For Immediate Release, Thursday, September 14, 2006 

DAVIS HONORED FOR SUPPORT OF TOURISM 

            Parish President Kevin Davis received the Shining Example Award last week from the Southeast Tourism Society at its annual banquet in Arlington, Virginia. 

            Bill Hardman, President and CEO of the Southeast Tourism Society wrote:  “Each year Southeast Tourism Society recognizes government officials who best used his or her influence to support or greatly enhance the growth of tourism in their region.   The Awards judges combed through all the nominations and felt Kevin Davis deserved the award.  The judges were impressed with the time he spent with local organizations. He met with industry partners to educate front-line employees; while doing this, he took visitor needs into consideration.  He ensured hoteliers had a thorough understanding of timing to make educated decisions on when to evacuate their respective properties. STS salutes Kevin Davis for his contributions to the tourism industry in his community.” 

Davis was notified in July that he had been selected to receive the award for outstanding support of the tourism industry.  He was nominated by Tourist Commissioner Donna O’Daniels.  Davis flew to Washington Wednesday to accept the award. 

According to O’Daniels, “In the spring of 2005, Kevin’s role as Parish President became particularly significant to our industry as we prepared for the possibility of a hurricane.  He and his staff included us in their preparation plans, as well as their response following a disaster. This inclusion helped us ensure that our visitors were well prepared and well informed as Hurricane Katrina approached, and enabled us to disseminate timely and accurate information to the traveling public as soon as winds subsided. He met with industry partners to educate our front-line employees, and took visitor needs into consideration, much as he did other ‘special’ populations such as hospital or nursing home patients. He ensured that our hoteliers had a thorough understanding of timing to make educated decisions on when to evacuate their hotels, which was critical in saving lives, particularly as many of our hotel properties in Slidell were either completely destroyed or severely damaged during Hurricane Katrina.  As a result, we felt that our entire industry was informed about what to do in the event of a hurricane well in advance of the devastation of the 2005 hurricane season, and we were able to recover from Katrina much more quickly than many of our neighboring parishes.” 

            “Tourism is a vital part of our local and regional economy, and I’ve always supported projects and programs to enhance this important industry,” Davis said.  “Particularly in light of our recent difficulties brought by Hurricane Katrina, it is an honor for me and a boon for our parish to receive this national recognition.”           

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