FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Kristian Sonnier
New Orleans CVB
504-566-5019
ksonnier@neworleanscvb.com 


Tara Letort, CMP, Announced as a Winner of the 2015 Forty Under 40® Award
USAE and Association Forum of Chicagoland announces 2015 honorees including New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau Director of Group PR


NEW ORLEANS - September 11, 2015 - The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau (NOCVB) is pleased to announce that Tara Letort, CMP, the Director of Group Public Relations, has been awarded the Forty Under 40 Award by Association Forum of Chicagoland and USAE. This prestigious award recognizes emerging leaders in the nonprofit and association industries under the age of 40 who demonstrate high potential for success in leadership roles and exhibit a strong commitment to the association management profession. Letort was chosen from hundreds of nominees and is the only 2015 honoree from a destination marketing organization (DMO) in the public relations role.


"Tara's innovative ideas and steadfast commitment to the city and her clients make her a valuable asset to the CVB," said Stephen Perry, President and CEO of the NOCVB. "Tara has gone above and beyond our expectations of the Group PR program and her outstanding work has set the bar for excellence in this complex and rapidly changing industry. Since we created the Director of Group PR position in 2007, Tara has designed, led and continues to execute programs that add value to our customers' experiences. Her work has become the platinum standard in the US for providing resources to convention and meeting customers and her service distinguishes New Orleans as an incomparable destination for convention business."


Letort is the first Director-level PR professional at a CVB dedicated solely to conventions and events coming to New Orleans and has led the charge in creating and utilizing cutting-edge strategies and tactics to drive attendance and help every organization meet and exceed their goals. Her efforts have led to service that is becoming the new industry standard.


Being one of the first PR professionals to acquire a Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) designation, the highest achievement of professionalism in the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industries, Letort has assisted clients in developing and executing customized marketing, advertising and online communication; as well as social and public relations strategies to help build attendance, garner media coverage and maximize business objectives for every meeting and convention held in New Orleans. The group PR team also gives back to the city by connecting incoming meetings with local organizations facilitating partnerships for volunteer work, sponsorships and business development.


A 14 year veteran of the advertising/marketing industries, Letort provides expertise on marketing, attendance building and the attendee experience. Letort currently serves as the Programming Chairperson for the Public Relations Society of America New Orleans Chapter and was elected to the Board of Directors for the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Gulf States Chapter.


The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau is a nationally accredited, 1,100-member destination marketing organization and the largest and most successful private economic development corporation in Louisiana. The CVB and its members influence thousands of decision-makers and millions of visitors to choose New Orleans through direct sales, marketing, public relations, branding and visitor services at our New Orleans headquarters and offices in Chicago, Louisville, KY, Washington, D.C. and six foreign countries. Consistently recognized as one of the top five CVBs in the country, the New Orleans CVB celebrates its 55th anniversary in 2015. For more information, please visit www.neworleanscvb.com; www.facebook.com/neworleans; www.twitter.com/neworleanscvb.

 

###