Lauren Knicely Appointed Director of Sales & Marketing at Hilton Shreveport

Lauren Knicely has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at Hilton Shreveport, following her promotion from Group Sales Manager and marking a new stage in a 20-year career with the property. A Shreveport native and Louisiana Tech University graduate, Knicely joined Hilton Shreveport as part of its pre-opening team two decades ago and has become the hotel’s longest-tenured employee. During her tenure, extensive knowledge of the Shreveport-Bossier market has been developed alongside long-standing relationships with customers and community partners. As Group Sales Manager, she managed a diverse portfolio covering sports tourism, entertainment and film, education, conventions and social business. Her responsibilities included supporting entertainment tour stops and coordinating large-scale conventions, with a client-focused approach being applied to customised programmes. The promotion places sales and marketing leadership under an executive with longstanding knowledge of the local market and established community connections. Revenue development, key partnerships and the hotel’s broader sales and marketing strategy will be central to her new responsibilities. Her experience at Hilton Shreveport, from the property’s pre-opening period through its ongoing operations, provides continuity as the hotel’s commercial strategy enters its next phase.

What role has Lauren Knicely taken?

Lauren Knicely has been promoted to Director of Sales & Marketing at Hilton Shreveport, moving from her previous position as Group Sales Manager.

The promotion expands her responsibilities to include leadership of the property’s sales and marketing strategy.

How long has Knicely worked at Hilton Shreveport?

Kn​​icely has been associated with Hilton Shreveport for 20 years. She joined the property as part of its pre-opening team and has subsequently become its longest-tenured employee.

Her extended tenure has provided detailed familiarity with the property, its market and its community relationships.

What market experience does she bring?

Kn​​icely has developed extensive knowledge of the Shreveport-Bossier market and established relationships with customers and community partners.

That local experience will be applied to sales development, partnership building and marketing activity in her new leadership position.

Which sectors has she managed?

As Group Sales Manager, Knicely managed business across sports tourism, entertainment and film, education, conventions and social business.

The portfolio provided exposure to different customer groups and event requirements, including entertainment tour stops and large-scale conventions.

What will be her new responsibilities?

Her new responsibilities will include leading sales and marketing strategy, supporting revenue development and strengthening relationships with important business and community partners.

Her established market knowledge is expected to support the development of customised programmes and commercial opportunities.

Which areas will be covered?

How has her career developed?

Kn​​icely’s career has developed entirely around Hilton Shreveport, beginning before the hotel opened and progressing to senior commercial leadership.

Her experience has included group sales management and the coordination of programmes for a wide range of customers. This progression provides continuity as she takes responsibility for the property’s wider sales and marketing activities.

What is her approach to clients?

A creative and client-first approach has been associated with Knicely’s work. Programmes have been customised around individual requirements, ranging from entertainment tour stops to major conventions.

The approach is expected to continue under her expanded responsibilities, with customer relationships remaining an important component of commercial development.

Why is local knowledge important?

Knowledge of the Shreveport-Bossier hospitality market provides an established foundation for sales and marketing leadership. Existing relationships with customers and community partners can support continued business development and collaboration.

The experience also provides familiarity with local tourism, events, entertainment, education and convention activity.

What does the promotion mean for Hilton Shreveport?

The promotion places an experienced internal leader at the centre of the hotel’s commercial strategy. Knicely’s long tenure provides continuity while her expanded responsibilities create a broader mandate across sales, marketing, revenue development and partnerships.

Her understanding of the local market will be particularly relevant to the hotel’s relationships with businesses, tourism stakeholders and community organisations.

What happens next?

Knicely will lead Hilton Shreveport’s sales and marketing strategy as the property enters its next commercial phase. Revenue opportunities, customer relationships and community partnerships will remain central to her responsibilities.

Her 20 years with the property, including participation in its pre-opening team, provide extensive operational and market familiarity for the expanded role.