LAPLACE — The Louisiana Travel Association recently introduced Buddy Boe, River Parishes Tourist Commission executive director, and Ethan Rodrigue, Laura Plantation sales and gift shop manager, as members of the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy class of 2019.

The Travel Association seeks to further educate those within the tourism industry by developing their leadership skills, strengthening their communication networks and informing them about the responsibilities of leadership in building and enriching their tourism-related organizations.

Class members participate in six class sessions and tackle group projects throughout the year, while learning from the experiences of seasoned tourism professionals.

Earlier this year, the River Parishes Tourist Commission implemented a tuition scholarship to the Leadership Academy for one employee of a River Region business in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Rodrigue is the 2019 recipient.

“I’m excited to participate with other tourism leaders in the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy,” Rodrigue said. “I look forward to learning from the group of established leaders in the tourism industry and using their expertise to better myself and organization.

Boe said it is an honor to work with this group of people, who are all striving to improve Louisiana’s tourism industry.

“I am looking forward to learning from everyone and bringing new ideas and practices back to the RPTC,” Boe said.