Wednesday, 11 May, 2011 7:13
by Chris Jay
SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CITY, LA – The Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau will host the annual Shreveport-Bossier P.R.I.D.E. Awards Gala, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Thursday, May 12 at Sam’s Town Casino Ballroom. Designed to recognize Shreveport-Bossier’s most outstanding and exemplary tourism and hospitality employees, the P.R.I.D.E. Awards are held each year during National Travel and Tourism Week. The acronym P.R.I.D.E. stands for “Proud Residents Involved in Developing our Economy.” Awards will be presented in more than 30 categories, ranging from Outstanding Hotel Executive to Outstanding Valet. Entertainment for the evening will include Robin and the Bluebirds, Hugh “Poetic X” Hamilton and Professor Porkchop. Awards presentations will begin at approximately 7 p.m.
In addition to our region’s outstanding tourism and hospitality employees, P.R.I.D.E. Awards will be presented to representatives of venues, events, organizations and other partner entities that have helped grow and sustain the convention and tourism industries in the region.
“The frontline and managerial staffs of our region’s hotels, restaurants and attractions are the backbone of our area’s tourism industry,” said Stacy Brown, bureau president. “The P.R.I.D.E. Awards are our way of honoring them for a job well done.”
Tourism is a significant industry for Caddo and Bossier Parish. It employs more than 37,000 people and generates more than $21 million in local taxes for local governments. Because of tourism, each household located in Caddo or Bossier Parish saves $190. The Shreveport-Bossier
Convention and Tourist Bureau designates the entire month of May as Tourism Awareness
Month, during which time team-building events such as the P.R.I.D.E. Awards and the annual Hospitality Olympics are held.
P.R.I.D.E. Awards tickets are $25 each and may be purchased at the door. For more information, contact Chris Jay at (318) 429-0658 or (318) 272-1696.
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