Visit Lake Charles Impact
Visit Lake Charles kicked off the new year with the release of its 2025 Business Plan, a blueprint designed to position Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana as a world-class destination fostering economic growth for the community. The plan focuses on innovation, collaboration, and community impact, driving growth in marketing, sales, sports tourism, and destination development to keep the region competitive.
“Every goal and strategy outlined in our 2025 Business Plan is about pushing our destination forward,” Edmiston said. “Tourism is an economic powerhouse for Southwest Louisiana, and Visit Lake Charles is leveraging its talented team, strategic partnerships, and creative campaigns to drive meaningful engagement through marketing, build successful relationships in sales and sports tourism, and amplify our impact to attract new visitors and elevate the community.”
Key highlights of the plan include the expansion of the award-winning “As Much Joy As You Can Pack In” campaign, leveraging success in the sports tourism world following the launch of the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority, and ongoing efforts to revitalize and open key attractions like the Mardi Gras Museum and Port Wonder. The complete 2025 Business Plan is available at visitlakecharles.org/about-us.org, and watch insights from each department head by clicking on the picture above.
Visit Lake Charles On the Geaux:
Strengthening Industry Connections at LARVC
At the end of January, President & CEO Kyle Edmiston had the privilege of speaking at the Louisiana Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (LARVC) 2025 Annual Convention at Horseshoe Lake Charles Hotel & Casino. Events like these provide an opportunity to connect and highlight the importance of partnerships in showcasing the incredible camping experiences in Southwest Louisiana.
Visit Lake Charles Leaders Engage in Destination Leadership
Edmiston, along with two Visit Lake Charles Board members, Vice Chair Nathaniel Allured, representing Southwest Louisiana Festivals, and Secretary/Treasurer Hiren Zaveri, representing Southwest Louisiana Lodging Association, recently attended the Board Leadership for Destinations: A Symposium on Best Practices in Orlando, Florida.
The two-day immersion event is a gathering of tourism leaders dedicated to shaping the future of destination marketing and leadership. This event provided an opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders, discuss emerging trends, and explore strategies to enhance the visitor experience in Southwest Louisiana.
By engaging in high-level conversations and knowledge-sharing sessions, Visit Lake Charles continues to position the region as a forward-thinking destination, ensuring sustainable growth and long-term success in the ever-changing travel market. The insights gained from this gathering will help strengthen partnerships, refine marketing strategies, and drive innovative initiatives.
Young Represents Southwest Louisiana at IMM NYC
Visit Lake Charles Director of Public Relations Matt Young attended TravMedia’s International Media Marketplace (IMM) in New York City this month, a premier global networking event for travel industry professionals.
In just one day, Young connected with 21 travel journalists, sharing the authentic charm, vibrant culture, and natural beauty that make Southwest Louisiana a unique destination. IMM, now in its 13th year, is where the travel industry and media come together to cultivate relationships, collaborate, and spark ideas that inspire travel worldwide.
Around the Destination
Visit Lake Charles Hosts TTM World Delegation to Boost International Tourism
Visit Lake Charles recently welcomed a delegation from TTM World, a travel and tourism marketing group that specializes in representation in the U.K. and Ireland, as part of an effort to enhance the parish's global tourism presence. Led by Director of Global Sales, Kaitlyn Gallegos, and Young, the group explored the area's unique attractions, including the highly anticipated Port Wonder, as well as Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center and Imperial Calcasieu Museum. Their visit also included local dining experiences that showcase the unique Cajun and Creole culinary offerings found only in Southwest Louisiana.
The delegation’s visit was hosted in partnership with the Louisiana Office of Tourism and followed their presentation at this year’s Tourism Sales and Marketing Educational Seminar. The partnership aims to position Lake Charles as a must-visit destination for international travelers, leveraging TTM World's expertise in global marketing and travel industry connections. The visit is expected to generate increased awareness and potential future collaborations that will contribute to the region's economic growth through tourism.