Louisiana Travel Association

Hospitality Internships is honored to have Kristen Johns (Louisiana Travel Association) as one of the founding members of our Industry Advisory Committee! Our newly launched Industry Advisory Committee (IAC) is tasked with enhancing the alignment of hospitality education with industry standards. A key initiative of this committee is to collaborate with academia to develop robust internship standards and create structured manager-in-training programs and entry-level management positions tailored to meet industry needs. A proud Louisiana native and graduate of Northwestern State University with a degree in Hospitality, Travel & Tourism, Kristen began her career with an internship at the Hilton on St. Charles in New Orleans, which laid the foundation for her journey in the hospitality industry. She advanced her career in sales at the New Orleans Convention Center, gaining valuable experience and insights before exploring sales roles outside of Louisiana. Now back in hospitality, she serves as the Director of Business Strategy, focusing on account receivables and working on the Louisiana Travel Association’s long-term growth and competitive positioning. Outside of work, Kristen and her husband, Josh, are parents to two sons, Lawrence and Cooper. They are an active family with a love for the outdoors, health, and fitness, and they are enthusiastic LSU fans. We look forward to working with Kristen as our committee aims to influence the development of a practical and forward-thinking approach to hospitality education. This committee will be essential in our efforts to connect students in hospitality, tourism, culinary arts, and sports management programs with top-quality internships, manager-in-training programs, entry-level management positions, and apprenticeships worldwide.

Hospitality Internships is honored to have Chris Landry (Louisiana Travel Association) as one of the founding members of our Industry Advisory Committee! Our newly launched Industry Advisory Committee (IAC) is tasked with enhancing the alignment of hospitality education with industry standards. A key initiative of this committee is to collaborate with academia to develop robust internship standards and create structured manager-in-training programs and entry-level management positions tailored to meet industry needs.   After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2006, Chris embarked on his hospitality career with Visit Lake Charles. In 2008, he joined LBA Hospitality and spent the next fifteen years as one of six Regional Directors of Sales (RDOS), supporting properties across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Currently, he serves as the President & CEO of the Louisiana Travel Association. In this role, he collaborates with the board of directors and staff to ensure the association's relevance within the Louisiana travel industry and to advance LTA's mission and vision for its diverse constituents. He and his wife, Leslie, live in Covington, Louisiana, with their two sons, Spencer and Bennett. They are avid sports enthusiasts, organizing many family activities around the schedules of Southern Miss, LSU, the New Orleans Saints, and the Houston Astros. We look forward to working with Chris as our committee aims to influence the development of a practical and forward-thinking approach to hospitality education. This committee will be essential in our efforts to connect students in hospitality, tourism, culinary arts, and sports management programs with top-quality internships, manager-in-training programs, entry-level management positions, and apprenticeships worldwide.

We are thrilled to announce our latest partnership with the Louisiana Travel Association! Through this collaboration, Hospitality Internships will offer an exclusive, deep discount on our packages to LTA’s 800+ members and we will donate a significant percentage of each sale to the Louisiana Tourism Fund. LTA is a trade association dedicated to strengthening Louisiana’s vibrant tourism industry through promotion, education, and advocacy. Their diverse membership includes attractions, hotels, bed & breakfasts, casinos, convention and visitors bureaus, municipalities, restaurants, service providers, product manufacturers, campgrounds/RV parks, receptive tour operators, and more. The Louisiana Tourism Fund is committed to nurturing the future of the travel and tourism industry by supporting continuing education opportunities, school programs, and students across Louisiana. Their mission is to create a brighter future for aspiring hospitality professionals through education, opportunity, and community. They believe in the transformative power of education and the boundless potential of passionate individuals, aiming to bridge the gap between education and industry to prepare the next generation of hospitality leaders. With a vision for an innovative, inclusive, and excellent hospitality sector, the Fund aspires to be a catalyst for change, driving progress and prosperity. Together, we’re building a stronger, more resilient future for Louisiana tourism! #HospitalityInternships #LouisianaTravel #ExclusiveOffer #TourismInnovation

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT🔦: Kyle Edmiston of Visit Lake Charles is a member of the Board of Directors at the Louisiana Travel Association! Swipe to learn more about Kyle!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS 📅 Save the date for the LTA Annual Meeting in Monroe on February 18, 2025! Join us for an evening of celebrating the best of Louisiana’s tourism industry!

Don't just take our word for, it hear straight from our alumni! Devan Corbello, Executive Director of Visit St. Francisville, shares why you won’t want to miss being a part of this year’s Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy! Application Deadline: December 2nd, 2024 For more information and to apply, visit https://lnkd.in/gZS9HkW2

Each year, we honor the exceptional individuals and organizations driving Louisiana’s tourism industry. Don’t miss the opportunity to be recognized—submit your nominations for the Louey Tourism Awards by November 19th! 🔗Submit your nominations here: https://lnkd.in/gc3KVZWW

⛳️ The 2024 LABI Foundation Golf Tournament was a hole-in-one! 🏌️♂️ LTA staff and the LCVB committee had a blast on the course! A big shoutout to Jambalaya Girl for keeping everyone fueled with her award-winning gator gumbalaya, and to Noel Family Distillery for keeping us refreshed all day long. Thank you to LABI for being incredible hosts and sharing in our mission of fostering economic growth in Louisiana! Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Jambalaya Girl NOËL Family Distillery

MEMBER MONDAY 👤 Dustin Gontarski, President of Compass Media, shares why LTA Membership matters!

Thank you 303 Magazine! We can’t wait to bring a taste of the bayou to Colorado!