FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

William “Bill” LangkoppHonored as Louisiana Travel Promotion Association’s 2016

Will Mangham Tourism Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

Annual awards recognize best of the Louisiana tourism industry

Lake Charles, LA (February 10, 2016) – Community members, local businesses, and civic and tourism leaders gathered for the Louisiana Tourism Promotion Association (LTPA) annual meeting on Thursday, January 28 at L’Auberge Casino Resort Hotelin Lake Charles. The luncheon celebrated the Will Mangham Tourism Lifetime Achievement Award recipient – William “Bill” Langkopp CHA, CAE, executive vice president of the Louisiana Hotel & Lodging Association.

Bill received the Will Mangham Tourism Lifetime Achievement Award for his 50 plus years of service in the hospitality industry in Louisiana. A native New Orleanian, Bill started his career as a bellboy at theRoosevelt Hotel in New Orleans. After many years of working in hotels in the New Orleans market, he was appointed asthe executive vice president of the Louisiana Hotel & Lodging Association; a position he has heldsince 1976.

“It is our privilege to honor those in Louisiana’s tourism industry who work diligently every day to showcase our great culture to the rest of the world,” said Darienne Mobley, LTPA co-executive director. “With over 50 years of cumulative years of experience in hotels, as well as association management, it’s easy to see why Bill deserves a lifetime achievement honor—and why he has earned the respect of the entire state tourism industry.”

The goal of LTPA is to promote and grow the Louisiana tourism industry by developing new and unique opportunities for visitors, strengthening communication networks and informing various channels about the available attractions and accommodations in Louisiana.

“It was a privilege to present Bill Langkopp with the Will Mangham Tourism Lifetime Achievement Award at the LTPA’s annual membership luncheon and meeting,” said Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser.“I want to congratulate Bill on the honor of receiving this very prestigious award. He is one of the best and brightest in the Louisiana hospitality and tourism industry and I enjoyed visiting with him to learn more about all that the Louisiana Hotel & Lodging Association has to offer under his leadership to our great state."

The LTPA Louey Award winners also include: Webster Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau, Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau/Tourist Commission of the Year (budget from $250,000 to $749,999); New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, Outstanding Convention and Bureau/Tourist Commission of the Year (budget from $750,000 and higher); St. Tammany Parish Tourist & Convention Commission, Tourism Campaign/Promotion of the Year; Monroe-West Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Christmas on the River, Festival/Event of the Year; Bayou Rum Distillery, Attraction of the Year; The Southern Hotel, Accommodation of the Year/Full-Service Lodging; Hampton Inn Ruston, Accommodation of the Year/Limited-Service Lodging; The Inn at Houmas House Plantation & Gardens, Accommodation of the Year/Bed & Breakfast; Melvin Rodrigue of Galatoire’s, Restaurateur of the Year; Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice, Campground RV/Park of the Year; Senator Ronnie Johns, Governmental Friend of Tourism; Representative John F. “Andy” Anders, Governmental Friend of Tourism.

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EDITORS NOTE: Photos Attached (see below for IDs and captions):

  • Photo 1: Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and LTPA Chairman Phil Frost present William “Bill” Langkopp

with the Will Mangham Lifetime Achievement Award.

  • Photo 2: LTPA Chairman Phil Frost; William “Bill” Langkopp and Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser(L-R)
  • Photo 3: Will Mangham and William “Bill” Langkopp(L-R)

About Louisiana Hotel & Lodging Association:

Established in the mid-1920s, the Louisiana Hotel & Lodging Association is the recognized ambassador of the hotel industry in Louisiana. Initially created purely for the benefit of its members, as time passed it grew to serve not only the industry, but governmental agencies, the Louisiana Legislature, other industry components, many locales across the state and the public in general. For more information about the Louisiana Hotel & Lodging Association, visit .

About Louisiana Travel Promotion Association, LTPA

LTPA is a trade association leading and strengthening Louisiana’s vibrant tourism industry through promotion, education and advocacy on behalf of our members. Tourism generated $11.2 billion for Louisiana in 2014 and employs 223,000 people throughout the state. For more information, visit LTPA.org.

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