Visit Lake Charles Board of Directors

The Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau is governed by an 11-member board of directors. Nathaniel Allured is the Chair representing the Southwest Louisiana Festivals. Richert Self is the Vice Chair representing the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, and Eric Avery is the Secretary/Treasurer representing the Southwest Louisiana Restaurant Association.

2026 Board of Directors

Nathaniel Allured, Chair
Southwest Louisiana Festivals

Richert Self, Vice Chair
Calcasieu Parish Police Jury

Eric Avery, Secretary/Treasurer
Southwest Louisiana Restaurant Association

Evelyn White
West Calcasieu Community Center Authority

Derrick Morris
City of Lake Charles

Jay Kumar
City of Sulphur

Kala Kuhlthau
West Calcasieu Chamber of Commerce

Janie Fruge
Chamber Southwest

John Hamati
Southwest Louisiana Lodging Association

Jana Crain
Arts and Humanities of Southwest Louisiana

Tiffany Celestine
Southwest Louisiana Lodging Association

Upcoming Meeting Dates

PUBLIC NOTICE:
The Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the 2026 Board of Directors Meeting dates at their regularly scheduled meeting on December 11, 2025. The meetings will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau Welcome Center located at 1205 N. Lakeshore Dr. If you’d like to receive information on past BOD meetings, please email info@visitlakecharles.org. The meetings are open to the public. The agenda for the board meeting will be uploaded at least one (1) full business day before each meeting, and the minutes will be available once they are approved by the board at the next scheduled board meeting. If you would like to make a public comment or require electronic meeting accommodations as per Act 393 of 2023, you must make arrangements by 4 p.m. on the Tuesday before the board meeting by calling Shanna Landry at 337-502-4233.