston Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau, City of Ruston, and Louisiana Tech University. The weekend includes Rock the Railroad concert series, outdoor pep rally, free shuttle services to the game, and Bulldog Brunch. Travis Napper and Amanda Carrier accepted the award on behalf of the event planning committee. LTA presented 16 Louey Awards to honor and showcase individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the Louisiana tourism industry.

“We were thrilled to bring this award for Loyal Blue Weekend home to Ruston,” says Travis Napper, CVB President/CEO. “To be recognized at the state level for what our college town does is an honor. This is a result of over 3 years of hard work between the CVB, the City, and LA Tech. The partnership we share is invaluable, and we can’t wait for even more great things to come.”

“It is our privilege to honor those in Louisiana’s tourism industry who work diligently every day to showcase our great culture to the rest of the world,” said Jill Kidder, LTA President and CEO. “Their work attracts more than 47 million visitors to Louisiana a year, stimulating the economy of the entire state.

The winners of the 2019 Louey Awards are as follows:

Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau/Tourist Commission of the Year (up to $499,999): Vermilion Parish Tourist Commission

Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau/Tourist Commission of the Year (budget from $500,000 - $999,999): Cajun Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau

Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau/Tourist Commission of the Year (budget from $1 million and above): Louisiana Northshore

Tourism Campaign/Promotion of the Year: Cajun Bayou Food Trail campaign from Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism

Festival/Event of the Year: Loyal Blue Weekends from Ruston Lincoln CVB

Attraction of Year: Kent Plantation House, Alexandria

Accommodation of the Year/Full-Service Lodging: Baton Rouge Marriott

Accommodation of the Year/Limited-Service Lodging: Courtyard Lake Charles

Accommodation of the Year/Bed & Breakfast: Blue Heron Bed and Breakfast, Mandeville

Restaurateur of the Year: Jacques Rodrigue, Blue Dog Café

Campground RV/Park of the Year: Cajun Palms RV Resort, Henderson

Governmental Friend of Tourism: Representative Cameron Henry

Governmental Friend of Tourism: Senator Sharon Hewitt

Victor Profis Travel Media: Wynne Waltman, Graham Group

Rising Star of the Year: Morgan Moss, The Myrtles Plantation

Will Mangham Tourism Lifetime Achievement: Governor Kathleen Blanco

About the Ruston Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Ruston Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau is a destination marketing organization that works to create, preserve and enhance a variety of quality visitor experiences through the promotion of Lincoln Parish. For more information, visit www.experienceruston.com.

About the Louisiana Travel Association

LTA is a trade association leading and strengthening Louisiana’s vibrant tourism industry through promotion, education and advocacy on behalf of our members. Tourism generated $1.8 billion for Louisiana in 2017 and employs more than 236,000 people throughout the state. For more information, visit www.louisianatravelassociation.org.