Visit Lake Charles Impact
This month, Visit Lake Charles (VLC) and Golden Nugget Lake Charles have been recognized with Louisiana Travel Association Louey Awards at the association's Annual Meeting in Monroe. Visit Lake Charles earned the Silver Louey Award for Tourism Campaign of the Year for its "As Much Joy As You Can Pack In" campaign. Now in its third year, this campaign has generated more than 52 million impressions, increased website traffic by 35% year-over-year, and contributed to a rise in overnight stays. Through bold visuals, engaging storytelling, and strategic digital marketing, we've captured the energy of Southwest Louisiana, inspiring travelers to experience everything our region has to offer.
Golden Nugget Lake Charles was named Accommodation of the Year for its commitment to world-class entertainment, signature culinary experiences, and exceptional hospitality. Hosting more than 100 major events annually and drawing thousands of visitors to Southwest Louisiana, Golden Nugget continues to set the standard for premier accommodations in the region.
The recognition doesn't stop there. At the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI)—the global organization dedicated to advancing the sales, marketing, and revenue optimization disciplines in the hospitality industry—Adrian Awards Celebration in New York, Visit Lake Charles was honored with two awards for excellence in tourism marketing. The "As Much Joy As You Can Pack In" campaign received a Bronze Adrian Award for the second consecutive year, reinforcing its success in increasing visitor engagement and driving record tourism growth.
Our partnership with Tripscout also earned another Bronze Adrian Award for an influencer-driven campaign that surpassed industry benchmarks. By leveraging curated content and precision-targeted email marketing, the campaign garnered more than 7.5 million impressions, increased travel intent by 19%, and drove higher engagement rates than the national average.
Awards highlight the dedication and passion behind our efforts to showcase Southwest Louisiana. Each recognition not only celebrates our team's hard work but also amplifies our region's presence on a national stage. These achievements strengthen our ability to attract visitors, boost economic growth, and highlight tourism's important role in our community's success.
Visit Lake Charles On the Geaux
Board Leadership for Destinations
Visit Lake Charles President and CEO Kyle Edmiston, along with two of our board members, Nathaniel Allured, the board's incoming chair representing Southwest Louisiana Festivals, and Hiren Zaveri, the board's vice chair representing the Southwest Louisiana Lodging Association, traveled to Orlando, Flordia, for the Board Leadership for Destinations conference, engaging in critical conversations about governance, advocacy, financial accountability, and leadership development. The trio engaged with industry experts on key topics, including succession planning, board diversity, and organizational culture. These discussions support VLC's commitment to innovation and excellence in destination leadership. Through professional development and strategic board engagement, Visit Lake Charles continues strengthening its role in driving sustainable tourism growth and community impact in Southwest Louisiana.
Global Leaders Forum 2025
Visit Lake Charles President and CEO Kyle Edmiston attended the 2025 Destinations International Global Leaders Forum in Dublin, Ireland, an event focused on the future of global tourism. The forum convened top destination leaders to discuss sustainability, inclusivity, and economic trends shaping the industry. The event provided strategic insights and collaborative solutions to strengthen worldwide destination marketing and tourism leadership.
2024 Marketing & Communications Summit
Taylor Beard Stanley, vice president of sales; Timothy Bush, chief marketing officer; and Kathryn Shea Duncan, senior director of social media/communications, attended the Destinations International's Marketing Communications Summit in Austin. Stanley and Duncan completed their final class for the Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) designation. Bush participated in a presentation alongside Zartico's Chief Operating Officer Nicole Brownell to showcase the power of data-driven storytelling for destinations. The summit provided valuable insights, networking opportunities, and professional development for the Visit Lake Charles team. Stanley, Duncan, and Colten Miller, senior director of brand marketing, will graduate this summer.
SportsETA Chief Executive Summit
Eric Zartler represented Visit Lake Charles at this year's SportsETA Chief Executive Summit, engaging with industry leaders to explore trends in sports tourism and event hosting. As the premier gathering for executives in the sports tourism industry, the summit provided a platform for high-level discussions on leadership, operations, crisis management, and strategic growth. Sports ETA, the leading trade association for sports and events tourism in the U.S., fosters a community dedicated to elevating the industry's impact. Through this experience, Zartler brought back fresh perspectives and strategies to strengthen Southwest Louisiana's position in the competitive sports tourism landscape, further advancing the mission of the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority.
American Bus Association (ABA) Marketplace
Kaitlyn Gallegos, director of global sales, and Madison Yates, destination services specialist, attended this year's American Bus Association (ABA) Marketplace in Philadelphia, Pa. During the event, they engaged with motorcoach tour operators and planners from across North America, including Canada, with the mission of promoting Southwest Louisiana. The marketplace also provided an opportunity for VLC to discover the latest trends in the motorcoach and tourism industry and gain insights from expert-led sessions on the evolving travel landscape while building key relationships to position Lake Charles as a premier destination for group tours.
Around the Destination
Hitting the Green
Eric Zartler, the executive director of the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority and senior vice president of sports, and Aubrey Caldwell, sports event & volunteer coordinator, represented Visit Lake Charles and the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority at the Southern Texas PGA Pro-Pro-Am-Am Golf Tournament at The Country Club at Golden Nugget Lake Charles. The event provided an opportunity to connect with golf professionals and highlight Lake Charles as a premier sports and outdoor recreation destination.
Visit Lake Charles Welcomes Indian Influencer