Latest News Archives - MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism

Member Spotlights: (Alphabetical by Last Name)

Bobbi Mannino — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 23:03:50 +0000

Member Spotlight:
Peggy Benoit
Owner
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 working for the Bayou Lafourche Area CVB, now known as Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism. She spent 16 years there as Tourism Sales Manager and then spent 7 years at Carmel Inn & Suites as Director of Sales while also working as Director of Business Development for TripShock…a position she held for 10 years.

Peggy started True Louisiana Tours as a sideline to her other jobs, and, after the pandemic, she decided to dedicate herself to her own company & passions.

Peggy has served on the LTA Board and Past President of the E.D. White Historic Site, Louisiana State Museum – Thibodaux. She joined MSWIT in 2014 and serves on the Board as Historian for MSWIT New Orleans & also serves on MSWIT Capital Region Chapter.

She and her devoted husband Linton have been married for 30 years and have two grown sons, Donnie and Roy as well as a grandson Dakoda who will be graduating high school in the spring.

Peggy’s favorite part of being a MSWIT member is the relationships acquired. “There’s always someone I can turn to for advice on both a professional and personal level.”

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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 and Sales at Destrehan Plantation, Living History Museum in Destrehan, La. and Houmas House Estate and Gardens, Darrow, La.

Her strong background in group sales, operations and business development is the product of over 30 years of work in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Leslie’s past experience includes Chairperson for the Tour and Travel Development Committee for the Asheville CVB, Tour & Travel Sales Mgr. for The Biltmore, DOS for the Culinary Institute of New Orleans, Tour & Travel Sales Mgr. for Harrah’s Casino, Dir. of Operations & Sales for Longue Vue House & Gardens, GM of Grenoble House & DOS at the Park Inn Int’l.

Leslie has served on the Louisiana Tourist Development Commission and officer/board of La. Attraction Assn., La. Travel Promotion Assn, Louisiana B & B Assn, Hospitality Education Networking Assn (formerly HSMA). She currently serves on the Boards of La. Travel Association and both MSWIT – N.O. and MSWIT Central Region.

“As a member for over 30 years, MSWIT has always allowed me great networking opportunities as well has helped me build long lasting relationships.”

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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 serves as the Community Engagement and Planning Coordinator for the New Orleans Jazz Museum’s Improvisations Gala, where she builds relationships and develops partnerships that help sustain the museum’s mission. Over the years, her consulting work has supported beloved celebrations such as FestiGals, NOLA ChristmasFest, and the Louisiana Pirate Festival — always with a focus on empowerment, collaboration, and cultural authenticity.

Sandra is best known for her longtime leadership as the original Executive Director of French Quarter Festivals, Inc., for the first 20 years of French Quarter Festival and led the effort to create Christmas New Orleans Style (now Holiday New Orleans Style) and Satchmo SummerFest into treasured traditions with major economic and cultural impact. She was also the founding director of the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience and the Dallas City Arts Celebration, and has produced Caroling in Jackson Square for several years.

Her work has earned her numerous honors, including recognition as one of New Orleans’ “300 for 300” in the Tricentennial Tribute, the Spirit of Hospitality Lifetime Achievement Award, Ambassador of the Year for the New Orleans Chamber, and several distinctions celebrating her leadership, creativity, and service. She has even been honored with her own scholarship fund and a festival in her name — a testament to how deeply she is woven into New Orleans’ cultural fabric.

Beyond her professional achievements, Sandra is a devoted volunteer and community leader. She currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for Historic BK House & Gardens and proudly supports organizations throughout the city that preserve history, uplift women, and nurture the tourism and hospitality workforce of the future. She is passionate about travel and her grandchildren.

At the heart of everything she does is a simple belief: when people come together with purpose and passion, great things happen — and New Orleans inspires the best of both.

Sandra became a MSWIT member when it was MidSouth Women in Travel in the 80’s when membership was a small group of mostly travel agents. She’s watched us blossom into Women in Tourism and become 180 + members strong, encompassing virtually every segment of the industry and developing a culture of camaraderie and support that’s so rare, especially among women competitors.

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Member Spotlight:
Christy Dillard
Event Guru
Game On Social Hub

MSWIT’s current President, Christy Dillard, has been in the business of fun for over 25 years with Game On Social Hub… (previously known as Laser Tag). She says she doesn’t sell a product, she sells an experience!

Christy helps people host one-of-a-kind events from 5-500 guests – one was even her wedding! She likes to say “if you think Game On Social Hub is just for kids- you’re missing out on some amazing fun. Where else can you go and the only responsibility you have is trying to NOT get shot by your friends, or which drink or food you want? Why should the kids have all the fun?”

Christy is a boy mom of 2 and has been married to hubby Ricky Dillard for 20 years…as well as her co-worker for 24 years. She is a founding member of Dance Fleur Elite Dance team which participates in parades, fundraisers and special performances.

Christy is a Houma Indian and can dance traditional Native American dance. She also is a part of her dad’s band- The Gray Hawk Band, where she sings backup as well as plays the trumpet. This is only a little of the onion that is Christy!

Her favorite thing about being a part of MSWIT is the amazing sisterhood that is this organization.

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Member Spotlight:

Laine Garner
Sr. Vice President of Sales, Membership & Education
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 the S.M.E.R.F. market!

Laine has been married to her husband, Robert, for 30 years and has a son, Jonathan, who is now 18 years old.

Laine’s favorite part of being a MSWIT member has been getting to know all the great women in our club and assisting them with marketing and educational opportunities LTA provides to its members!

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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 mananagement. She serves as the Academic Advisor for the Louisiana Association Education Foundattion as well as a member of the Board of Directors for the Greater New Orlenas Chapter of the Louisiana Restaurant Association. Dr. Green is faculty advisor for the UNO Hospitality Student Association and is a member of Skal International New Orleans and International Council of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Association.

Dr. Green conducts industry training seminars and serves as team ambassador for the National Restaurant Association ProStart Leadership Invitational. She has published numerous articles in hospitality and tourism management journals as well as presented her research at hospitality and tourism conferences worldwide.

Dr. Green is also Yvette, Doc or Granty (if you knew her back in grad school). MSWIT has been honored to have Yvette as an active member since 2017 and we loved having her as a model in our Biennial Fashion Show. Her favorite part about attending MSWIT meetings is the camaraderie, sisterhood, education and opportunities to connect with awesome like-minded women who are making a difference every day.

She is married to Ronald Green for 29yrs and has two great teenagers, Camille, 16, and Ronald, 13, who are attending Kenner Discovery Health and Science Academy. Yvette’s favorite hobby is to unwind with puzzle books. She is a pescatarian who loves all things chocolate and sweets. Her favorite vacations are traveling to see family or taking a trip to the beach to read a good book with her toes in the sand. Finally, she is learning all about the world of Pokémon and catching them with her kids.

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Member Spotlight:

Nikki Jackson
Director of Sales and Marketing
Hotel Indigo New Orleans French Quarter

Nikki has been in hospitality for over 30 years.

She began her career as a Front Desk Agent and moved her way up to sales over the years. She has a great love for our Louisiana hospitality industry. It’s “home” for her.

Nikki is a graduate of the Louisiana Travel Association’s Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy’s Inaugural class of 2015 which is a program that unites accomplished leaders who have significantly impacted Louisiana’s tourism industry. Through LTLA, these experts share their knowledge, educate, and train the next generation of tourism leaders, ensuring a bright future for our state’s travel sector.

Outside of Nikki’s sales career, she has been a Brazilian Samba dancer since she was 18 years old, and is currently a NOLA LOLA Dancer. She says dancing stimulates the mind, body and soul. “It has been proven to increase cognitive strengths and prolong life; that is the miracle of dance and why I love it so much”.

Nikki is also a mother to a beautiful daughter and grandmother to a precious little guy. They are the reasons for everything she does!

Nikki has been a member of MSWIT since 2014 and has met so many amazing women in hospitality. Many of these women she considers her mentors and have taught her so much about this industry, especially in her role as Director of Sales. She loves the monthly meetings and spending time with all our likeminded women.

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Member Spotlight:

Amy Kirk Duvoisin
Events and Sponsorship Manager, WWOZ-FM
President & Founder – Joan of Arc Project a.k.a. the Joan of Arc Parade on Twelfth Night in the FQ

Amy has been a busy woman since she moved to New Orleans in 2004. She has worked for Louisiana Children’s Museum, Pelican Publishing, IHeart Radio (then Clear Channel), French Market Corporation, Jefferson Performing Arts, and now at WWOZ as their Events and Sponsorship Manager. Every summer since 2022, she teaches a storytelling and social media course for the Young Public Scholars Program at Tulane University.

In 2008, she founded the Joan of Arc Project, which produces the annual Joan of Arc Parade (on Joan’s birthday, January 6th), Joan of Art Contest, and Salon de Jeanne d’Arc conference. Amy’s story is about entrepreneurship and cultural tourism, taking advantage of the opportunity to combine history and fun in an authentic, non-commercial manner. While the Joan of Arc procession kicks off the Mardi Gras season, it’s not a typical parade. Throws are hand-made and every element has a story, from what people wear to the themes of the vignettes or groups within the parade. People now come in just for this event and it really showcases our French Heritage connection.

She has served on the boards of Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival, FestiGals, AFP, FQBA, and currently serves on the board of Alliance Francaise New Orleans.

When not coordinating events for WWOZ or Joan of Arc, or doing freelance writing, marketing, or fundraising, she is hanging out with her awesome teenage daughter; digging in the dirt in her Metairie yard; exploring local cuisine with her husband, reading, and exploring and experiencing our bountiful local arts and culture.

What Amy likes best about being a member of MSWIT are the amazing women who support each other and try to continue to make New Orleans the most interesting place to visit, experience, and live!

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Member Spotlight:

Tanya Leader
VP of Sales & Services
Visit the Northshore

Member Spotlight:
Kenisha Richard
Catering & Conference Services Manager
The Windsor Court

Tanya Leader joined the St. Tammany Parish Tourist and Convention Commission in 2001, bringing with her a background in recruitment, public engagement, event planning, and organizational leadership from her earlier role as an Enrollment Counselor Coordinator at her alma mater, Southeastern Louisiana University. She began her tourism career as Visitor Services Manager before transitioning into the sales department. In 2010, she was promoted to Vice President of Sales, and in 2023, her leadership expanded to include management of the Visitor Services team.

Tanya is a proud graduate of Leadership St. Tammany and the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy. Most recently she earned the prestigious Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) credential from Destinations International.

Known by her family as the “Appetizer Queen,” Tanya is always ready to whip up a quick nibble and entertain. On most weekends, Tanya can be found welcoming guests at 30 by Ninety Theatre, a nonprofit community playhouse co-founded by her husband, Jason, over a decade ago. The theater remains a cherished passion project for both.

Favorite Part of MSWIT: The support and mentorship that is genuinely shared with each other.

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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, meetings and event planning with a passion for crafting unforgettable experiences and bringing a unique blend of creativity, precision, and strategic insight into every event.

Originally from Alexandria, LA, but raised in San Antonio, TX, Kenisha graduated from the Stephen F. Austin State University Hospitality program. During her spare time, she owns and operates Kennidy + Camron Event Consulting, where she provides sales advice, event logistic strategies, and offers Day of Wedding Coordination.

Her spare time is spent traveling! Fun fact about Kenisha…her initial career path was to be OBGYN.

Her favorite part of being a MSWIT member for the past 2 years has been learning how so many arms of the travel and tourism industry make up the wide world of Hospitality!

Member Spotlight:
Meg Ruch
Retired Travel Counselor

Meg became a travel agent nearly 50 years ago and worked as a Travel Counselor for various local agencies. Her longest amount of years were with AAA Travel and most recently, Professional Travel Consultants.

Meg has been a member of MSWIT since 1979 and proudly holds the record as the longest active (consecutive years) member of our great organization. Had we kept meeting attendance records back then, we are certain she would hold that top record as well just based on the past 10 years! As long as she wasn’t traveling or sick…Meg attended meetings!

As our most tenured member, Meg has always been our go-to person for historical information and traditionally installs the new board every two years. When she was asked what she liked most about our club, her quick response was “While there are many competitive businesses within our membership, there is great comradery with the ladies that are in the same field.”

Meg has been married to Dave Ruch for 42 years and they reside in Old Jefferson, just a short walk to the river. They have five 4- legged kids… 2 black Labs, 2 beige rescue Poodles and a rescue feral Tabby cat! In her spare time, Meg has always loved to cook and enjoys looking at new recipes!

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Member Spotlight:

Lois Sutton
Co-Publisher
French Quarterly Magazine

An honors graduate of the University of Texas School of Communications, Lois moved to New Orleans in 1969 with her family. She worked in several positions over the years but many of our members know Lois Sutton as the Publisher of Where Magazine for 26 years! When that publication ended its presence in our area, she became partners with Donna Horowitz as Co-Publisher of French Quarterly Magazine.

Additionally, she is owner of a beautiful French Quarter gallery, Vintage 329 on Royal Street across from the police station. This unique store carries vintage jewelry including Chanel, Tiffany, YSL, etc. “Vintage” showcases exquisite mid-century barware, sunglasses, paintings and posters, as well.

Before being rooted in the New Orleans Tourism Industry with these great media publications, Lois was Regional Marketing Director for Merrill Lynch Realty’s Southwestern Region. However, one of her most unique jobs was Regional Marketing Director at Chuck E Cheese! She handled parties, got to take Chucky to school events and her lucky children got unlimited tokens.

She’s very excited that her son Scott just came out with a book called The Pursuit of Home, a guide to buying and selling real estate. He owns a real estate company in Manhattan and has 20 years of experience selling high-end property. Recently, he opened his own New York company called Magnetic.

Lois is a true Taurus and both UT and Merril Lynch had “Bulls” for their mascots…so she just couldn’t get away from the bull.

She loves palates, needlepoint, early morning walks, candy and her seven beautiful grandchildren!

What Lois likes most about being a MSWIT member is the camaraderie and interesting events.

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Member Spotlight:

Judy Weitz
Owner/CEO
Compucast Web

Judy has been called the local Pioneer of Internet Marketing as she created the very first website promoting New Orleans on the “World Wide Web” back in 1994 (before most people even used email!).

Compucast Web has built at least 1000 websites over the past 30 years for clients primarily in the tourism industry in addition to creating popular marketing portal sites such as ExperienceNewOrleans.com, MardiGrasNewOrleans.com NewOrleansRestaurants.com + more!

She has been married to her husband Marc for nearly 50 years and has two sons, Matthew and Michael, and 5 beautiful grandkids! Judy has sponsored the MSWIT website for the past 15 years and loves the relationships she has made over the years!

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Member Spotlight:
Kristyn Williams
Hotard Coaches – Charter Sales
UNO HRT Graduate Student

Kristyn has worked in the hospitality industry since she turned 18. She loves every part of the industry and is completing her Master’s in Hospitality Management at UNO this December after completing a bachelor’s degree at the same institution in 2018.

Kristyn began working at Hotard Coaches 3+ years ago in the Charter Sales Department working with Conventions and DMC’s market. In addition to custom bus transfers for delegates, she has been instrumental with the coordination of many shuttle bus services for major conventions in town. MSWIT member Shannon Dallas says, “Kristyn is a Ray of Sunshine around the office, always polite and pleasant.”

It wasn’t long after she became a member of the Hotard team that we were so fortunate to have her become a member of MSWIT!

She is an advocate for hospitality, has room for everyone and likes to inspire more people to pursue this path. Kristyn enjoys making people happy and can’t see herself in any other industry in the world.

She hopes to have more time after graduating to attend more MSWIT and other tourism industry functions and make even more connections across the hospitality landscape. When Kristyn is not working or studying, she enjoys being with her family including her “four-legged fur baby” named Spirit!

Kristyn looks forward to wherever the wind takes her… as long as it’s still hospitality related!

MSWIT member Dr. Yvette Green added these special remarks… Kristyn is a pure delight to work with. I am so proud of the hospitality professional that she has become. Kristyn is a creative problem solver who understands the hospitality and tourism industry well. Personally, she is kind, caring, and a genuine warm-hearted person. She has an amazing personality and is very funny. We are fortunate to have Kristyn as an alum of our Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism program, a candidate for the Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management and a graduate assistant in our department. I am going to be so happy to see her graduate, however, I am going to miss her so much as she leaves our office to start the next chapter in her career. Kristyn rocks!!!

The post Member Spotlights: (Alphabetical by Last Name) appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

msWITCHes Levitated the Halloween Spirit at Destrehan Plantation!

Bobbi Mannino — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:56:22 +0000

Our first Halloween themed msWITCHes event this past Tuesday was a huge success!! Thanks so much to MSWIT Board Member, Leslie Brewer, who worked so hard to make every detail perfect! Additional thanks to our host, Tracy Smith, Executive Director of Destrehan Plantation and the whole team at Destrehan Plantation. Renee Hawkins, Chef and manager of the new Indigo Cafe (located inside the ticket office and gift shop building) who served fabulous food and libations! Kudos to our two awesome tour guides, Alan Abadie and Kelly Sloss who shared their vast knowledge of many of the spirits that still call Destrehan their home!

Please take a moment to view the fun photos taken by MSWIT HIstorian Peggy Benoit. Our members looked so amazing!

https://www.mswit.com/gallery/mswitches-levitated-the-halloween-spirit-at-destrehan-plantation.htm

The post msWITCHes Levitated the Halloween Spirit at Destrehan Plantation! appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

Calling all msWITCHes to our magical October 28th Dinner Meeting at Destrehan Plantation

Bobbi Mannino — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 16:15:28 +0000

Get Ready to Cackle, msWITCHes!

Grab your broomstick and join us for our msWITCHes dinner on Tuesday, October 28 at Destrehan Plantation inside the Mule Barn. We encourage everyone to come in your favorite Halloween attire to add to the fun…but be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes as there will be an after dark Destrehan Hauntings Tour that you don’t want to miss!

**Our Ghostess with the Mostess hosts, Tracy Smith, Executive Director of Destrehan Plantation and MSWIT member Leslie Brewer, Director of Sales, have a wonderful spooky meal planned for us!**

Complimentary Witches Potions and Ghostly Libations!!!

Witches Graveyard Greens
Spooktacular Gourd Cheesecake
Mummy’s Homemade Baked Chicken
Vampire Veggie Pasta Primavera
Broomstick Broccoli
Monster Mashed Potatoes
Devilicious Dinner Rolls

This will be a joint meeting with our sister MSWIT chapter members from MSWIT Capital Region.

The FUN begins at 5:30 pm with the Dinner starting at 6 pm and Destrehan Hauntings Tour at 6:45 pm or 7 pm.

DINNER COST: $45/Members, $50 Guests… which includes complimentary libations!

To RSVP, send an email to bobbimannino@gmail.com

To Pay Online with credit card, click HERE to fill in the total amount of your payment

The post Calling all msWITCHes to our magical October 28th Dinner Meeting at Destrehan Plantation appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

Interested in becoming a member of Mid South Women In Tourism?

Bobbi Mannino — Thu, 29 May 2025 16:21:02 +0000

The MSWIT meeting for the month of June will be our Membership Drive Meeting!

If you work in the Greater New Orleans area in Tourism…especially in Sales & Marketing…you DEFINITELY need to consider belonging to Mid South Women In Tourism or better known as MSWIT.

We currently have a roster of 170 professional women from across Southeast Louisiana who you will love to meet and is a great source of networking, mentoring and education for all our professional women in the tourism industry.

MSWIT has been around for 49 years and currently has a roster of 170 professional women in tourism…primarily in sales and marketing. Here is a link to our current roster for your review… http://mswit.com/members.htm. Once you are an official member, you will have access to the detailed roster which includes mailing addresses, emails, cellphones, etc.

Our membership dues are only $50 per fiscal year which begins on July 1st and covers through the following June 30th. We are running a special membership drive during the month of June where potential members are being invited as our guest to have lunch with us and attend the June 24th special luncheon at the new venue in JAX Brewery “The Misi by Messina’s”.

MSWIT typically meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month, generally a dinner meeting but occasionally at lunchtime so we can accommodate everyone’s schedule at some point. The cost of the meals are generally $40 for lunch and $45 for dinner meetings. You only pay for the meetings you plan to attend.

To see if you qualify for membership, contact BobbiMannino@gmail.com.

The post Interested in becoming a member of Mid South Women In Tourism? appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

Your RSVP is requested for our May 20th Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe!

Bobbi Mannino — Wed, 07 May 2025 16:20:01 +0000

Our MSWIT meeting for Tuesday, May 20 will be at the Hard Rock Cafe at the corner of Bourbon & Iberville. (see Parking instructions below)

MSWIT member Julie Sanford has a wonderful dinner planned for us! See menu below…

STARTER:

CAESAR SALAD

Choice of Entrée:

Option #1 — ORIGINAL LEGENDARY® BURGER

The burger that started it all! Steak burger served

medium-well with applewood bacon, cheddar cheese,

crispy onion ring, leaf lettuce and a vine-ripened

tomato and seasoned fries on the side.

Option #2 – THE VEGENDARY BURGER

100% Plant-based vegan patty, topped with

cheddar cheese and a crispy onion ring, served

with leaf lettuce and a vine-ripened tomato and

seasoned fries on the side.

Option #3 – SMOKEHOUSE BBQ COMBO

Hand-pulled smoked pork and grilled chicken breast

topped with our house-made barbecue sauce. The

perfect combination of our smokehouse specialties,

served with seasoned fries on the side.

Option #4 – TWISTED MAC, CHICKEN & CHEESE

100% All-natural grilled chicken breast, sliced and

served on cavatappi pasta tossed in a cheese sauce blend.

Option #5 – GRILLED SALMON

Grilled salmon with sweet & spicy mustard glaze,

served with mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables.

DESSERT

Chocolate Cake

BEVERAGE

Soft drink or Tea

Our Speaker…Sandra Herman, CEO and Founder of Celebrate Canal!

Helena Moreno’s staff informed us yesterday that she has to cancel due to an unanticipated trip to DC. Helena reached out to us personally this morning with her apologies. But have no fear…we have an amazing speaker, Sandra Herman, CEO and Founder of Celebrate Canal! — who is leading the charge to revitalize the history and charm of our beloved Canal Street for locals and visitors alike. See https://bizneworleans.com/all-eyes-on-canal-street-thanks-to-one-local-woman/

Networking begins at 5:30 pm; program starts promptly at 6:00 pm and we plan to be finished no later than 7:30 pm.

DINNER COST: $45/Members

To RSVP, send an email to bobbimannino@gmail.com and indicate which entree selection you would like for your meal.

To Pay Online with credit card, click HERE to fill in the total amount of your payment.

Parking: First…download the phone app for the DH Holmes Garage.

DH Holmes Garage
811 Iberville Street

Please find attached the $10 parking validation we’ve created for the MSWIT dinner on May 20^th (DH Holmes Parking Lot.)

This validation will be active for a five-hour period. The QR code link will go live on the day of the event and expire the following day. Kindly note that any parking beyond the five-hour window will be subject to our standard hourly rates.

The post Your RSVP is requested for our May 20th Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe! appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

From the Lake to the River…MSWIT FAM Bus Tour of Kenner Attendees Hit The Jackpot!!!

Bobbi Mannino — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 18:05:33 +0000

MSWIT Members…

While we know it’s not easy to get away from your desk for a whole day, the bus load of members who were able to attend would agree that we all had such an amazing day full of activities and surprises that many of us just didn’t know about the fabulous City of Kenner!

MSWIT member, Carolyn Barrett, Executive Director of Visit Kenner, did such an awesome job in showcasing a huge part of what Kenner has to offer! Being a resident of Kenner for the past 20 years, it tickled me so much to keep hearing “I had no idea” throughout the day. And that’s the core reason MSWIT has offered these road field trips for the past 5 years.

The fabulous itinerary began at the Pontchartrain Convention & Civic Center where Messina’s Catering (their caterer for 3 decades) provided coffee, an assortment of delicious pastries and an amazing fresh fruit display. We were welcomed by Kevin Baroni, General Manager of this spectacular facility, as well as their Sales Coordinator, MSWIT member Genell LeBoeuf and Messina’s Director of Sales, MSWIT member Maggie Zschiedrich.

We then boarded the Hotard Coach with our tour guide Carolyn giving us updates about Laketown as we cruised past the very impressive Coconut Beach Volleyball Complex then made our way to the beautiful Chateau Country Club where there were more great refreshments. In addition to hearing from Alyssa Sprunk, Director of Events with so many options at this beautiful facility, we all had the great privilege of hearing a special presentation from Jefferson Parish Councilwoman District 4 Arita Bohanan regarding the new 18,000 seat amphitheater that will be open in Laketown by 2027.

As we continued our 5 mile journey to Rivertown with Carolyn giving more details about her great city, we quickly arrived at the foot of the Williams Blvd. and the Mississippi River at LaSalle’s Landing. We learned all about some huge upgrades in the works for easy access to view the vessel traffic along the river. We then walked passed the historic Clancy House steps away from Heritage Park which often works in tangent with wedding parties getting married at the adorable St. Mary’s Church which can seat 50 guests.

We walk a few more steps arriving at the Rivertown Theatre and greeted by the Managing Director, Kelly Fouchi, who gave us an overall amazing summary of what it takes to run a community theatre and then treated to a very VIP backstage tour of the facility while the stage crew was building the set for their next show…even though the current show is still performing. OMG…so impressive!

We then walked a few more steps and entered the Kenner Planetarium & Science Center…where we were greeted by Heidi Glorioso who has been there since day 1 and we were literally blown away experiencing a life size replica of the NASA Space Station along with their incredible museum of artifacts and exhibits.

We took a break to enjoy a delicious spread of great food provided by Gendusa’s Italian Eatery (located across the street) where we were welcomed by Kenner’s Mayor Michael Glaser, along with City Councilwomen Dee Dunn and Kristi McKinney.

Then we stepped into the courtyard to be treated by Wrenworks Art Studio owner, Renee Yeaton with our very own opportunity to hand paint a selection of souvenir magnets which was so therapeutic. While these dried, we went back into the Planetarium’s Mega Dome Cinema and enjoyed a surprise laser show set to Elton John’s most popular hits!

We loaded the bus to head back north to Veterans Hwy. turning right for about 5 blocks to GAME ON Social Hub where we had a brief presentation by the owner Davor Franicevich, General Manager, Ricky Dillard and our very own MSWIT President, Director of Sales, Christy Dillard. We were treated to 30 minutes of doing whatever games we wanted to play…including a 7 minute laser tag session with at least half our attendees. A few of us did manage to get the AX to stick on the Ax Throwing bullseye board. This whole place is fun for kids but even more fun for Adults!

Then we boarded the bus one more time to head to the new land based Treasure Chest Casino located in Laketown at Williams Blvd. and Lake Pontchartrain where we were welcomed by General Manager Kim Etland, Director of Sales, Rodney Miller and Sales Manager, Lauren Livermore. There was a reception set up for us in the lobby of the beautiful banquet facility which can seat 400 people for a meal! Everyone enjoyed their choice of beverages along with passed hot and cold hors d’oeuvres!

What an incredible day! Whether any members who decided to stay a while and play won, I think we can all agree that each of us hit the JACKPOT on our very special day Visiting Kenner!

Thanks again, Carolyn Barrett…and of course her “unpaid intern”, Tunney! It was a GREAT FAM TOUR!

Bobbi Mannino
MSWIT Membership Manager

Kenner Contact List:

Pontchartrain Center:
Pontchartrain Convention & Civic Center
Genell LeBoeuf, Sales Coordinator
4545 Williams Blvd. | Kenner, LA 70065
PH: 504.465.9985 | DL: 504.468.6659 | FX: 504.468.6692
www.pontchartraincenter.com

Chateau Country Club:
ALYSSA SPRUNK
Director of Events
Phone: 504.467.1351
Email: events@chateaugcc.com
3600 Chateau Blvd
Kenner LA 70065
www.chateaugcc.com

Rivertown Theater for the Performing Arts:
Kelly Fouchi
kelly@rivertowntheaters.com
www.rivertowntheaters.com
504-461-9475

Kenner Planetarium and Science Center:
Heidi R. Glorioso
Assistant to the Mayor
2020 Fourth Street
Kenner, LA 70062
504-468-7231
www.kenner.la.us

Wrenworks Art Studio:
Renee Yeaton
wrenworksartstudio@gmail.com
2120 Fourth Street
Kenner, LA 70062
504-370-9736

Gendusa’s Italian Eatery
Troy Gendusa
(504) 305-5305

Treasure Chest Casino:
Lauren Livermore
laurenlivermore@boydgaming.com
504-443-8069

Arita Bohanan
Jefferson Parish Councilwoman District 4
O: (504)736-6622 or (504)736-6621
arita@jeffparish.net

Chelle Maxwell
The Clancy House
504-737-6435
Theclancyhouse1922@gmail.com
1922 Reverend Wilson Drive
Kenner, LA 70062

The post From the Lake to the River…MSWIT FAM Bus Tour of Kenner Attendees Hit The Jackpot!!! appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

First RSVP Request: MSWIT Christmas Party Luncheon – Tuesday, December 17 – New Orleans Morial Convention Center

Bobbi Mannino — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 13:29:33 +0000

MSWIT New Orleans & MSWIT Baton Rouge Members…

Get ready for our first joint MSWIT Christmas Party LUNCHEON on Tuesday, December 17th at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center, Lobby I (with free parking directly across the street in Lot F…see more parking details below).

Networking, Cash Bar & the Holiday Market Place begin at 11:30 am and our festive lunch and program starts promptly at Noon.

Our MSWIT members with the convention center – Rosalie Mortillaro and Kayla Aucoin-LeBouef – along with the culinary staff at the center have a very special Christmas lunch meal planned for all of us to enjoy. (see menu below)

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NOLA CHRISTMAS FEST behind the scenes TOUR! For those who are able to stick around for another 20 minutes, you will have the opportunity to have a behind the scenes “sneak peak” of NOLA CHRISTMAS FEST which opens to the public from December 20 – 30th!

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Your MSWIT Board has special Christmas surprises for all members attending including a few fabulous door prizes such as two sets of Mignon Faget Mardi Gras glass sets of 4 (donated by June Fallo). Santa & Mrs. Claus will be on hand for photos and will love to hear what’s on your wish list this year!

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New this year is the MSWIT Holiday Market Place!! We have room for up to 12 MSWIT member vendors at no charge to exhibit and sell their goods. We know that some of our MSWIT members have a little side hustle of items they sell. If you are interested in being one of a maximum of 12 vendors interested in marketing items to our members who still need Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers, you must let Bobbi Mannino know right away as we believe these 12 half tables will go quickly!

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Additionally, attendees are asked to bring non-perishable food items for the Kenner Food Bank and/or an unwrapped toy to be distributed by the New Orleans Mission.

COST: $45/Members + $50/Guests (PRE-PAYMENT REQUIRED)

To RSVP, send an email to bobbimannino@gmail.com

To Pay Online with credit card, click HERE to fill in the total amount of your payment.

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SPECIAL PARKING INSTRUCTIONS

Here is the link for you to to enter your license plate number ahead of time: https://www.offstreet.io/location/51XZRMOD to receive free parking in Convention Center Lot F (see map). After parking, proceed to Lobby I, then take escalators to 2^nd floor, Rooms 283-285. Campus Security officers will be on site to direct you.

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Our festive LUNCH Buffet will include:

A Special Holiday Custom Mocktail: Chilled Cranberry, Orange and Lime Juices with Ginger Ale, Garnished with Lime Wheel and Fresh Cranberries!

Mixed Greens Salad with Roasted Pears, Candied Pecans and Feta Cheese with Champagne Vinaigrette and Creamy Charred Lemon Dressing.
Pasta Salad with Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes, Spinach and Crisp Bacon Crumbles – topped with Toasted Garlic Herb Panko
Short Ribs with Veal Madera Demi Glace
Vegetable Strudel with Romesco Sauce
Potatoes Dauphinoise topped with melted cheeses
Roasted Lemon Broccolini
New York Cheesecake with Cranberry Compote and Fresh Whole Cranberries
Rolls & Butter
Iced Tea & Tangerine-Raspberry-Mint Infused Water
Regular Coffee, Decaf Coffee and Hot Tea

The post First RSVP Request: MSWIT Christmas Party Luncheon – Tuesday, December 17 – New Orleans Morial Convention Center appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

MSWIT’s 2024 Biennial Fashion Fundraiser is HUGE success!

Dimitri Z — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 17:21:25 +0000

MSWIT’S 7th Biennial Fashion Fundraiser is now in the record books as an absolutely fabulous event!

The final numbers will soon be announced and our three beneficiaries…CALA, NOFJC and DFS New Orleans…will be notified at which upcoming meeting we will be presenting their checks. Bottom line…they will all be very happy!

We first have to thank our Fundraiser Committee who have worked so hard over the past eight months. And, of course, we could not do this without our Sponsors and dozens and dozens of businesses that donated prizes and other in-kind services.

A successful event like this takes a village and a detailed list of “Thank You’s” will follow very soon along with the announcement of our total funds raised.

In the meantime, we just want to say Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

The post MSWIT’s 2024 Biennial Fashion Fundraiser is HUGE success! appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

Women in Tourism Present Fashionable Fundraiser to Benefit Women

Dimitri Z — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 18:32:31 +0000

Mid South Women in Tourism (MSWIT) announces its Biennial Passport to Fashion Fundraiser will take place on Saturday, September 7, from 12:30–3:30 p.m. at Copeland Tower Living in Metairie. This year’s theme is “Dressed for Success”.

MSWIT, an organization of women in all areas of the tourism industry, distributes funds from the event to support the Cancer Association of Louisiana, the New Orleans Family Justice Center, and Dress for Success New Orleans. The charitable affair will also provide a $1000 award for a student enrolled in the University of New Orleans’ Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Graduate Program.

In addition to a runway show of fashions provided by Dress for Success New Orleans, the afternoon’s festivities include a buffet lunch, bottomless mimosa bar with souvenir champagne flute, a spectacular Parade of Prizes, and a Travel Partners Marketplace with vendors from across Louisiana.

Tickets are priced at $65. For more details and to purchase tickets or a table of 10, click on http://www.mswit.com/fashion-fundraiser.html or email mswitevents@gmail.com.

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About MSWIT: The primary objectives of the organization, which is comprised of 170 women in all areas of tourism, are to provide opportunities for women in the travel and tourism industries to network locally, nationally and internationally with contacts that will contribute to their professional and personal growth, and to encourage and assist women to improve their knowledge and experience through educational programs.

The post Women in Tourism Present Fashionable Fundraiser to Benefit Women appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

MSWIT will be exploring Houma for our Annual Bus FAM Trip on Tuesday, March 26

Dimitri Z — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 23:59:59 +0000

MSWIT Members…

We can't wait to give you all the details for our Annual Bus Fam Tour…this year we will be experiencing Houma, Lousiana!

MSWIT member Sondra Corbitt, Executive Director of Explore Houma will be our host to show all of us the great things to see and do in Houma!

Mark your calendars now for this day long event — Tuesday, March 26!

More details regarding our Itinerary and special lunch to come!

The post MSWIT will be exploring Houma for our Annual Bus FAM Trip on Tuesday, March 26 appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

Latest News Archives - MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism

Member Spotlights: (Alphabetical by Last Name)

Member Spotlight: Peggy Benoit Owner True Louisiana Tours LLC

Member Spotlight: Leslie Brewer Sales & Marketing Director Destrehan Plantation + Houmas House Estate & Gardens

Member Spotlight: Sandra Dartus, CFEE Event Consultant – Fostering Community Partnerships

Member Spotlight: Christy Dillard Event Guru Game On Social Hub

Member Spotlight:

Laine Garner Sr. Vice President of Sales, Membership & Education Louisiana Travel Association

Member Spotlight:

Dr. Yvette Green Professor Department Chair, School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration Director, Hospitality Research Center University of New Orleans

Member Spotlight:

Nikki Jackson Director of Sales and Marketing Hotel Indigo New Orleans French Quarter

Member Spotlight:

Amy Kirk Duvoisin Events and Sponsorship Manager, WWOZ-FM President & Founder – Joan of Arc Project a.k.a. the Joan of Arc Parade on Twelfth Night in the FQ

Member Spotlight:

Tanya Leader VP of Sales & Services Visit the Northshore

Member Spotlight: Kenisha Richard Catering & Conference Services Manager The Windsor Court

Member Spotlight: Meg Ruch Retired Travel Counselor

Member Spotlight:

Lois Sutton Co-Publisher French Quarterly Magazine

Member Spotlight:

Judy Weitz Owner/CEO Compucast Web

Member Spotlight: Kristyn Williams Hotard Coaches – Charter Sales UNO HRT Graduate Student

msWITCHes Levitated the Halloween Spirit at Destrehan Plantation!

Calling all msWITCHes to our magical October 28th Dinner Meeting at Destrehan Plantation

Get Ready to Cackle, msWITCHes!

Our Ghostess with the Mostess hosts, Tracy Smith, Executive Director of Destrehan Plantation and MSWIT member Leslie Brewer, Director of Sales, have a wonderful spooky meal planned for us!

Complimentary Witches Potions and Ghostly Libations!!!

This will be a joint meeting with our sister MSWIT chapter members from MSWIT Capital Region.

The FUN begins at 5:30 pm with the Dinner starting at 6 pm and Destrehan Hauntings Tour at 6:45 pm or 7 pm.

DINNER COST: $45/Members, $50 Guests… which includes complimentary libations!

To RSVP, send an email to bobbimannino@gmail.com

To Pay Online with credit card, click HERE to fill in the total amount of your payment

Interested in becoming a member of Mid South Women In Tourism?

Your RSVP is requested for our May 20th Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe!

Our Speaker…Sandra Herman, CEO and Founder of Celebrate Canal!

From the Lake to the River…MSWIT FAM Bus Tour of Kenner Attendees Hit The Jackpot!!!

First RSVP Request: MSWIT Christmas Party Luncheon – Tuesday, December 17 – New Orleans Morial Convention Center

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MSWIT’s 2024 Biennial Fashion Fundraiser is HUGE success!

Women in Tourism Present Fashionable Fundraiser to Benefit Women

MSWIT will be exploring Houma for our Annual Bus FAM Trip on Tuesday, March 26

MSWIT Members…

We can't wait to give you all the details for our Annual Bus Fam Tour…this year we will be experiencing Houma, Lousiana!

MSWIT member Sondra Corbitt, Executive Director of Explore Houma will be our host to show all of us the great things to see and do in Houma!

Mark your calendars now for this day long event — Tuesday, March 26!

More details regarding our Itinerary and special lunch to come!

Member Spotlight:
Peggy Benoit
Owner
True Louisiana Tours LLC

Member Spotlight:
Leslie Brewer
Sales & Marketing Director
Destrehan Plantation + Houmas House Estate & Gardens

Member Spotlight:
Sandra Dartus, CFEE
Event Consultant – Fostering Community Partnerships

Member Spotlight:
Christy Dillard
Event Guru
Game On Social Hub

Laine Garner
Sr. Vice President of Sales, Membership & Education
Louisiana Travel Association

Dr. Yvette Green
Professor
Department Chair, School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration
Director, Hospitality Research Center
University of New Orleans

Nikki Jackson
Director of Sales and Marketing
Hotel Indigo New Orleans French Quarter

Amy Kirk Duvoisin
Events and Sponsorship Manager, WWOZ-FM
President & Founder – Joan of Arc Project a.k.a. the Joan of Arc Parade on Twelfth Night in the FQ

Tanya Leader
VP of Sales & Services
Visit the Northshore

Member Spotlight:
Kenisha Richard
Catering & Conference Services Manager
The Windsor Court

Member Spotlight:
Meg Ruch
Retired Travel Counselor

Lois Sutton
Co-Publisher
French Quarterly Magazine

Judy Weitz
Owner/CEO
Compucast Web

Member Spotlight:
Kristyn Williams
Hotard Coaches – Charter Sales
UNO HRT Graduate Student

**Our Ghostess with the Mostess hosts, Tracy Smith, Executive Director of Destrehan Plantation and MSWIT member Leslie Brewer, Director of Sales, have a wonderful spooky meal planned for us!**