April showcased the power of tourism to connect people, build community, and spark opportunity across Southwest Louisiana. Visit Lake Charles celebrated Global Meetings Industry Day with local leaders, hosted journalists for immersive experiences, and took the region’s story to national and international platforms. Each effort, from media days to major summits, highlighted the strength, spirit, and strategic vision shaping the future of tourism in our region. In this edition of Tourism Works, we’re recapping the milestones and momentum that made April a standout month for our team and partners.
Visit Lake Charles Impact
Global Meetings Industry Day
April marked a time of reflection and celebration as Visit Lake Charles joined destinations around the world in recognizing Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID). This annual celebration highlights the impact of meetings and events on local economies, supporting small businesses and showcasing communities like Southwest Louisiana. From corporate gatherings to regional conferences, these events extend far beyond meeting rooms - fueling activity at hotels, restaurants, attractions, and shops across the region.
This year’s GMID celebration highlighted the strength and growth of the meetings industry in Southwest Louisiana. In 2024, Visit Lake Charles hosted more than 129 meetings and events, resulting in an estimated $30 million in local economic impact. The sales team continues to secure valuable business by attending national trade shows and working closely with local partners to position the region as a competitive, welcoming destination for planners and attendees.
To mark the occasion, Visit Lake Charles partnered with L’Auberge Casino Resort and Scott Love, vice president of food and beverage, to host a media day. The event provided a behind-the-scenes look at how collaboration and hospitality come together to create successful events in the region. It also served as a platform to connect with local media and emphasize the importance of meetings to the local economy.
Media coverage from the event reached more than 711,000 people and included outlets such as KPLC-TV, American Press, The Advocate, and KYKZ 96.1 FM. The exposure helped amplify the message that meetings matter, not just for business, but for the broader Southwest Louisiana community.
Check out those stories here: American Press, KPLC 7 News, The Advocate
Visit Lake Charles On The Geaux
Destination Capitol Hill
Kyle Edmiston, president and CEO of Visit Lake Charles, attended Destination Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., joining over 400 travel leaders from across the country. As the premier advocacy event for the travel industry, DCH provides a critical platform to voice support for tourism-friendly policies and funding. Kyle’s participation helps strengthen Lake Charles’ visibility on the national stage, ensuring Southwest Louisiana’s tourism priorities are part of the conversation in Congress.
Destinations International’s 2025 Convention Sales & Services Summit
Taylor Beard Stanley, vice president of sales, and Madison Yates, destination services specialist, represented Visit Lake Charles at Destinations International’s 2025 Convention Sales & Services Summit in Alexandria, Virginia. This professional development event focused on leadership at all levels and collaboration across sales and services. The team gained valuable insights to enhance client experiences, grow meetings business, and bring innovative strategies back to Southwest Louisiana’s convention landscape.
Sports ETA Symposium
Eric Zartler, senior vice president of sports and the executive director for the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority, attended the Sports ETA Symposium in Tulsa, Oklahoma – one of the largest gatherings of sports tourism professionals in the country. Building on the momentum of earning his Sports Tourism Strategist certificate in 2024, Eric connected with top event organizers and industry leaders to explore new opportunities for Southwest Louisiana. His ongoing work continues to boost sports sales and spotlight Lake Charles as a leading destination for athletic events.
Sports ETA Women’s Summit
Succeeding in sports tourism means staying inspired, connected, and forward-thinking. Aubrey Caldwell, sports event & volunteer coordinator, represented Visit Lake Charles and the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority at the Sports ETA Women’s Summit in Tampa, Florida, an event led by top women in the industry to foster leadership, advocacy, and growth.
Aubrey connected with peers nationwide, gaining insights to strengthen community ties and support the role of women in sports tourism. She returned with fresh strategies to elevate Southwest Louisiana’s presence in the sports events space and fuel continued success for the region.
Simpleview Summit 2025
Visit Lake Charles was represented by Emily Treme, director of association sales; Colten Miller, senior director of brand marketing; and Aubrey Caldwell, sports event and volunteer coordinator, at the 2025 Simpleview Summit in San Francisco.
The annual conference brings together tourism professionals from around the world to explore innovative marketing and sales strategies tailored to destination organizations. With more than 40 sessions covering everything from content management to lead generation, the team gained practical tools to strengthen brand visibility, attract more group business, and enhance the visitor experience in Southwest Louisiana.
Travel South USA’s Global Summit
Thriving in today’s ever-evolving global travel landscape requires a blend of strategy, creativity, and strong industry relationships which is why Matt Young, director of public relations, alongside Kaitlyn Gallegos, director of global sales, joined international tourism leaders at Travel South USA Global Week in Louisville, Kentucky, representing Visit Lake Charles on a global stage.
Matt participated in one-on-one journalist appointments during the Media Marketplace, meeting with vetted media from Canada, Europe, Latin America, and Australia/New Zealand. These meetings are critical for telling the Southwest Louisiana story to high-value international travelers seeking authentic Southern experiences.
Throughout the week, Matt and Kaitlyn gained valuable insights into international marketing, trade strategies, third-party sales, and storytelling techniques aimed at growing the South’s market share and global appeal. With a collective goal of reaching $10 billion in international visitor spending across the region, the event emphasized the power of earned media, strategic partnerships, and collaborative efforts to elevate Louisiana’s presence in global travel markets.