Paragon Executive Joan Botts Elected Board Member for Louisiana Travel Association
MARKSVILLE, La. – Joan Botts, Vice President of Marketing for Paragon Casino Resort, was proudly installed as a Board Member of the Louisiana Travel Association (LTA) Board of Directors at its annual meeting. Botts has led the marketing efforts for Paragon Casino Resort for two years and calls Marksville home.
“It’s an honor to serve on the Louisiana Travel Association Board and contribute to advancing our state’s thriving tourism industry,” said Joan Botts, Paragon Casino Resort’s Vice President of Marketing. “I look forward to collaborating with such an esteemed group of professionals to drive innovation and growth in our sector.”
In her role at Paragon Casino Resort, Joan directs marketing initiatives for one of Louisiana’s first land-based casinos overseeing brand marketing, advertising, direct marketing, promotions and events, entertainment, player development, public/community relations, social media, strategic sponsorships and more.
“Joan’s exceptional leadership and deep expertise in marketing have been invaluable to Paragon Casino Resort,” said Marshall Ray Sampson, Sr., General Manager of Paragon Casino Resort. “Her appointment to the LTA Board reflects her dedication to enhancing tourism and her commitment to our industry’s growth.”
Joan brings decades of experience in the casino and resort industry, having previously led marketing teams in Durant, OK, Hot Springs, AR, and Shreveport/Bossier City, LA. Among her recent accomplishments is her participation in the 2024 Leadership CENLA program, serving as a 2023–2024 Board Member for the Marksville Chamber of Commerce, and spearheading numerous successful initiatives to promote regional tourism. In 2024, Paragon Casino Resort received the LTA’s “Accommodation of the Year” Award under Joan’s leadership.
New officers installed on the executive board committee include:
- Chair: Donna O’Daniels, Visit The Northshore
- Vice-Chair: Nelson Gumm, AJR Media Group
- Treasurer: Carla Tate, Tangi Tourism
- Secretary: Adrienne Breaux, The Royal Sonesta
- Immediate Past Chair: Ralph Ney, Baton Rouge Marriott
New members on the board of directors include:
- Joan Botts, Paragon Casino & Resort
- David Johnson, WATERMARK Baton Rouge
- Jill Silva, NOLA.com
- Beth Smiley, American Rose Center
- Sally Stiel, LSU Alumni Association
Returning members on the board of directors include:
- Jay Artigues, Southeastern Louisiana University Athletics
- Scott Ballard, Ballard Brands
- Ben Berthelot, Lafayette Travel
- Leslie Brewer, Destrehan Plantation & Houmas House
- Stacy Brown, Visit Shreveport-Bossier
- Ralph Calhoun, Biedenharn Museum & Gardens
- Alana Cooper, Discover Monroe-West Monroe
- Sondra Corbitt, Explore Houma
- Georgia Craven, Sabine Parish Tourist & Recreation Commission
- Aaron Dirks, Joieful
- Jay Ducote, JDD Consulting LLC
- Kyle Edmiston, Visit Lake Charles
- Cody Gray, Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou
- Greg Hennagin, Golden Nugget Lake Charles
- John Grubb, Baton Rouge Area Chamber
- Stephen Hightower, University Club Baton Rouge
- Jill Kidder, Visit Baton Rouge
- Walt Leger, New Orleans & Company
- Morgan Moss, The Myrtles Plantation & Blue House Hospitality
- Vimal “Ricky” Patel, Divi Hospitality
- Violet Peters, Visit Jefferson Parish
- Kristen Preau, Jambalaya Girl
- Jady Regard, Cane River Pecan Company
- Jay Sharplin, SharpCo Hotels
- Justin Vincent, Tiger Athletic Foundation
- Vito Zuppardo, Miles Partnership
- Rebecca Blankenbaker, Cane River National Heritage Area, Ex-Officio
- Doug Bourgeois, Louisiana Office of Tourism, Ex-Officio
“Our executive committee and board of directors play a crucial role in meeting the needs of our members and ensuring we achieve our goals of providing top-notch educational and marketing opportunities while advocating on behalf of the industry,” said Chris Landry, LTA President and CEO. “We are thrilled to begin another year with this exceptional group of industry leaders representing the entire state.”
Each year, the Chairman of the Board selects a nominating committee composed of members who are not up for re-election and are not seeking office. This committee presents a slate to the association members that reflects all regions of the state and segments of the tourism industry.
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About Paragon Casino Resort
Since opening its doors in 1994, Paragon Casino Resort has strived to become the premier entertainment/gaming destination in the South. Featuring luxury amenities and attractions, Paragon showcases over 1,000 slot machines, exciting table games, live poker, and high limits across a 64,000-square-foot gaming floor; a luxury hotel with 3 towers and 500+ rooms/suites; full-service spa and salon; Tamahka Trails Golf Club with its championship 18-hole golf course and a fully stocked pro-shop and clubhouse; indoor tropical pool; two outdoor pools; a soaring bayou-themed atrium complete with a live alligator habitat; 3-screen movie theater; Topgolf Swing Suite game simulators; restaurants (including buffet and steakhouse) & bars; Club MeZazz nightclub; a full-service top-rated RV resort with cabins; Kids Quest supervised child care activity center; Cyber Quest arcade; and over 75,000 square feet of meeting space, including an expansive showroom for concerts and conventions. Over the years, Paragon has made a significant economic impact on Central Louisiana and currently employs over 700 associates. Paragon was voted 2024 Best Blackjack in the Native South region, Casino Player Magazine along with 17 other Top 3 awards; voted 2024 one of the Fan Favorites Radiant Resorts by Resort Destinations Magazine; awarded the 2023 Accommodation of the Year by the Louisiana Travel Association; and voted 2022 Best Buffet in the Alexandria (LA) Town Talk’s Best of the Best Awards.
To learn more, visit www.paragoncasinoresort.com or follow them on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram or 800-946-1946.
About the Louisiana Travel Association
LTA is a trade association leading and strengthening Louisiana’s vibrant tourism industry through advocacy, education, and promotion on behalf of our members. Tourism generated $1.9 billion for Louisiana in 2023 and is the 4th highest employer in the state. For more information, visit LouisianaTravelAssociation.org.