Experience Ruston Wins STS 2020 Shining Example Award

Written by: Amanda Quimby Carrier, TMP

The Experience Ruston team accepted the award Tuesday, Feb. 11 in Little Rock, AR at the STS awards banquet.

During 2019, Experience Ruston made exceptional efforts to promote tourism in Ruston & Lincoln Parish as well as engage locals, connect community partners, and maximize economic impact within the parish. These efforts were made by hosting large and small-scale events, building partnerships with other tourism agencies and local entities, staff development, implementing new programs, awarding grants, creating more useful marketing assets, and conducting a three-year strategic plan. With a 9% increase in budget, Experience Ruston was also able to invest in new projects and increase marketing efforts in order to further establish and promote Ruston & Lincoln Parish as a thriving tourism destination.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized by industry peers for all the hard work that our staff put into the 2019 year,” says Travis Napper, Experience Ruston President/CEO. “To organize and host two national championships along with many other large events, as well as keep our destination in front of potential visitors was a tremendous feat, and one that we hope to build upon in 2020.”

This award follows the announcement Experience Ruston also receiving the Louisiana Travel Association’s 2020 Louey Award for Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau of the Year. Upon accepting both awards Napper gave recognition to the Experience Ruston staff and to all of the partners who make the Ruston & Lincoln Parish community so special.STS is an association that works to unite all segments of the travel and tourism industry through its four pillars of education, advocacy, recognition, and networking.

STS is an association that works to unite all segments of the travel and tourism industry through its four pillars of education, advocacy, recognition, and networking. Shining Example Awards highlight some of the best work in travel and tourism. Winners of the award are viewed as examples that others in the industry can follow. Nominees are judged by a committee of industry professionals. STS is an engaged network of 1000+ members from these twelve states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.