2024 Louisiana Travel Summit
Several Visit Lake Charles representatives traveled to Shreveport at the end of August for this year’s Louisiana Travel Summit, where they attended educational workshops and networked with peers from across the state.
Summit featured a keynote address from Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, who addressed the latest trends and the importance of tourism in Louisiana. Our team also participated in engaging sessions: One session highlighted the value of embracing the quirky and unique aspects of destinations, while another focused on social inclusion, highlighting the need for welcoming environments and diversity, and the advocacy panel provided essential strategies for civic engagement.
Next year, summit returns to Southwest Louisiana with Visit Lake Charles hosting the event on August 26-28, 2025, at the Golden Nugget Lake Charles. We look forward to showcasing our city and providing an exceptional experience for all attendees.
LSAE Annual Convention
Emily Treme, director of association sales and Madison Yates, destination services specialist, recently attended the LSAE (Louisiana Society of Association Executives) Annual Convention in Lafayette. This event provided educational courses and networking opportunities, with a focus on addressing professional burnout, navigating generational differences, engaging members, and preparing for economic challenges.
Treme also participated in a panel discussion on how Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) can support associations with their conference needs.
Additionally, Taylor Beard Stanley, vice president of sales, was named 2024 Supplier of the Year for her dedication to delivering outstanding experiences for clients and partners. Visit Lake Charles will host the LSAE Annual Convention in 2025, further solidifying its commitment to fostering collaboration and growth within the association community.
Upcoming Mardi Gras Museum Groundbreaking
Mark your calendars! The Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu will break ground on its new facility on Oct. 1. at 11:00 a.m. Located in the Nellie Lutcher Cultural District at 641 Enterprise Boulevard, this event represents a major milestone in rebuilding one of Southwest Louisiana’s most beloved cultural attractions.
Spanish Podcast Launch for Hispanic Heritage Month
To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Visit Lake Charles has launched its first Spanish-language podcast, Visita Lake Charles: Las Voces de Luisiana. Hosted by Candy Rodriguez, director of communications, this podcast series aims to connect with Spanish-speaking audiences by sharing the personal stories of four individuals from Hispanic and Latino cultures who now call Southwest Louisiana home. These guests will discuss how their traditions blend with the region’s Cajun and Creole culture, highlighting the unique fusion that makes Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana an inclusive destination. The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and YouTube, offering listeners a fresh perspective on Southwest Louisiana through the lens of the Hispanic community.
VLC Wins Best Digital Marketing Award
Visit Lake Charles recently won the Shining Example Award for Best Digital Marketing from the Southeast Tourism Society (STS) for its Tripscout campaign. Launched in March, the campaign delivered 5.2 million impressions—10% above its goal. The social media partnership with influencers Becky’s Travel List and Explore with Westley helped highlight the region’s attractions, food, and culture to visitors from the Texas drive market. The ongoing campaign continues to use influencer content to promote Southwest Louisiana's tourism assets. Timothy Bush, chief marketing officer, accepted the award at the STS Connections conference in Auburn, Alabama, where he also moderated the Shining Innovation Panel showcasing innovative marketing campaigns from this year’s Shining Example award submissions.
Timothy Bush Named Secretary
Bush was appointed as secretary of STS’s 2025 Board of Directors, where he will contribute his expertise to shaping strategic initiatives, providing insight into industry trends, and supporting the promotion of travel across the 14 Southeast Tourism Society member states.
STS Connections Coming to SWLA
Visit Lake Charles will host Southeast Tourism Society’s premier conference: STS Connections at the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino from September 8-11, 2025. The event will welcome over 300 tourism professionals for four days of education, networking, and inspiration. This is a significant opportunity for the local community to showcase the beauty and culture of Louisiana’s Playground.
Chuck Eats Restaurant Week Returns
Don’t miss out on Chuck Eats Restaurant Week, returning from January 17–26, 2025.
This 10-day foodie event is the perfect chance for local restaurants to showcase their unique dishes and attract diners from across Southwest Louisiana and beyond. Deals will be previewed on our website starting in November, so be sure to sign up for our eNewsletter to stay informed and get the most out of this exciting event at www.visitlakecharles.org/playlist. Submit your restaurant deal today at www.chuckeats.org!
Check out Tourism Works in the American Press on the last Thursday of each month.
