People on the Move | May 2017

New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network Announces Interim Executive Director

LaDana Skidmore Williams has been named interim executive director of the New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network. The six-month tenure, which could be extended, began April 3.

Williams brings to her new role nearly two decades of tourism experience, marketing and management experience, both in and outside of Louisiana. Additionally, Williams was the former marketing director for the St. Tammany Parish Tourist Commission. She also served as an account executive at Peter Mayer for seven years, where she managed marketing programs for the Louisiana Office of Tourism. In that role, she managed a $9.3 million budget and fostered strategic alliances with national brands such as the NBA, The Weather Channel, Southern Living, Better Homes and Gardens, O Magazine, Bon Appétit and the Smithsonian.

“I am honored to work with and support the board of directors as they pursue the next direction for NOMTN,” Williams said. “The 2018 Tricentennial celebration will present the opportunity to develop new partnerships and expand the organization’s reach,” she added.

Founded in 1990, the New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network (NOMTN) works to strengthen diversity and to encourage multicultural visitation. Its mission is to identify and promote the cultural diversity of New Orleans and to increase leadership, career, and business opportunities at all levels of the hospitality industry. As such, we partner with local businesses and tourism entities to help keep the city we love in the hearts of travelers.

The Spears Group Promotes Morgan Ballard

The Spears Group is pleased to announce Morgan Ballard has been promoted to public relations account manager, effective immediately. Previously, she participated in the Junior Associate Program before joining Spears full-time as account coordinator in June 2016. As a new addition to the PR Account Managers team, she will manage her own client accounts as well as Spears Group’s internal projects and signature events.

Ballard, a New Orleans native, received her B.A. degree in Mass Communication with a concentration in Public Relations from Loyola University New Orleans, where she led the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Bateman Team to win second place in the national Bateman Case Study Competition. Additionally, the team received the highest local industry honor, the Silver Anvil. During her time with Spears Group, she was also awarded Most Promising Person of the Year by the Advertising Club of New Orleans.

“During my time with Spears, I have been able to participate in and support remarkable clients and events like Fried Chicken Festival and NBA All-Star Weekend to name a few,” said Ballard. “I am both humbled and appreciative of the opportunity for continuous growth in the company. I am eager to help the team reach all new heights in my new role.”

Currently, Ballard is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana and a ballet teacher for the New Orleans Dance Collective.