Lauren McCoart Appointed as the New Executive Director of Prestonsburg Tourism
Prestonsburg, KY – March 18, 2024 – The Prestonsburg Tourism Commission is happy to announce the appointment of Lauren McCoart as their new Executive Director. Bringing a wealth of experience and a deep passion for Appalachia, Lauren is set to continue and enhance the efforts to promote Prestonsburg as a prime destination for visitors of Eastern Kentucky.
A native of Van Lear, Kentucky, Lauren has always been deeply connected to Eastern Kentucky’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. She is a proud alumna of Western Kentucky University, where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism. Her career began as a news reporter for WYMT, where she specialized in telling the stories of Eastern Kentucky, focusing on uplifting the region’s tourism and community events.
Lauren joined Pikeville Tourism in March 2022 as the Assistant Director, where she has since made significant contributions to the tourism sector. Her role involved coordinating events, tours, and festivals, running the Pikeville Visitor Center, promoting tourism through social media, and securing state grants for various projects. Lauren’s creative and strategic efforts have substantially increased Pikeville’s visibility as a tourism destination.
Lauren expressed her excitement about her new role, saying, “I am honored to lead Prestonsburg Tourism and continue the fantastic work initiated by my predecessors. Promoting Appalachia and enhancing our community’s economic and cultural vibrancy is my passion. I look forward to working with the amazing team here to share Prestonsburg as a must-visit destination.”
The Prestonsburg Tourism Commission is confident that Lauren’s visionary leadership and commitment to community development will bring fresh perspectives to our tourism initiatives. McCoart will join the Prestonsburg Tourism office in late-March. Please join in welcoming Lauren McCoart as the new Executive Director of Prestonsburg Tourism.