From growing leadership skills to setting the stage for major events, July was a month of meaningful movement and wins for Visit Lake Charles. Our team continues to elevate Southwest Louisiana’s presence through professional development, strategic engagement, and planning efforts that support the long-term growth of our region’s tourism economy.
Visit Lake Charles Impact
Leading with Purpose
Southwest Louisiana’s tourism industry is only as strong as the people leading it, and this month, Visit Lake Charles (VLC) continued to raise the bar. At the Destinations International (DI) Annual Convention in Chicago, three VLC team members – Taylor Beard Stanley, Kathryn Shea Duncan, and Colten Miller – earned their Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) designation, the highest credential in destination marketing. Additionally, Aubrey Caldwell was also named to the prestigious 30 Under 30 program, recognizing emerging talent in the industry.
Destinations International is the global association for destination organizations and offers a variety of programs ranging from education and best practices for destination organizations to recognition and networking opportunities that help leaders and tourism professionals stay connected and informed.
These milestones reflect more than personal achievements as they showcase VLC’s commitment to building a team of experts whose knowledge and leadership directly support our partners, our community, and the visitor experience with the goal of strengthening the economic impact of tourism across Southwest Louisiana. This dedication is further acknowledged by VLC’s recent reaccreditation through the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP), a global standard that recognizes excellence and professionalism in destination marketing and management.
“I am very proud of our team,” said Kyle Edmiston, president and CEO of Visit Lake Charles. “At Visit Lake Charles, we believe in giving our team members opportunities to grow and excel professionally. Aubrey’s recognition as a member of this year’s 30 under 30 class, as well as Taylor, Kathryn Shea, and Colten’s completion of the CDME program, reflects their dedication to professional growth and leadership within the tourism industry.”
With these new certifications, Visit Lake Charles now has nine CDME-certified team members. Caldwell becomes the third current team member to have received this honor, joining Stanley and Duncan in representing Visit Lake Charles among the industry’s emerging leaders.
In addition, Chief Marketing Officer Timothy Bush shared Visit Lake Charles’ expertise as a panelist during the breakout session “Uncharted Marketing: Bold Strategies for DMOs on Any Budget” at the Destinations International Annual Convention.
During the convention, Visit Lake Charles President and CEO Kyle Edmiston was named Chair-Elect of the 2025–26 Board of Directors for Destinations International.