MONROE-WEST MONROE, La. – Discover Monroe-West Monroe (DMWM) ended an evening of tourism updates, dinner, champagne toasting and award recognitions Thursday night during the Golden Heron Awards at The Hotel Monroe’s Opera House Ballroom.
While honoring 50 years of tourism in Ouachita Parish, DMWM spotlighted President and CEO Alana Cooper and her work in tourism of 30 years.
After DMWM showed a video with the 50 individuals featured in its recently released Faces of Tourism digital magazine, hosts Chief Meteorologist Jarod Floyd and Miss Louisiana 2025, Gabrelle McLeod introduced the 5 Star Recognitions. They announced twenty (20) 5 Star Recognitions in between presentations of the main awards:
Golden Heron Awards
- Association Meeting Event of the Year: 2025 State Workshop of The Epsilon Omicron chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated – Nanadeaner McDowell and Deionne Kline
- Tourism Events Excellence Award: National Cutting Horse Association – Eastern National Championship; Shianne Megel – Director of Shows
- Louisiana State Games Event Operator Award: Mike McDaniel with Louisiana State Games Track and Field
- Signature Stay Award: Quality Inn West Monroe – Lynde Eastman and Chitquita Massey
- Volunteer of the Year Award: Kanzadia Brothers
- Tourism Ambassador of the Year Award: Steve Birmingham
- Restaurant of the Year: Flying Heart Brewing & Pub
- Volunteer Group of the Year: Louisiana LunaChicks of NELA
- Holiday Spirit Award: Geaux Bright – Paul Thomas and Kyler Thomas
- Attraction of the Year: Duck Commander Store and Museum
- Julia Trichell Award: Janie Russ
5 Star Recognitions
- Betty Rigal, West Monroe Sports and Events
- CeCe McGhee, Delta Biscuit
- Colton Bernstein, ULM Rec Services
- Phyllis Foster, Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum
- Edgie Cowart, Southern Hospitality Services
- Ebony Hargrove, Fairfield Inn West Monroe
- Kelli Grabener, Holiday Inn Express
- Etheldra Sharp, Wingate by Wyndham
- Fernando Swan, The Hotel Monroe
- Shirley Stewart, Monroe Regional Airport
- Jennalee Shows, Landry Vineyards
- Tyler Thrailkill, West Monroe Sports and Events
- Mya Smith, Parish Restaurant and Sushi KōKō
- Ani Girey, Local Photographer
- Lee Carter, Mohawk Restaurant
- Mark Henderson, Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo
- Hollie Boudreaux, Chennault Aviation & Military Museum
- Jim Kolinski, Black Bayou Lake NWR
- Glen Howland, Christmas at the Biedenharn
- Brandi Majeska, Louisiana LunaChicks of NELA