Annual Meeting
The Jefferson Chamber hosted its 2023 Annual Meeting, presented by Ochsner Health, on Thursday, February 16, at the Alario Center in Westwego. One of the Chamber’s largest networking and social events attended by elected officials and leaders from diverse industries, the Annual Meeting celebrates the exciting initiatives, events, and advocacy throughout the Jefferson Parish community during the past year. The impressive crowd featuring approximately 600 guests heard from Jefferson Chamber President Ruth Lawson, U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Ochsner Health CEO Pete November, as well as 2022 Board Chair Donna Austin of Peoples Health and 2023 Chair Al Galindo of Entergy Louisiana. A panel discussion about the ongoing insurance crisis across south Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region included Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance, Jim Donelon, and CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Louisiana, Jeff Albright, while Ryan Daul of USI Insurance Services moderated.
During the awards ceremony of the event, the Emerging Leader Award, presented by Richard CPAs, was received by Dominique Becnel for her leadership and commitment to the Chamber and as a committee member with the Jefferson Chamber Young Professionals. Tim Coulon was honored with the Joseph Rault Community Leader Award for his continued enthusiasm, dedication, and service to the Jefferson Parish community. Al Galindo of Entergy Louisiana received the Chairman’s Award in appreciation for his positive contributions and dedicated service to the Chamber, while John Roberts of Moxey received Ambassador of the Year honors for the second consecutive year.
Black & Gold Gala
Perhaps the Chamber’s most highly anticipated event of the year, the Black & Gold Gala, presented by Ochsner Health, returned to the home of the New Orleans Saints on Friday, March 31, at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie. The extravagant evening offered guests an open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, catered food options, live entertainment by After Party Band, casino games, and photo ops with the Lombardi trophy. A curated selection of local gifts, certificates, as well as domestic and international travel opportunities, received bids in a silent auction conducted during the event.
Crawfish Boil
On Friday, May 19, the Jefferson Chamber hosted its 25th annual Crawfish Boil, presented by The Zito Group. Nearly 700 guests including large and small business owners and representatives, and elected officials gathered for 2,000 pounds of top-notch crawfish, Cajun cuisine, beverages, music, outdoor entertainment, and outstanding networking opportunities.
Golf Classic
On Thursday, October 12, the Chamber’s 24th Annual Golf Classic, presented by the Port of South Louisiana, teed off at TPC Louisiana, home to the state’s only PGA TOUR event, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Limited to 144 players, members enjoyed a day on the links with business friends, clients, Jefferson Chamber leadership and key decision makers in the community. The outing was held in a shotgun-style tournament using all 18 holes for play, while participants enjoyed a light breakfast, coffee, brunch cocktails, and engaging business vendors stationed around the course.
Tour de Jefferson
The Jefferson Chamber’s 17th Annual Tour de Jefferson, presented by Laitram, offered cyclists of all experience levels a fun, safe, and family-friendly bike ride along the West Bank of Jefferson Parish on Sunday, November 12. Enjoyed by over 400 participants, the ride offered 11-, 19.7-, 31- and 50-mile routes beginning and ending at Estelle Playground. In partnership with the LiveWell Jefferson campaign, the ride celebrated the quality of life and health initiatives of the parish, and raised awareness for the Bicycle Master Plan in Jefferson Parish.
