News
Member Spotlight – Dr. Yvette Green
March 16, 2026 |Member Spotlight: Dr. Yvette Green Professor Department Chair, School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration Director, Hospitality Research Center University of New Orleans Dr. Green has been at UNO for 24 years. Before her career in academia, Dr. Green has professional experience in restaurant management, banquets and catering, and resort management. She serves… Read More »
Member Spotlight – Sandra Dartus
March 16, 2026 |Member Spotlight: Sandra Dartus, CFEE Event Consultant – Fostering Community Partnerships Sandra Savoye Dartus has spent her career bringing people together through the power of events, culture, and community. A passionate advocate for New Orleans and the people who shape its spirit, she specializes in creating experiences that celebrate the city while making a meaningful difference. Today, Sandra… Read More »
Member Spotlight – Leslie Brewer
March 16, 2026 |Member Spotlight: Leslie Brewer Sales & Marketing Director Destrehan Plantation + Houmas House Estate & Gardens Leslie Brewer’s hometown just happened to be one of the most well-known international tourist destinations – New Orleans. This is where she began her tourism career, which has continued for more than 34 years. She currently holds the position of Director of Marketing… Read More »
Member Spotlight – Laine Garner
March 16, 2026 |Member Spotlight: Laine Garner Sr. Vice President of Sales, Membership & Education for Louisiana Travel Association Laine has been at LTA for 17 years. Among many of her responsibilities, she represents LTA members at national trade shows in the group market for both domestic and international travel as well as promoting small businesses across the state at shows for… Read More »
Member Spotlight – Denise Thevenot
March 16, 2026 |Member Spotlight: Denise Thevenot Campus Territory Manager, GRUBHUB Past MSWIT President For over 30 years Denise Thevenot's name was synonymous with the very impressive Louisiana Tax Free Shopping program. From 2007 to 2021 as Executive Director, Denise ran the entire program which was an entity under the Louisiana Department of Revenue. This program, which was unique to Louisiana, helped put our… Read More »
Member Spotlight – Carolyn Barrett
March 16, 2026 |Member Spotlight: Carolyn Barrett Executive Director of Visit Kenner + Executive Director of Rivertown Main Street MSWIT Board Member/Secretary Carolyn has built an accomplished career in the hospitality industry, holding leadership roles as Hotel Sales Manager, Director of Sales and Marketing, and Senior Sales Manager for an area CVB. She now serves as Executive Director of Visit Kenner, which she… Read More »
Member Spotlight – Andrea Thornton
March 16, 2026 |Member Spotlight: Andrea Thornton Manager, Lanaux House & Tourism Consultant Andrea Thornton has done what she refers to as “the full Monte”. After many years as Tour and Travel Director at the Hotel Monteleone, she left to open her own Receptive Tour Operation and Travel Agency called Tours by Andrea. Tours by Andrea successfully operated for 10 years,growing from… Read More »
Member Spotlight – Peggy Benoit
March 16, 2026 |Member Spotlight: Peggy Benoit Owner of True Louisiana Tours LLC Peggy started working in tourism in 1988 at Oak Alley Plantation and spent over a decade there in various positions before taking a job in loan servicing at Whitney Bank. This job was short lived once she realized that tourism was her passion. In 1999 she began… Read More »
Member Spotlight: Angela Aspiazu
March 16, 2026 |Member Spotlight: Angela Aspiazu Co-Founder/Managing Partner, New Orleans Secrets Certified Travel Advisor, Fora Travel MSWIT Board Member/Parlamentarium Angela Aspiazu may have been born in the Midwest, but New Orleans is where she found her heart. With a background as both a creative director and finance professional, Angela once considered herself indifferent to history. That changed instantly during a pivotal business trip to New… Read More »
Member Spotlight – Kenisha Richard
March 16, 2026 |Member Spotlight: Kenisha Richard Catering & Conference Services Manager The Windsor Court Kenisha Richard is a seasoned hotel sales and event execution professional with over 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry. She specializes in catering sales, meeting and event planning with a passion for crafting unforgettable experiences and bringing a unique blend of creativity, precision, and strategic… Read More »