Campaign for LSHOF wins HMT marketing pitch competition

NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University seniors Logan Chadwick of Logansport, Micah Armstrong of Pleasant Hill, Bradie Villemarette of St. Francisville and Faith Hinds of Pelican, from left, won first in a marketing pitch competition for developing a strategy specifically targeted to draw middle schoolers, their parents/guardians and teachers to explore the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in downtown Natchitoches.  The pitch was a capstone project for the Hospitality Management and Tourism (HMT) 4200 Marketing class in which students researched, prepared and presented a professional marketing proposal before a panel.  Three teams worked with area organizations — LSHOF, Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers and Toledo Bend Lake Country/Sabine Parish Tourist Commission – in creating new marketing plans and opportunities. The LSHOF team produced a promotional video, a plan to host a LSHOF Field Day for fifth-eighth graders, social media and advertising concepts, a detailed budget and a branded gift bundle for each panelist.  Judges were, seated, HMT Assistant Professor Dr. Timothy Bratt, Greg Burke, director of business develop and public relations for LSHOF; NSU President James Genovese, HMT Department Head Dr. Valerie Salter and Cameron Cherry, district manager of Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers. Information on NSU’s HMT program is available at https://www.nsula.edu/program/bachelor-of-science-in-hospitality-management-and-tourism/