News Room

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Sulphur will host the 2022 Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) Baseball State Tournament at McMurry Park, May 11-14. Semi-finals will begin on Wednesday, May 11, and finals will begin…

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (May 10, 2022) - The Visit Lake Charles Board of Directors recently granted $10,000 to the Avenue of Flags for the creation of the History Walk experience to highlight all versions…

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Visit Lake Charles hosted the inaugural R.O.S.E. (Recognition of Service Excellence) Awards ceremony on Monday, May 2, at L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles to honor outstanding employees in the…

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Visit Lake Charles hosted the annual R.O.S.E (Recognition of Service Excellence) Award Ceremony on Monday, May 2 at L’Auberge Resort Casino Hotel. The organization honored partners in tourism for…

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Visit Lake Charles will celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week, May 1-7, both commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the…

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Sulphur Welcomes 2022 LHSAA State Softball Tournament at North Frasch Softball Complex This Weekend The Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) State Softball Tournament will be held at…

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MMGY Global and Connect Travel, producers of eTourism Summit, selected Kathryn Shea Duncan, Director of Social Media for Visit Lake Charles, as one of the Emerging Tourism Stars for 2022. Nine…

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The US Sports Congress, an organization that attracts top level decisionmakers from the world of amateur sports and sports events, recently announced that it will be hosting its annual conference in…

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Visit Lake Charles recently expanded its sales team to include Sam Dangerfield III as director of sports relations. Dangerfield has nearly two decades of hospitality experience, including hotel…

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Visit Lake Charles is seeking nominations for the inaugural R.O.S.E. (Recognition of Service Excellence) Award ceremony to honor outstanding employees in the hospitality industry who have shown…

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Destinations International, the world's largest resource for official destination organizations and convention and visitors bureaus, announced Timothy Bush, chief marketing officer of Visit Lake…

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LHSAA Boys’ Marsh Madness Basketball State Championship Tournament LAKE CHARLES, La. (March 4, 2022) —The Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) Boys’ Marsh Madness Basketball State…

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (February 16, 2022)—Visit Lake Charles recently expanded its marketing team to include Shalisa Roland, director of public relations, who is a seasoned communications professional…

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Alexandria, La. (Feb. 9, 2022) – The Louisiana Travel Association (LTA) celebrated the graduation of Visit Lake Charles’ Tara Johnson, meeting sales manager, and Kristen Shiver, visitor experience…

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Alexandria, La. (Feb. 9, 2022) – Kyle Edmiston, President/CEO of Visit Lake Charles was recently installed as Chair of the Louisiana Travel Association (LTA) Board of Directors at the association’s…

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (February 8, 2022)—Visit Lake Charles and the Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana have teamed up to highlight the area’s artists with the Southwest Louisiana Heartbeat…

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (February 7, 2022)—The US Quidditch (USQ) Southwest Regional Tournaments for Club and Collegiate Divisions will be held Saturday – Sunday, Feb. 19 - 20, at LaGrange Soccer Park, 200…

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Alexandria, La. (February 3, 2022)—Kyle Edmiston, President/CEO of Visit Lake Charles was recently honored with the Marion “Butch” Fox Advocacy Award by the Louisiana Travel Association (LTA) at the…

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Alexandria, La. (February 3, 2022)—The Rebuilding SWLA Community Coalition was recently named as the Community Partner of the Year Award winner by the Louisiana Travel Association at the annual…

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Alexandria, La. (February 3, 2022)—Visit Lake Charles was recently honored with the Tourism/Campaign Promotion of the Year by the Louisiana Travel Association at the association’s annual meeting on…

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (January 31, 2022)—Today, Visit Lake Charles announced the staff additions of Timothy Bush as Chief Marketing Officer and Anna Strider as Director of Digital Strategies/Online…

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (January 25, 2022)— James “JC” Cormier, representing the West Calcasieu Community Center Authority, and Nicole Moncrief, selected by the City of Lake Charles, were recently…

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LAFAYETTE, La . (January 21, 2022)—The 2021 Louisiana USSSA Hall of Fame Class and Hall of Honor Members were officially inducted into a prestigious class of USSSA athletes, officials and supporters…

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (January 18, 2022)—National Plan for Vacation Day (NPVD) is Tuesday, Jan. 25, and Visit Lake Charles and the U.S. Travel Association are encouraging everyone to plan time off for the…

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SULPHUR, La. (January 11, 2022)—With the majority of Americans looking to explore and plan vacations for the New Year, the City of Sulphur is proactive with its vision to create a brochure, which…

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NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release Contact: Angie Manning, CDME Communications Director Visit Lake Charles 337-436-9588 2022 Mardi Gras Season Opens with a Series of Festivities - Jan. 5-8 LAKE…

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Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is open with all fall/winter activities available as usual. In addition to providing public waterfowl hunting during the Louisiana coastal zone duck season, it…

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Shonda Manuel, partner and assistant creative director at Healthy Image Marketing/Thrive Magazine was recently appointed by the City of Lake Charles to serve on the board of directors at Visit Lake…

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Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, has selected Kyle Edmiston, President and CEO of Visit Lake Charles, as Chair of their Board of Directors for 2021 during its…

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (November 17, 2020) – Visit Lake Charles launched its Community of Resilience video to amplify the spirit of the people and rebuilding of Southwest Louisiana. The purpose of the…

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (November 2, 2020) – The PGA TOUR’s Korn Ferry Tour, Golden Nugget Lake Charles, Visit Lake Charles and Bruno Event Team announced today the inaugural Lake Charles Championship…

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News Release For Immediate Release Angie S. Manning, CDME Communications Director Visit Lake Charles #LouisianasPlayground Louisiana’s Elite Baseball Players Showcased in Lake Charles Previously…

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Angie S. Manning Communications Director, CDME Visit Lake Charles 800-456-7952 www.VisitLakeCharles.org Kyle Edmiston Appointed to Board of Directors of…

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 13, 2020 McNeese State University and Visit Lake Charles, the Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, have signed an agreement that will bring large national…

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (June 8, 2020) – Beginning March 16, many local businesses were either closed completely or reduced to providing carry out meals from their restaurants. As Louisiana entered phase…

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NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For additional information, contact: Angie S. Manning, communications director Visit Lake Charles amanning@visitlakecharles.org Visit Lake Charles Celebrates…

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (April 28, 2020) – Kyle Edmiston, Visit Lake Charles (VLC) President/CEO, and Nick Zaver, CEO of Hotels of Lake Charles and VLC board member, have been appointed to the Resilient…

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Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) announces the launch of Love the Boot at Home and Love the Boot Week, April 20-26, a statewide media and social media campaign focused on eco-friendly activities that…

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Visit Lake Charles is thrilled to announce that Taylor Beard Stanley has been named one of Destinations International’s 2020 30 Under 30 recipients. The 30 individuals, 30 years of age and under, will…

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NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For additional information, contact: Angie S. Manning, Communications Director Visit Lake Charles (337) 436-9588 or (800) 456-7952 Allstate Sugar Bowl LHSAA Marsh…

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NEWS RELEASE For immediate release For more information, contact: Kathryn Shea Duncan, Media/Public Relations Manager Visit Lake Charles (337) 436-9588 Visit Lake Charles awarded 2019 Major Event of…

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(Pictured) Betty Ellender was honored as the winner of the 12 th annual Mardi Gras Shoebox Float Contest, located at the Visit Lake Charles’ Welcome Center, 1205 N. Lakeshore Drive. Her creation…

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NEWS RELEASE For immediate release For more information, contact: Kathryn Shea Duncan, Media/Public Relations Manager Visit Lake Charles (337) 436-9588 Taylor Beard Stanley of Visit Lake Charles…

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NEWS RELEASE For immediate release For more information, contact: Kathryn Shea Duncan, Media/Public Relations Manager Visit Lake Charles (337) 436-9588 Chef Dave Evans awarded 2019 Restaurateur of…

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NEWS RELEASE For immediate release For more information, contact: Kathryn Shea Duncan, Media/Public Relations Manager Visit Lake Charles (337) 436-9588 Visit Lake Charles awarded 2019 Outstanding…

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Pictured (L to R): Oliver G. “Rick” Richard, III, Chairman of the Visit Lake Charles Board of Directors; Nancy McCluskey, Sponsorship Chairman of the Southwest District Livestock Show & Rodeo. NEWS…

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W. Brent Lumpkin Appointed to Visit Lake Charles’ Board of Directors LAKE CHARLES, La. (January 22, 2020)— W. Brent Lumpkin was recently selected by the Lake Charles City Council to serve on the…

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NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For additional information, contact: William Precht, sr. media/public relations manager Visit Lake Charles (337) 436-9588 or (800) 456-7952 Visit Lake Charles…

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (January 3, 2020)—The official 2020 Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana poster is now available for purchase following its unveiling at the Mardi Gras Kickoff & Poster Reveal Party at…

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LAKE CHARLES, La (Jan. 3, 2020) - The Southeast Tourism Society (STS) recently honored Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana as a 2020 Top 20 Event for the month of January. From glittering parades and…

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (January 2, 2020) — Mardi Gras makes its flamboyant entrance on Saturday, Jan. 4. The third annual Motor Gras Twelfth Night Car Show will kick the day off the weekend at 9 a.m.

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (January 2, 2020)—The Cinderella night of Mardi Gras manifests on Lundi Gras, Monday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. with a lavish promenade of more than 60 krewes’ royalty in extravagant…

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (January 2, 2020)—Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana is inviting the community to help them paint the town purple, green and gold! Entries are now being accepted for the Lighted Boat…

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (January 2, 2020)—The public tastes from every pot of chicken and sausage, seafood or wild game gumbo in a hot contest of more than 60 teams on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Lake Charles…

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (January 2, 2020)—Mardi Gras in Southwest Louisiana is a family-friendly festival and even has an entire day devoted to kids! Children’s Day, a free event open to children ages 3 to…

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IOWA, La. (January 2, 2020)— Catch a chicken at the 42 nd annual Mardi Gras Run on Tuesday, February 25, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 503 E Highway 90, in the town of Iowa. Doors open at 8 a.m…

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (January 2, 2020)— “The Zone,” a family-friendly, alcohol-and-tobacco free area targeted for families with children and teens, is back again for Mardi Gras. Now in its 12 th year…

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VINTON, La. (January 2, 2020)—Frills, feathers and Mardi Gras magic will be in full swing during the Town of Vinton's Mardi Gras celebration in downtown Vinton. The Knights of Columbus will host a…

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LAKE CHARLES, La. (December 26, 2019)– The annual Gingerbread House Contest People’s Choice winner was announced Thursday, Dec. 26, at the Visit Lake Charles’ Welcome Center, 1205 N. Lakeshore Drive.

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Pictured (L to R): Evette Gradney, Vice Chairman of the board of directors of Visit Lake Charles, presents the Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event award to Telesha Bertrand, President of the…

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News Release For Immediate Release Contact: Angie S. Manning Communications Director, CDME Visit Lake Charles 2020 Mardi Gras Season Kickoff Event & Poster Reveal Party LAKE CHARLES, La. (December…

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Chef Lyle Broussard of L’Auberge Casino Resort and Chef Dave Evans of Luna Bar & Grill are two of eleven premiere Louisiana chefs heading to Atlanta to feature the state’s world-class cuisine in…

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Pictured (L to R): Richert Self, Deputy Executive Director of the Port of Lake Charles; Clair Marceaux, Port Director of the Cameron Parish Port, Harbor & Terminal District; George Swift…

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Photo Caption: Tourism professional Shelley Johnson of Lake Charles, La., was recently inducted into the Destinations International Hall of Fame at the association’s annual convention. Don Welsh…

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Pictured (L to R): Evette Gradney, Vice Chairman of the board of directors of the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau presents the Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event…

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NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release Contact: Angie Manning, Communications Director, CDME Lake Charles/SWLA CVB 800-456-7952 Pro Watercross National Championships Moved to Lake Charles, LA LAKE…

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Pictured (L to R): Evette Gradney, Vice Chairman of the board of directors of the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau, presents the Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event…

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NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For additional information, contact: Russell Chew (337) 540-7617 Chews’ Multicultural Hair Affair Beauty Expo LAKE CHARLES, La. (July 16, 2019) —For the 19th year…

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Pictured (L to R): Evette Gradney, Vice Chairman of the board of directors of the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau, presents the Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event…

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NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For additional information, contact: Will Precht, Sr. Manager of Media/Public Relations Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau (337) 436-9588 or (800)…

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NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For additional information, contact: Kelli Fontenot, Media/Public Relations Manager Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau…

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Pictured (L to R): Evette Gradney, Vice Chairman of the board of directors of the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau, presents the Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event…

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Pictured (L to R): Kyle Edmiston, President/CEO of the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau, presents the Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event award to Mayor Nic Hunter of…

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Pictured (left to right): Second-place winner Emma Stein, First-place winner Ajanae Ruben, and Third-place winner Jackson Droddy each displaying their artwork. NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release For…

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NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release Contact: Will Precht, media relations manager Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau 337-436-9588 11 th Annual Mardi Gras Shoebox Float Contest…

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Exploring the best of Cajun & Creole Cuisine in South West Louisiana The first Southern Cast Iron Cook-Off competition kicked off in Lake Charles in November last year and I kicked up my heels in…

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Want to celebrate Louisiana Mardi Gras close to home? Lake Charles, just two hours east of Houston on Interstate 10, boasts Louisiana’s second-largest celebration, and its festivities are…

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The carnival season in Lake Charles, Louisiana, starts with the Twelfth Night celebration, where the royal courts of more than 50 krewes are introduced. The season continues through the Fat Tuesday…

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From “Feed your Soul” to “Let the Good Times Roll” Louisiana’s fun slogans are certainly fitting in Lake Charles, a vibrant city in the southwestern corner of the state. Known as Festival City, Lake…

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My grandmother’s cast-iron pans were a thing of dark beauty. Ink black, smooth as glass and obsidian shiny. She cared for them as any home cook would a treasured kitchen tool: Her cast iron was always…