Ben Berthelot named to Executive Committee for STS Board
Lafayette, LA – Lafayette Travel President & CEO Ben Berthelot was named Secretary to the Executive Committee of the Board during the Southeast Tourism Society’s (STS) Annual Membership Meeting in Jackson, Mississippi.
“I look forward to joining the Executive Committee of the Southeast Tourism Society (STS) to continue to advocate for the tourism industry and help the STS to grow and assist its members,” said Ben Berthelot, President & CEO of Lafayette Travel. “We are stronger working together, and the STS does a great job of bringing the Southeastern states together through education, advocacy, recognition, and networking, thereby strengthening the industry and its position as an economic driver.”
The Southeast Tourism Society approved its slate of members to the Executive Committee for a one-year term and the Board of Directors for a two-year term.
Karen Trevino, TMP, North Little Rock Tourism, and Robyn Bridges, Auburn-Opelika Tourism, are the association’s Chair and Vice Chair, respectively. Other members of the Executive Committee include Debbie Meihls, New Smyrna Beach CVB, Treasurer; Shannon Gray, TMP, Gray Research Solutions, Marketing College® Provost; and Jill Kidder, Visit Baton Rouge, Immediate Past Chair.
“The STS Board of Directors are leaders within the travel and tourism industry, who we look to as the visionaries for our organization,” said Monica Smith, President and CEO of Southeast Tourism Society. “The Board’s leadership provides valuable insight as STS continues to advocate for and support the tourism industry, particularly in regards to promoting travel to our 13 member states and Washington D.C. Each board member brings a unique skillset or expertise that will help us to continue enhancing professional development within our industry, and responsibly promote travel to our region.”
New additions to the Board are Destiny Oliver, TMP, Miles Partnership; Ian Centrone, Martin County Office of Tourism & Marketing; Lisa Anders, Explore Gwinnett Tourism + Film; Brooke Jung, TMP, Visit Hopkinsville; Cody Gray, TMP, Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism; Neal McCoy, City of Tupelo; Thomas Salley, Wilkesboro TDA; and Kimberly Davis, TMP, Friends of Southwest Virginia. Elected as Members at Large are Billy Dunlap, OneSpartanburg, Inc., and Marlo Dorsey, Visit Hattiesburg.
Serving a second term are Kalene Griffith, Visit Bentonville; Kelly McWhorter, TMP, Discover Greenwood (S.C.); and Mary Blair, TMP, Designsensory.
Susan West, TMP, Arkansas Tech University, is reappointed to fill an unexpired term.
About Southeast Tourism Society
The Southeast Tourism Society (STS) is a not-for-profit membership association dedicated to developing travel and tourism professionals and organizations within the Southeast region. The association’s mission is to empower a diverse network of tourism professionals through education, advocacy, recognition, and networking. Member states include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
