New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network Hires Interim Executive Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LaDana Skidmore Williams has been named interim executive director of the New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network (NOMTN). The six-month tenure, which could be extended, was effective April 3, 2017.

Williams brings to her new role nearly two decades of tourism, marketing and management experience, both in and outside of Louisiana. Most recently, she served as Account Manager for St. John and Partners, Jacksonville, FL, where she managed community partnerships, public relations, corporate programs and fundraising for corporate clients. In addition, Williams was formerly the marketing director for the St. Tammany Parish Tourist Commission. She also served as an Account Executive at Peter Mayer for seven years, where she managed marketing programs for the Louisiana Office of Tourism. In that role, she managed a $9.3 million budget and fostered strategic alliances with national brands such as the NBA, The Weather Channel, Southern Living, Better Homes and Gardens, O Magazine, Bon Appétit and Smithsonian.

"I am honored to work with and support the board of directors as they pursue the next direction for NOMTN," Williams said. "The 2018 Tricentennial celebration will present the opportunity to develop new partnerships and expand the organization's reach," she added.

According to Essence Harris-Banks, NOMTN Board Chair, "LaDana's leadership comes at a pivotal time for the organization. Her knowledge, experience and past relationships will be an asset."

Also, effective April 1, 2017, NOMTN has added the following new board members:

• Meagan Cook, Windsor Court Hotel, Director of Catering & Conference Services
• Diane Lyons, ACCENT-DMC, Inc., President
• Cyndi Nguyen, Vietnamese Initiative in Economic Training (VIET), Executive Director
• Brandi Payton, JetBlue Airlines (New Orleans/Houston), General Manager
• Barbara Waiters, Downtown Development District New Orleans, Director of Public Affairs and Policy

"We are thrilled to have such a diverse group of professionals with such a long-standing history and expertise in the service and hospitality industry join the board." Harris-Banks said. "We are poised to take the promotion of New Orleans' multicultural heritage to a new level."