 Founded in New Orleans in 1961, the Hospitality Education and Networking Association (HENA) has become one of the leading business associations for the marketing arm of New Orleans' hospitality industry. In recent years, HENA has boasted a membership of over 600 members. There are three major thrusts to HENA: networking, education and community involvement.
The purpose of the Hospitality Education and Networking Association is to maintain and improve the standards of sound business practices and to encourage and foster a high standard of professional ethics and conduct among those engaged in hospitality related sales, sales promotion, publicity, public relations and advertising.
How can HENA Benefit You?
Our monthly meetings provide the opportunity to network with your peers in the hospitality industry. Meetings are held at a different venue each month to give members a peek at the wide variety of possibilities that the New Orleans area has to offer. These meetings are very informal and free-flowing, providing lots of time to mix, mingle and meet both new members to our industry and reestablish ties to old acquaintances. These meetings regularly boast over 100 members each month.
HENA hosts special educational seminars each quarter in order to offer each member the means to accomplish both personal and professional goals. Seminars are typically held in a half-day format or prior to networking meetings in order to interfere as little as possible with our members' work schedules and cover a variety of topics so that there will be something for everyone.
Through HENA's monthly newsletter "Hospitality Hotline" (now available online), we keep our members informed on what's happening across our industry. This publication also provides the opportunity to purchase advertising and we regularly run a "Members In the News" article which highlights our members who have been promoted, changed jobs or won awards.
Each year HENA members eagerly look forward to our Annual Convention. At this convention, held outside of New Orleans, networking is a major plus, but is done in a more relaxed atmosphere. Guest speakers are always a high-point of the morning educational session and the topics are varied to keep everyone interested.
HENA also hosts an annual Supplier Showcase event. This annual trade show gives suppliers a chance to show off what they can do for our members during a fun filled and exciting evening. Showcases have regularly attracted over 500 guests and members each year!
Each paid member of HENA receives access to HENA's online membership roster. This password protected area of the HENA website contains the entire HENA directory and includes company names, addresses, phone and fax numbers, email and web addresses as well as the contact names. (All of which are in searchable fields.)
Scholarships
HENA sponsors annual scholarships to three local educational groups through the "Meg Stockard Scholarship Program." These scholarships go to worthy students in the New Orleans Parish High School Hotel Restaurant and Tourism Program, Delgado Community College and the University of New Orleans Hotel Restaurant and Tourism Program. Through these scholarships, and HENA's student chapter at UNO, HENA hopes to bring new members into New Orleans' hospitality industry that are both excited about, and well educated in, their chosen field.
Past Presidents
Albert Aschauffenburg 1961-1962
George Sturm 1962-1963
*Charles V. Grigsby 1963-1965
* H. Edward Frashier 1965-1966
Ronald E. Couget 1966-1967
Hank Schwager 1967-1968
*Steve Sibley 1968-1969
Philip H. Cagnon 1969-1970
Robert LeBlanc 1970-1971
William R. McGillicuddy 1971-1972
William A. Neff 1972-1973
Daniel E. Mobley 1973-1974
Virginia Finnegan 1974-1975
*Phillip D. Robinson 1975-1976
*Jim Vickers 1976-1977
Stuart Barash 1977-1978
Roland Bahan 1978-1979
Tim Grambley 1979-1980
Gayle Murphy 1980-1981
Gary McGiboney 1981-1982
Michael Valentino 1982-1983
Darlene Kattan 1983-1984
Jimmy Dyar 1984-1985
*H. Edward Frashier 1986
Dayna McCloskey 1987
Jimmy Dyar 1988
Tommy Morel 1989
Marc Becker 1990
Mary McGee 1991-1992
*Meg Stockard 1993
Diana Clark, CHA CHE 1994
Chip Stansbury 1995
Bryan Dupepe, Jr. 1996
John Steffes 1997
Andrea Thornton 1998
Pam Sitzman 1999
Christy Himel 2000
*Laura Joachim 2000-2001
Jim Fewell 2001-2002
Jennifer Lalumia 2002-2003
Bart Pouwels 2003-2005
David Rome 2005-2006
Pam Vitrano Buie 206-2007
Sharon Reuther 2007-2008
*deceased
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