Visit Lake Charles- Louisiana's Playground

Time is running out! Nominations for the 2025 ROSE Awards are due in ONE WEEK, March 14th! ?? Each year, Visit Lake Charles honors the outstanding individuals in Southwest Louisiana’s hospitality industry who go above and beyond to create memorable experiences for visitors and locals. The 4th annual ROSE Awards will take place Thursday, May 1 at L'Auberge Lake Charles. Know someone who deserves recognition? Nominate them today: visitlakecharles.org/rose ??Recognition of Service (ROSE) Award Categories?? - Banquet/Catering Professional - Bartender - Casino Floor Professional - Culinary Professional/Chef - Front Desk/Guest Service Professional - Hotel Sales Professional - Housekeeping Professional - Transportation Professional #VisitLakeCharles #NTTW #LouisianasPlayground

We love seeing our team give back! Today, Kaitlyn Gallegos, MBA, TMP Gallegos, Director of Global Sales at Visit Lake Charles, and Hiren Zaveri, Visit Lake Charles Board Member, joined the Rotary Club of Lake Charles in celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday by volunteering at Central Library.??? A big thank you to Kaitlyn, Hiren, and the Rotary Club for their commitment to education and service in Southwest Louisiana! #VisitLakeCharles #RotaryClub #CommunityEngagement

Visit Lake Charles is pleased to announce the promotion of Brandi Smith from Adventure Guide at Adventure Point to Sales Manager – Meetings & Motorcoach. In her new role, Smith will oversee domestic tour sales and work with Corporate, Social, Military, Education, Religious, and Fraternal (SMERF) groups, furthering Visit Lake Charles’ mission to drive group travel to the region. With an extensive background in the travel industry, including 25 years of experience as a travel agent specializing in generating tourism to various global destinations, Smith brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for showcasing Southwest Louisiana. Her group travel and destination sales expertise will enhance Visit Lake Charles’ efforts to position the region as a premier destination for meetings and motorcoach tours. “Brandi’s dedication and industry expertise make her a valuable asset to our sales team,” said Taylor Beard Stanley, the vice president of sales at Visit Lake Charles. “She has a deep understanding of what makes Southwest Louisiana an attractive destination, and her ability to connect with groups and tour operators will help us continue to grow our market share in meetings and motorcoach tourism.” "I am truly honored and excited to join the sales team,” Smith said. “This role allows me to share my passion for travel while proudly showcasing my hometown as a premier destination for visitors to explore and enjoy.” #VisitLakeCharles #LouisianasPlayground

February has been a standout month for Visit Lake Charles and our partners, with major industry awards, leadership achievements, and national recognition shining a spotlight on Southwest Louisiana!? ?? Read more about this month’s Tourism Works update: https://lnkd.in/gmYaFufu #VisitLakeCharles #TourismWorks #SouthwestLouisiana #TravelMarketing #DestinationLeadership

Our Sales team is focused on driving new business to Louisiana’s Playground in 2025. From tech-driven lead generation to expanded networking and trade show participation, they’re working to bring more events, visitors, and economic impact to the region. Watch the video below ?? ?? Read the full business plan here: https://bit.ly/408DBVi ?? Watch all video updates: https://bit.ly/4jkLzUe #VisitLakeCharles #LouisianasPlayground #BusinessPlan #DestinationSales Kyle Edmiston, CDME, CDTP Taylor Beard Stanley, TMP, CHIA Candy Rodriguez

On Wednesday, I got to share with students from Southeastern Louisiana University College of Business about how they can make an intentional choice to choose a career in hospitality. I was honored to be asked by Louisiana Travel Association president/CEO, Chris Landry to be on a panel along side Carla (Gaines) Tate, CDME , Kristin Jewell and Kerrie Kikendall to share our stories about how we all came to work in this amazing industry. So glad I had the chance to connect with Savannah Krista, Benjamin Herumin, Callie Stansbury and Noemi Lino. Sharing my love of tourism and the hospitality industry was truly a highlight of my week.

Our Marketing team is bringing fresh creativity and dynamic storytelling to showcase Louisiana's Playground in 2025. From expanding "As Much Joy As You Can Pack In" to launching a new campaign, see what’s ahead. ?? ?? Read the full business plan here: https://bit.ly/408DBVi ?? Watch all video updates: https://bit.ly/4jkLzUe #VisitLakeCharles #LouisianasPlayground #BusinessPlan #DestinationMarketing Kyle Edmiston, CDME, CDTP Timothy P. Bush, CDME, TMP, CDTP Candy Rodriguez

Tune in to the latest episode of DMOU as our very own President & CEO, Kyle Edmiston, CDME, CDTP, joins host Bill Geist to discuss one of his proudest accomplishments—fostering an organizational culture that has built a resilient, dedicated team. Kyle shares how innovative workplace strategies like remote work and flex time have strengthened Visit Lake Charles, helping the team navigate challenges from hurricanes to the pandemic. With a career full of accolades, his leadership continues to set the standard in the destination marketing industry. ?? Listen now: https://lnkd.in/gtrV9M5k #VisitLakeCharles #DMOU #TourismLeadership #DestinationMarketing DMOproz

Congratulations to Shanna Landry, our Chief Operating Officer, on an incredible 35 years with Visit Lake Charles! ?? For more than three decades, Shanna has been a driving force behind the growth and success of tourism in Southwest Louisiana. A mentor, a problem-solver, and the heart of countless initiatives, her dedication has shaped not only our organization but also the entire community we serve. If you’ve ever had the chance to work alongside Shanna, you know she gives 110% to everything she does… with a little humor and a whole lot of heart! Her leadership has left an indelible mark, and we are profoundly grateful for all she has contributed to making Visit Lake Charles what it is today. Thank you, Shanna, for 35 years of excellence, inspiration, and impact! #VisitLakeCharles #LouisianasPlayground

In every career, there are leaders you encounter who don't just shape your work, they transform the way you think, act, and engage with the world. For me, that person is Kyle Edmiston, CDME, CDTP. His leadership has influenced not only my professional journey but also the way I approach challenges, growth, and relationships. What distinguishes Kyle is his ability to not only teach these values, but to embody them every single day. Here are just a few of the invaluable lessons that have transformed both my career and my perspective on life... ???? I can never say it enough... THANK YOU, KE! #VisitLakeCharles #Leadership