A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO - VISIT LAKE CHARLES THREE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
I'm pleased to announce the completion of our three-year strategic plan, a collaborative effort with Coraggio Group to steer our visitor-related economy and enrich Southwest Louisiana's quality of life. Our approach involved extensive stakeholder engagement, including one-on-one interviews, surveys and virtual listening sessions, ensuring diverse perspectives shaped the plan. The core planning team envisioned the future of tourism while considering the impact on historically marginalized communities. The Visit Lake Charles Three-Year Strategic Plan, a product of this comprehensive effort, is now available for download, outlining imperatives such as diversified tourism products, community development partnerships and data-driven decision-making. We invite you to explore the plan and contribute your insights, feedback and support as we collectively strive to position our region as a world-class destination. Your involvement is crucial to the success of this initiative, reflecting our shared commitment to Southwest Louisiana's bright future.
Kyle Edmiston
President/CEO
Visit Lake Charles
CONNECTING TX AND LA AT CONNECT TEXAS
Matt Young, director of association sales, and Madison Yates, destination services specialist, traveled to Texas for the annual Connect Texas event. The annual gathering brings together meetings and events professionals from across the region for engaging general sessions, informative roundtables, one-on-one business meetings and networking opportunities. Young and Yates will be working to connect and collaborate with the region’s leading planners and suppliers, establishing valuable connections for the future of meetings and events for Visit Lake Charles.
TOUR OPERATORS DISCOVER SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA
Visit Lake Charles hosted group tour operators from across the country in collaboration with the Louisiana Office of Tourism ahead of the National Tour Association's Travel Exchange in Shreveport. Their tour included a stop at Gator Chateau, where the operators had the unique experience of holding a baby gator, followed by Darrell's PoBoys for lunch. The group then traveled to Lake Charles, where the operators experienced a hands-on activity at Historic City Hall of decorating king cakes from The Bekery, touring Crying Eagle Brewery, and dining at Luna Bar & Grill South. These immersive tours allow travel and tour operators to experience Southwest Louisiana firsthand, enabling them to create appealing tours and unique experiences for visitors.
LOUISIANA GOES LONE STAR
Kathryn Shea Duncan, sr. director of social media/communications, traveled with L’Auberge Casino Resort Chef Lyle Broussard to Dallas, Texas, for this year's Louisiana Culinary Trails. The Louisiana Travel Association event brought together 17 talented chefs from Louisiana and Texas. Chef Broussard teamed up with Chef Louis Rainey of The Pelican House. The dining experience showcased Louisiana's diverse and flavorful offerings, providing Dallas residents with a taste of the Bayou State's culinary richness.
"LOUISIANA'S PLAYGROUND" PODCAST NAMES NEW CO-HOST
The Visit Lake Charles (VLC) podcast, "Louisiana's Playground," welcomes a new co-host, Jillian Corder, anchor and assistant news director at KPLC-TV. Teaming up with Brady Renard, director of content/video marketing, who is also her husband, Corder brings her award-winning storytelling skills and over a decade of TV news experience to the bi-weekly show. The podcast, known for celebrating Southwest Louisiana's culture and hidden gems, has gained global traction, accumulating nearly 6,000 listens across 25 countries in the past year. As the new co-host, Corder will bring fresh perspectives, promising more in-depth insights into the region's culinary delights, arts and diverse experiences. Listeners can hear Corder's debut on Episode 30, which marks the beginning of this exciting chapter for "Louisiana's Playground." New episodes air every other Wednesday. To stay connected with “Louisiana’s Playground” and learn more about Southwest Louisiana, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
SUBMIT YOUR CHUCK EATS RESTAURANT WEEK DEALS TODAY!
Visit Lake Charles is looking to team up with various restaurants for the second annual Chuck Eats Restaurant Week event happening Jan. 19-28, 2024. The 10-day foodie celebration allows local restaurant owners to connect with longtime customers and draw in new patrons through fixed-price or prix-fixe menus. Visit Lake Charles will market the event across Southwest Louisiana and other cities, including Houston, Dallas and Shreveport, to draw in additional hungry visitors to help bolster restaurant spending. Each restaurant has a $100 participation fee to cover some of the marketing campaign costs. Learn more about the event and how to sign up by visiting www.chuckeats.org.