Matt Young was recently hired as the director of association sales at Visit Lake Charles where he will focus on convention sales and growing group business to enhance the local economy. He joins the team after serving as the public information officer for the City of Lake Charles Mayor’s Office, and most recently, the director of cultural affairs.
Young has a vast amount of experience with governmental relations, marketing, event planning and facility management. While at the City of Lake Charles, Young served under two mayoral administrations, as well as organized events such as Downtown at Sundown and Light Up the Lake Christmas Festival. He also coordinated traveling exhibitions at Historic City Hall and managed Central School Arts & Cultural Center.
“Exploring Lake Charles’ outdoor experiences, attractions, restaurants, and live music venues is my favorite thing to do in Southwest Louisiana,” said Young. “I’m thrilled to now be working with state associations to showcase all that we have to offer here in Louisiana’s Playground.”
A Southwest Louisiana native, Young returned to the region in 2009 to serve as executive director of the Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana. Under Young’s leadership, the Council initiated the first Live at the Lakefront concert series, and that event has continued to thrive over the years as a signature event for the spring.
“We are ecstatic to have Matt Young join the team at Visit Lake Charles. His dynamic experience will be beneficial to reaching our organization goals, and his background in promotions, public relations, and working with municipalities will be an asset for connecting with associations and attracting group business to the Lake Area,” said Taylor Beard Stanley, vice president of sales at Visit Lake Charles.
Young is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in communications, political science and public relations. He has volunteered for the community in a number of capacities with the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation, the American Cancer Society, Junior League of Lake Charles, and the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury.
For more information on Visit Lake Charles and things to see, do, and experience in Louisiana’s Playground, go to www.visitlakecharles.org.
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