A The industry premiere awards are presented to individuals and organizations from across the state

The Louisiana Travel Association (LTA) proudly announced Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission as the recipient of the prestigious “Major Event of the Year Award” at its Annual Meeting last week in Monroe, La.
 
This year, the LTA celebrated excellence in the Louisiana tourism industry by presenting 20 “Louey Awards” to outstanding individuals and organizations. These awards honor those who have made significant contributions to promoting and enhancing Louisiana's vibrant tourism landscape.
 
“We are thrilled to receive the “Major Event of the Year Award” for the 2024 USA National Karate Championship & US Jr. Team Trials from the Louisiana Travel Association,” said Ben Berthelot, President and CEO of Lafayette Travel.  “The economic impact and prestige our community received by hosting this event was tremendous, and it is already paying off with new opportunities to bid on other USA national events.
 
The winners of the 2025 Louey Awards are as follows:

  • Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau/Tourist Commission of the Year (budget up to $499,999): AVOYELLES COMMISSION OF TOURISM
  • Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau/Tourist Commission of the Year (budget from $500,000 - $999,999): SABINE PARISH TOURIST & RECREATION COMMISSION
  • Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau/Tourist Commission of the Year (budget from $1 million and above): DISCOVER MONROE-WEST MONROE
  • Tourism Campaign of the Year (budget up to $29,999) Platinum: CAJUN COAST TOURISM - SHRIMPLY DELICIOUS FOOD TRAIL
  • Tourism Campaign of the Year (budget up to $29,999) Gold: VISIT THE NORTHSHORE - ALL THE WAVES PODCAST
  • Tourism Campaign of the Year (budget of $30k and above) Platinum: VISIT BATON ROUGE: WITH A CAPITAL
  • Tourism Campaign of the Year (budget of $30k and above) Gold: ASCENSION PARISH TOURISM COMMISSION - LOUISIANA’S SWEET SPOT
  • Tourism Campaign of the Year (budget of $30k and above) Silver: VISIT LAKE CHARLES - AS MUCH JOY AS YOU CAN PACK IN
  • Attraction of Year: SHREVEPORT AQUARIUM
  • Accommodation of the Year: GOLDEN NUGGET LAKE CHARLES
  • Festival of the Year: 74TH ANNUAL LOUISIANA PEACH FESTIVAL
  • Event of the Year: THE MAW MAW WALKER
  • Restaurateur of the Year: TRACY CARTER
  • Restaurateur of the Year: HORST PFEIFER
  • Major Event of the Year: LAFAYETTE CONVENTION & VISITORS COMMISSION - 2024 USA NATIONAL KARATE CHAMPIONSHIP & US JR. TEAM TRIALS
  • Rising Star of the Year: DEVAN CORBELLO
  • Will Mangham Tourism Lifetime Achievement: MARK ROMIG
  • Victor Profis Travel Media: VITO ZUPPARDO, MILES PARTNERSHIP
  • Marion “Butch” Fox Advocacy Award: VIMAL “RICKY” PATEL
  • Louisiana Spirit Award: TICO SOTO

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 2023 and is the 4th highest employer in the state. For more information, visit LouisianaTravelAssociation.org.