Introducing Meeting Planners to Southwest Louisiana
Last month, Emily Treme, Director of Association Sales, and Morgan Dodd, Meeting Sales Manager, hosted five meeting planners from across the country, representing states like Texas, New Jersey, Colorado, and North Carolina. The visit offered planners an in-depth look at Southwest Louisiana’s diverse venues and attractions through site visits and immersive cultural experiences. Highlights included savoring local cuisine at various restaurants, strolling through downtown Lake Charles, and discovering the area’s rich history and renowned hospitality. This initiative not only showcased the destination’s potential for hosting future events but also fostered valuable relationships with key decision-makers. By positioning Lake Charles as a premier destination for conferences and meetings, the effort supports long-term goals of increasing sales and driving tourism growth.
Leadership Louisiana Graduate
Matt Young, director of public relations, recently completed the Leadership Louisiana program facilitated by the Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL). Since its founding in 1989, Leadership Louisiana has cultivated a network of over 1,500 influential leaders from diverse fields, including business, government, education, culture, and nonprofit sectors, to further enhance leadership and collaboration across the state.
Leadership Louisiana selects participants through a highly competitive process, seeking individuals dedicated to advancing their communities and contributing positively to the state's future. Throughout the yearlong program, participants engaged in six three-day sessions on key topics, such as economic development, public policy, education, and community growth, equipping them to drive positive change across Louisiana. Visit Lake Charles is proud of Matt’s accomplishment and looks forward to him showcasing all he’s learned to enhance his role at Visit Lake Charles, as well as broader initiatives that uplift Southwest Louisiana.
New Social Media Skills
Kathryn Shea Duncan, senior director of social media/communications, represented Visit Lake Charles at the SEE CrowdRiff conference in Austin, Texas, a hub for cutting-edge strategies in travel marketing and social media. By connecting with industry leaders and gaining hands-on insights into visual content and user-generated media, Duncan is helping to elevate our social media efforts to reach and inspire travelers effectively. This investment in innovative approaches strengthens our ability to showcase the unique charm of Southwest Louisiana, highlighting the critical role social media plays in driving tourism and connecting with visitors in today’s digital age.
Louisiana Meets the Colorado Rockies
Earlier this month, Duncan joined Chef Lyle Broussard of L’Auberge Casino Resort in Denver, Colorado, for the Louisiana Travel Association’s Culinary Trails program, which showcases the vital role of food in attracting visitors to Louisiana. During the Louisiana Meets the Rockies event, Chef Broussard impressed attendees with a Louisiana Crawfish & Sweet Potato Chowder, offering a delicious taste of Southwest Louisiana’s unique culinary scene. These events are instrumental in highlighting the region’s distinctive flavors, leaving a lasting impression that inspires travelers to experience Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana firsthand.
S.P.O.R.T.S. – The Relationship Conference
Eric Zartler, senior vice president of sports, recently attended the S.P.O.R.T.S. - The Relationship Conference, where he connected with sports event planners and suppliers. As the Executive Director of the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority (LCRSA), Zartler used the event to build key relationships that will help attract more sports events to the area.
US Olympic Sales Mission
Earlier this month, Zartler represented Visit Lake Charles at the 2024 Team Louisiana US Olympic Sales Mission in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He also got the chance to meet with decision-makers to promote Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana as a top destination for future Olympic and sports-related events. Lake Charles last hosted an Olympic event in 2019, when the city welcomed the USA Boxing National Championships and Olympic Trials for Boxing. This event brought over 8,000 overnight stays and generated an economic impact of more than $3 million, earning Visit Lake Charles the 2019 Major Event of the Year award from the Louisiana Travel Association.
Brand USA Travel Week
Kaitlyn Gallegos, director of global sales, attended Brand USA Travel Week in London, a premier event connecting U.S. destinations with international buyers. Organized by Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, the initiative aims to increase international travel to the U.S. During the tradeshow, Gallegos had the opportunity to engage with several buyers. This event is the only European tourism trade show dedicated to U.S. travel.
20-Something of the Year
Congratulations to Aubrey Caldwell, sports event coordinator, on being named Fusion Five’s 20-Something of the Year! Her work in sports tourism helps boost our economy and showcases the best of Southwest Louisiana to visitors and locals.
Check out Tourism Works in the American Press on the last Thursday of each month.
