October was a month of expanding horizons for Visit Lake Charles, with the team taking strategic steps to elevate Southwest Louisiana on both national and international stages. From representing the region at Brand USA Travel Week in London and reconnecting with Canada’s top travel markets, to showcasing Louisiana’s Playground at Taste Louisiana in New York City and hosting fall FAMs for top-tier media, the team strengthened partnerships, broadened visibility, and built pipelines that drive visitation. October also saw key engagement in sports tourism, energy, and cultural initiatives, reinforcing the region’s reputation as a destination ready to welcome visitors, events, and investment alike.
Visit Lake Charles Impact
As the U.S. travel forecast signals slower inbound growth for 2025 but a stronger rebound beginning in 2026, destinations must act now to secure their share of future demand. Visit Lake Charles treated October as a strategic moment: our team pursued targeted international and national outreach to build awareness, product pipelines, and trade relationships that will pay dividends when global visitation returns. From Brand USA Travel Week in London and the Louisiana–Canada mission to product-development workshops with Travel South and CrowdRiff Converge on the future of AI-driven discovery, we moved proactively to position Louisiana’s Playground in front of buyers, media and technology leaders.
These efforts matter because visibility converts to opportunity. Hosting the 21st Americas LNG Summit demonstrated our capacity to welcome large international professional audiences; Taste Louisiana in New York and a series of fall FAMs put our culinary and cultural story before top-tier press; and our sports team’s participation in national summits strengthened pipelines for tournaments and group business that fill rooms and support local businesses. Collectively, October’s work increases awareness, expands partnerships, and drives visitation that creates measurable economic benefits for Southwest Louisiana.
Visit Lake Charles on the Geaux
Connecting Internationally
Expanding Southwest Louisiana’s reach beyond U.S. borders continues to be a top strategic priority for Visit Lake Charles. In October, President & CEO Kyle Edmiston and Director of Global Sales Kaitlyn Gallegos represented the region at Brand USA Travel Week in London, an influential international trade event that unites U.S. destinations with top travel buyers and media from across the U.K. and Europe. The week featured a series of B2B appointments, networking sessions, and market insights focused on driving global visitation to the United States – and ensuring destinations like Lake Charles are part of that conversation.
This engagement builds on Kaitlyn’s work abroad in September, when she joined the Louisiana–Canada Mission with the Louisiana Office of Tourism, reconnecting with media, trade, and travel partners in Toronto, Montréal, and Québec City. With Canada continuing to lead as our largest international market, these partnerships are essential to sustaining and growing visitation. Kaitlyn also participated in the Travel South RTO Product Development Workshop, an exclusive industry forum dedicated to developing new itineraries, cultivating relationships with receptive tour operators, and positioning the American South, and Louisiana’s Playground, for future international growth.
Taste Louisiana in NYC
Visit Lake Charles joined the Louisiana Travel Association in New York City for the Taste Louisiana event at Chelsea Market, where Executive Chef Lyle Broussard of Crying Eagle Brewing – Lakefront impressed guests with Ahi tuna and Louisiana blue crab nachos at this sold-out culinary showcase. Representing Southwest Louisiana were Candy Rodriguez, director of communications, and Amber Jay, executive director of marketing & events at Crying Eagle Brewing Company, sharing the story of Louisiana’s Playground and the exciting new Crying Eagle Lakefront.
The following evening, Candy joined Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Tourism at the iconic James Beard House for A Louisiana Table, a celebration of Louisiana’s food culture led by Chef John Folse as part of LOT’s Year of Food initiative.
At both events, Candy connected with top media and influencers from Food & Wine, Forbes, Vogue, Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, and other leading outlets – promoting Southwest Louisiana’s culinary scene to national and international audiences.
Building SWLA’s Playbook
Sam Moore, Director of Sports Relations, attended the Summer Ball Summit in Nashville to build relationships with event owners and rights holders, expand event pipelines, and identify opportunities for new tournaments and group business. These efforts, combined with targeted product-development workshops and trade meetings, directly support our strategy to keep rooms filled and dollars flowing to local businesses.
Earlier in the month, Aubrey Caldwell, sports event coordinator, represented Visit Lake Charles at the Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA) 4S Summit in Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, where industry leaders shared insights on leveraging nontraditional venues, utilizing technology and AI for prospecting and client engagement, and building long-term partnerships through transparency and collaboration. Discussions also emphasized prioritizing inclusion, community engagement, and maximizing local impact – strategies Visit Lake Charles is eager to apply to strengthen Southwest Louisiana’s sports tourism offerings.
Together, these experiences reaffirm the importance of innovation, collaboration, and forward-thinking strategy in positioning Southwest Louisiana as a premier destination for sports events.
Leading the AI Conversation in Travel
This month, Kathryn Shea Duncan, senior director of social media/communications, was one of only 19 destination marketing leaders selected from more than 90 applicants to attend CrowdRiff Converge in Parksville, British Columbia. The immersive, invitation-only event convened innovators from across North America to explore how artificial intelligence and generative search are transforming the way travelers discover destinations and how destinations express their identities in a digital-first world.
Discussions centered on the evolving relationship between technology and storytelling – from the integrity of data and the language of search to the responsibility of keeping human creativity at the heart of innovation. Kathryn Shea’s participation underscores Visit Lake Charles’ commitment to staying ahead of industry trends, ensuring that Louisiana’s Playground continues to lead with authenticity, creativity, and purpose in the next era of travel marketing.
Around the Destination
Fall FAMS in SWLA
In October, Matt Young, director of public relations, continued to strengthen Visit Lake Charles’ media relationships by hosting several key writers whose work reaches regional and national audiences. Southern Living contributor Nicole Letts visited to experience the area’s culture, food, and outdoor offerings firsthand. Later in the month, Jason Phillips of Atlanta Southbound explored Lake Charles during Chuck Fest, capturing the city’s signature blend of music, art, and community spirit. We also welcomed Robin O’Neal Smith, a national travel writer, for the Fall Fest FAM to highlight seasonal experiences and local charm.
Global LNG Summit Meets in SWLA
Lake Charles recently served as the host city for the 21st Americas LNG Summit & Exhibition, held October 19–21 at L’Auberge Casino Resort. The international event brought together more than 2,000 delegates, 150 speakers, and 100 exhibitors from over 50 countries — including some of the world’s leading voices in energy, policy, and innovation.
Over the course of two days of presentations and discussions, participants explored the future of liquefied natural gas (LNG), global energy security, and economic growth under the theme “Building Global Energy Security, Fueling Domestic Growth.” Hosting this high-level summit positioned Southwest Louisiana as a key player in international energy conversations and underscored the region’s growing reputation as a hub for investment, collaboration, and innovation.
Visit Lake Charles was proud to serve as a host partner alongside the City of Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, SWLA Economic Development Alliance & Chamber SWLA, Port of Lake Charles, and the Cameron Port, Harbor & Terminal District. These partnerships made it possible to showcase our community’s hospitality, infrastructure, and strategic importance to decision-makers from around the world.
Applications Open for Tourism Marketing Initiative (TMI) Grant
The Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana, in partnership with Visit Lake Charles, has opened applications for the 2026 Tourism Marketing Initiative (TMI) Grant Program. The program supports arts and cultural organizations in Calcasieu Parish by funding marketing efforts that promote the region’s vibrant creative community.
Eligible organizations may apply for grants ranging from $500 to $2,000 to enhance cultural tourism and audience engagement.
Key Dates:
- Applications Open: October 20, 2025
- Deadline: November 21, 2025
- Virtual Workshop: November 3, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
Guidelines, applications, and workshop registration are available online. Completed applications should be submitted to cdc@ahcswla.org by November 21, 2025.
By supporting creative organizations, the TMI Grant helps expand cultural tourism, enhance the visitor experience, and enrich life in Southwest Louisiana.
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