FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2024
CONTACT:
Tamaria Williams, Communications Manager
(225) 382-3577
Visit Baton Rouge awards members of hospitality community in
honor of National Travel and Tourism Week
BATON ROUGE, La. – In the spirit of National Travel and Tourism Week, Visit Baton Rouge honored two members of the Baton Rouge hospitality community with the Excellence in Service and Community Leadership awards at their tourism luncheon on Wednesday. Coby Mallet was awarded the Excellence in Service Award and Laura Siu Nguyen the Community Leadership Award.
Coby Mallet, Crowne Plaza Executive Center
- As a Banquet Manager, Mallet always goes above and beyond to make sure conference attendees enjoy their experience and want to return to Baton Rouge. He quickly attends to meeting planners who want to ensure a pleasant experience for their guests. After three years at the Crowne, he’s helping Baton Rouge earn a reputation for cheerful hospitality, plus ensuring that their excellent experience doesn’t end at the doors of his hotel. He makes sure to offer recommendations for the city’s best places to eat and things to do.
"It's a privilege to be recognized with the Excellence in Service Award," said Mallet. "Every day, I strive to make each guest's experience unforgettable, and I’m grateful that I get to contribute to the positive image of Baton Rouge."
Laura Siu Nguyen, Night Market BTR
- In May 2023, Siu Nguyen planned and executed the first ever Night Market – a celebration meant to amplify the voices of the Asian American communities in Baton Rouge. The inaugural event in Mid City successfully attracted about 2,000 attendees. But with interest high for the 2024 event, she led the charge to move Night Market BTR to downtown Baton Rouge to take advantage of a larger footprint. The move paid off when more than 10,000 people attended the second Night Market, with 42 vendors showcasing their authentic products to an eager audience. Small mom-and-pop shops from all around south Louisiana have reaped the benefits of this event, including newcomer Okki Tokki – a Korean bowl restaurant concept –that recently opened their own brick-and-mortar in downtown Baton Rouge.
“It’s truly an honor to receive this award!” said Siu Nguyen. “This award is dedicated to all the dreamers and doers who make magic happen in Baton Rouge – let’s continue to make this city the home we truly deserve.”
Visit Baton Rouge’s luncheon titled, “BTR Together,” gave key industry updates from President & CEO Jill Kidder and recognized the critical role our community leaders and frontline hospitality workers play in tourism in Baton Rouge, revealing record economic impact for the area’s tourism industry in 2023.
“We are incredibly proud of Coby and Laura for their dedication and hard work,” said Jill Kidder, President & CEO of Visit Baton Rouge. “Their contributions highlight the best of what our community has to offer and it’s people like them who ensure that visitors have memorable experiences and keep coming back. Together, we make Baton Rouge a welcoming destination. We truly are BTR Together.”
For more information about Visit Baton Rouge and the impact of tourism in the capital city, please visit www.visitbatonrouge.com/about-us/why-tourism-matters/.
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About Visit Baton Rouge
Visit Baton Rouge is the designated Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for East Baton Rouge Parish, responsible for promoting and showcasing the region. Our primary mission is to increase visitation to and awareness of the Baton Rouge area thereby enhancing economic impact. Find recent press releases and tourism news at visitbatonrouge.com/media/press-releases. Join our social media community and follow us @visitbatonrouge.
