Visit Lake Charles- Louisiana's Playground

Today, our team had the pleasure of joining the Sulphur Parks & Recreation for the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Kyle Street Park! This vibrant new space on 200 Kyle Street in Sulphur is set to become a gathering spot for the community to enjoy the outdoors, connect, and create lasting memories. Kudos to everyone involved in bringing this vision to life!👏🛝 #LouisianasPlayground #VisitLakeCharles #SulphurLA

What an unforgettable experience hosting our Meeting Planner FAM Tour in Louisiana's Playground from October 17-20! Emily and I had the pleasure of welcoming five talented meeting planners to explore the heart and soul of Lake Charles. From breathtaking site visits to indulging in authentic local cuisine, we curated a tour that truly showcased the best of Southwest Louisiana. These few days weren’t just about highlighting venues—it was about immersing our guests in the culture, history, and hospitality that make our region so special. The warmth and energy they felt is the same that will greet their future attendees. A huge thank you to our wonderful partners who helped bring this FAM Tour to life and make it such a memorable experience. We can’t wait to see the incredible events these planners will create in our little corner of paradise! ☀️🐊🤍 Visit Lake Charles- Louisiana's Playground #VisitLakeCharles #LouisianasPlayground

Thank you Theresa Schmidt and KPLC-TV for featuring the exciting developments at River Bluff Park and our area's ecotourism assets! A special shoutout to Anne Klenke, VP of Destination Development/Community Engagement, for her outstanding interview which highlights the beauty and potential of this park. With the groundbreaking of the Pavilion and Walking Path Project, River Bluff Park is set to become an even more vibrant destination for both locals and visitors alike. Learn more about this $5.3 million development and what it means for our community: https://lnkd.in/gce-gcfw #VisitLakeCharles #LouisianasPlayground

TUNE IN: Episode 55 of Louisiana's Playground Podcast is LIVE!🎙 Guest Will Wade, the Men's Basketball coach at McNeese State University joins hosts Brady Renard and Jillian Corder on Louisiana’s Playground to discuss the red-hot Cowboys as they enter a brand-new season. Coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance, McNeese looks poised to return to the big dance. The trio discuss nicknames, the upcoming schedule, and how McNeese aims to build upon its 30-win season. 🏀 During the Envie Eats segment, Brady and Jillian visit Coolers Ice House! Coolers is a beloved local establishment known for its laid-back atmosphere, refreshing drinks, and delicious food. Indulge in their mouthwatering poboys, pizzas, and other pub fare, all paired perfectly with their extensive selection of over 90 daiquiris. Whether you're dining in or on the go, Cooler's convenient drive-thru makes it easy to enjoy its flavorful offerings. 🎧Listen here https://lnkd.in/g4WAweAv or anywhere you get your podcasts. Keep up with co-hosts Brady on Twitter @RenardSports & Jillian on Facebook @JillianCorderKPLC. #LouisianasPlayground #EnvieEats #Podcast #VisitLakeCharles #ExploreLouisiana #BayouBandits #WillWade #McNeeseMensBasketball #GeauxPokes McNeese Athletic Foundation

We’re excited to share that Kyle Edmiston, CDME, CDTP, President & CEO, and Kaitlyn Gallegos, MBA, TMP, Director of Global Sales, are attending Brand USA Travel Week 2024 in the U.K. and Europe! Brand USA Travel Week is a premier event connecting U.S. tourism professionals with travel industry leaders from around the world. This year, 215 tour operators and 74 media representatives will be participating, creating invaluable opportunities for impactful B2B meetings, networking, and thought leadership sessions. These connections foster collaboration, explore emerging trends, and unlock new opportunities for driving future travel to the U.S. The concurrent Media Forum and CEO Summit bring together destination PR reps, media, and industry executives for exclusive market discussions and strategic insights. #BrandUSATravelWeek #VisitLakeCharles #TravelIndustry

Welcome frogg toggs Elite Fishing Series Solo Tour National Championship to Lake Charles! 🎣 From October 17-19, watch as the nation’s top solo anglers battle it out for the prestigious championship title! Join us at Calcasieu Point Landing (3955 Henry Pugh Blvd) for daily weigh-ins, cheer on your favorite competitors, and witness the action up close. More info: eliteredfishseries.com #VisitLakeCharles #LouisianasPlayground #EliteFishingSeries

🚴 Big news for outdoor enthusiasts! Phillips 66 has donated $50,000 to the Lake Area Mountain Bike Organization (LAMBO) to kickstart the construction of new trails at Sam Houston Jones State Park!🌲 This partnership will bring 20 miles of fresh, sustainable trails and future plans for a community bike park—boosting recovery efforts and making the park a premier destination for adventure lovers. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g3PqTP9Y #VisitLakeCharles #LouisianasPlayground

The Visit Lake Charles team came together to assemble foster care bags for the Family & Youth Counseling Agency. These bags, filled with essentials and comfort items, are designed to bring a little light and care to children in foster care within our community. We are incredibly grateful to the generous donors who helped make this initiative possible: - Joey Odom - Hampton Inn Sulphur - Best Western Plus Executive Hotel & Suites - Sulphur - Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Sulphur - Hampton Inn Lake Charles - Churchman & Roberts Dentistry - Robinson Dental Group #VisitLakeCharles #LouisianasPlayground

Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Louisiana’s Playground 4-Person Scramble, held at Mallard Golf Club! On behalf of the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority and CBS Lake Charles, we would like to thank everyone who participated and helped make this event a success! 🏆1st Place Team: Goose Busters Hunter Jones Clayton Doyle Cade Doga Timmy Townley ⛳Closest to the Pin Winners: Hole #3: Clark Cormier Hole #6: Kenny Guillory Hole #11: Hunter Racca Hole #15: Dylan Phipps ⛳Longest Drive: Dustin Corbello 💰Split the Pot Winner: Eric Fry #VisitLakeCharles #LouisianasPlayground #MallardGolfClub

Visit Lake Charles continues to make significant strides in expanding its international reach, with a successful sales mission to India led by the Louisiana Office of Tourism. This first-ever mission to India, held in Mumbai and New Delhi, aimed to increase awareness of Louisiana's diverse tourism offerings and promote the state to one of the fastest-growing overseas markets. Kaitlyn Gallegos, MBA, TMP, Director of Global Sales at Visit Lake Charles, proudly represented our destination at both press and trade events in India. During this mission, Kaitlyn engaged with over 170 attendees at various press and trade events. She had the opportunity to connect with travel professionals, media representatives, and industry stakeholders, all eager to learn about the diverse and authentic experiences that Lake Charles has to offer. This outreach is timely, as India has set a record with 1.5 million arrivals to the USA between January and August 2024, marking a 30% increase compared to the previous year. Indian travelers are increasingly seeking experiences beyond major cities like New York and Los Angeles, and Lake Charles is perfectly positioned to fill that gap. With our location along Interstate 10, between Houston and New Orleans, we offer unique cultural experiences—including our renowned cuisine, lively music scene, and warm hospitality—that resonate with visitors looking for something different. The sales mission has garnered notable media attention, with 17 articles published in leading travel publications, including Travel and Tour World, Skift, and ET Travel World, reaching an audience of over 2 million and generating a social echo of 643. The response we received during our mission was overwhelmingly positive, and we are optimistic about the potential for growth in Lake Charles as we continue to engage with this lucrative market.  As we move forward, we look forward to welcoming new visitors from India and showcasing the incredible experiences Lake Charles has to offer. #VisitLakeCharles #LouisianaTourism