Wednesday, August 22
11:15 AM-12:30 PM
Did you know that Louisiana has two National Heritage Areas, three National Parks, one World Heritage Site, one National Historic Trail, 19 By-ways and 21 State Parks? Hear from a panel of experts about how these resources can be a part of your marketing and promotional efforts. Learn more about how these assets benefit your community and attract visitors.
Rebecca Blankenbaker has over ten years of experience working with community leaders, heritage attractions, and local stakeholders to create authentic and sustainable heritage tourism products in Central Louisiana.
As Director of Public Outreach for Cane River National Heritage Area, Rebecca has worked to create innovative public-private partnerships that create community outreach and educational programs, improve interpretive services, and enhance the marketing and heritage tourism initiatives in the region. She manages the Cane River National Heritage Trail, a Louisiana Scenic Byway, and serves as the only Louisiana representative on the Board of Directors for the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association.
In 2018, Rebecca Blankenbaker was the recipient of the Louisiana Travel Association’s Rising Star of the Year Award, an honor recognizing an up-and-coming young professional in the tourism industry who has demonstrated qualities of leadership, entrepreneurship and creativity.
As Public Information Officer with Louisiana State Parks for the past 17 years, Sharon provides support to the Office of the Lt. Governor, State Parks administration, and field staff at 39 sites located throughout the state. From the preparation of press releases and promotional materials for parks, historic sites, and Black Bear Golf Club – the only state-owned golf course in Louisiana – to maintenance of the agency’s website, and more, she is constantly working to get the word out about Louisiana’s unique natural and historical treasures.
Sharon coordinated with the Office of the Lt. Governor and Dept. of Culture, Recreation and Tourism staff on the celebration of Poverty Point’s designation as a World Heritage Site in 2014.
With the entrance of the film industry into the state in the early 2000s, Sharon has fostered relationships with film location scouts. Louisiana State Parks sites have appeared in several motion pictures, television series, documentaries and commercial advertisements. She also developed the social media plan for the agency and its individual sites, and oversees social media efforts through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Louisiana Byways Director Sharon Calcote has nearly 30 years of experience in the tourism industry. Her most significant contribution has been in tourism product development. She spearheaded the cultural/heritage and rural tourism efforts in Louisiana beginning in the early 1990s. She helped communities to identify, develop and interpret viable tourism products. Many of these efforts culminated in several of Louisiana’s trails, including the Louisiana Birding Trails and Louisiana Civil War Trail, among others. These projects provided avenues for Louisiana communities to link to statewide projects and to increase visitation into their areas.
We value our Investor Partners for their dedication to the growth of the tourism industry. Their participation at this level allows them to engage in all aspects of LTA.
