NEW ORLEANS – Jefferson Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. President and CEO Violet Peters said the JCVB hit the ground running at the onset of the new year.
“Our sales team represented the destination at numerous tradeshows including RCMA-Emerge, ABA Marketplace, NTA Travel Exchange and the LSAE Winter Conference,” she said. “Rendezvous South and Travel South Domestic Showcase are on the agenda to round-out the quarter. The opportunity to grow existing relationships and make new contacts presenting our destination to these markets is vital to our marketing strategy. The JCVB's commitment to continued development and expansion of our contact base will increase lead generation, in turn providing the opportunity for increased occupancy and visitors to the parish.”
Peters said the 2016 Carnival season was a success with more than a dozen parades rolling in Jefferson Parish including the inaugural ride of the Krewe of Pandora. She also said Family Gras 2016 saw a record attendance of an estimated 110,000.
“As we move into the 2nd quarter, the JCVB expects our destination to gain from the booking engine that will go live on our www.visitjeffersonparish.com website in the coming weeks,” Peters said.
Additional news includes:
• The JCVB welcomes new members:
The Rose Garden
Crystal Plantation
The Frying Station
Todd's Frozen Yogurt
• The JCVB announced the partnership with aRes Travel booking engine. Silver & Gold Level Hotel members and Gold & Corporate Partnership Level members are eligible to participate in this booking engine program. This feature provides visitors to the JCVB website a one-stop-shop for booking lodging properties, activities and packages.
• Beginning Tuesday, March 1, 2016, JCVB Gold and Corporate Partnership Level members can place a banner ad on the visitjeffersonparish.com website. Member ads will be placed on the internal pages throughout the site, alternating randomly. Each banner ad will be linked to their JCVB member web listing.
• The JCVB will conduct a Hotel Partner meeting Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. focusing on aRes Travel booking engine, banner ads, and Destination Host Seminars. Location to be announced.
The first of quarterly Destination Host seminars will be held in March. These seminars are structured to educate JCVB partners on the bureau's role in local tourism, customer service, the destination's attractions and services, and how to be an ambassador for the destination. Seminars are open to all positions from executive, management and sales to front line personnel. Location to be announced.
• The JCVB congratulates Carolyn Barrett for earning the Supplier of the Year Award from LSAE.
• Family Gras was held on January 29, 30 and 31, 2016, and showcased a variety of national and local entertainers each day including The Monkees, Andy Grammer, Rodney Atkins, The Band Perry and local legend, Dr. John. Attendance was estimated to be 110,000. Festival attendees enjoyed music, food, arts and crafts, kid's activities and the pageantry of carnival parades.
• Rhythm on the Route returned to Metairie for its 3rd year with an increase in participation. This contest allowed middle school and high school-age bands to not only compete for bragging rights but also cash prizes. A cash prize of $3,000 for 1st place, $2,000 for 2nd place, and $1,000 for 3rd place was awarded to the top three bands of each parade during Metairie's Carnival season.
Rhythm on the Route winners are:
Krewe of Excalibur / Friday, January 29, 2016
1st Place N.O. Military Maritime Academy Band
2nd Place Bonnabel High School Band
3rd Place Patrick Taylor Academy Band
Krewe of Athena / Friday, January 29, 2016
1st Place Landry-Walker High School Band
2nd Place McDonogh #35 High School Band
3rd Place Alice Harte Band
Krewe of Caesar / Saturday, January 30, 2016
1st Place Fountainbleau High School Band
2nd Place Brother Martin High School Band
3rd Place Rummel-Chapelle High School Band
Krewe of Napoleon / Sunday, January 31, 2016
1st Place Fountainbleau High School Band
2nd Place Chalmette High School Band
3rd Place Baker High School Band
Krewe of Centurions / Friday, February 5, 2016
1st Place Belle Chasse High School Band
2nd Place Central Lafourche High School Band
3rd Place Baker High School Band
Krewe of Isis / Saturday, February 6, 2016
1st Place Grace King High School Band
2nd Place Ponchatoula High School Band
3rd Place Belle Chasse Academy Band
Krewe of Pandora / Monday, February 8, 2016
1st Place Belle Chasse Academy Band
2nd Place Livaudais Middle School Band
3rd Place Lafayette Academy Band
Krewe of Argus / Tuesday, February 9, 2016
1st Place Rummel-Chapelle High School Band
2nd Place Grace King High School Band
3rd Place Kentwood High School Magnet Band
• The Courtyard New Orleans Westbank/Gretna is now open.
The Courtyard New Orleans Westbank/ Gretna, at 5 Westbank Expressway, in Gretna, LA, is located across the street from Oakwood Mall Shopping Center and many restaurants.
The hotel’s amenities include:
• 123 guestrooms
• All non-smoking including guestrooms and public areas
• Complimentary parking
• All guestrooms include microwave, coffeemaker, refrigerator, hair dryer and ironing board
• Complimentary Wi-Fi internet access in all guestrooms and public areas
• The Bistro restaurant opens for breakfast and dinner.
• Indoor pool
• Fitness Center
• Business Center
• 24/7 Market
• The Hilton New Orleans Airport welcomes new staff member Kerry Simon who has joined their sales team. As their new Business Travel Manager, Simon will be responsible for the Consortia, Corporate and Local Negotiated Accounts.
• Laser Tag of Metairie just celebrated their 5-year anniversary at their 8855 Veterans Memorial Blvd. location, however they have been in operation in the New Orleans area for 21 years. They are excited about the recent re-launch of their fundraiser program. Schools and organizations will have an opportunity to have a fun night out while raising money. Fundraising groups will receive a play pass which will include Unlimited Laser Tag, Bumper Cars and Arcade (non-ticket and non prize) all for one low price. 30% of all group sales will be donated to the organization or 50% of all play pass sales, whichever is greater.
Laser Tag of Metairie will be open early during the Easter break holidays from Monday, March 21 – Friday, April 1. Play pass including unlimited Laser Tag will be available from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. available Monday-Friday during Easter break.
• The Bubba Gump Shrimp Company introduced their healthier new Kids menu with healthy new entrees, sides and drink options. The new menu features items that are part of the national Kids LiveWell program and have been verified by the National Restaurant Association and Healthy Dining to meet specific nutritional criteria established by leading health organizations' scientific guidelines.
• Gattuso's, 435 Huey P. Long Ave., in Gretna, LA, will celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Saturday, March 12, 2016 with food and drink specials and da Rockits performing live at 5:00 p.m.
Gattuso's weekly specials include:
Monday: 2 for 1 Spaghetti & Meatballs 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday: Live Trivia at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday: Ladies Night 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Thursday: $5 Burgers/ Cheeseburgers
Friday & Saturday: Live Music
• Where Magazine is celebrating their 80th Anniversary this year and their Where brand is now visible on 5 continents. Their new Plantation & Itinerary Guide will be available in April.
• The Best Western Bayou Inn is going green by proudly offering 2 Telsa car charging stations as a new feature to their property. They are the only hotel in the New Orleans area that offers this amenity.
• The Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, in Metairie, hosted a Mardi Gras bead recycling program that allowed locals and guests of the hotel to donate their unwanted Mardi Gras beads. The hotel collected unwanted beads and made a donation to the ARC of Greater New Orleans. By providing unwanted beads, locals and visitors were able to work to together to help the local community.
• Louisiana Tax Free shopping reports $22 million in international visitor spending in tax free shopping in Jefferson Parish for 2015.
The top 5 countries:
Philippines
China
Brazil
Honduras
India
• The Gretna Community Center For The Arts Presents “The Women” through
Sunday, March 6, 2016.
The Old Post Office in historical downtown Gretna has been converted to the Gretna Community Center For The Arts dinner theater for locals and visitors to enjoy. The buffet dinner is provided by JCVB member, The Red Maple.
• The Jefferson Performing Arts Society presents “The Amorous Ambassador” through Sunday, March 6, 2016, at Teatro Wego!, 177 Sala Ave., in Westwego, LA.
When "Hormone" Harry Douglas, the new American Ambassador to Great Britain, tells his family he is going to Scotland to play golf, his wife and daughter announce weekend plans of their own. Their newly hired butler, Perkins, watches stoically as each leaves the Embassy and secretly returns for a romantic rendezvous in the empty house. Harry's secretary and Marine Corps Embassy Security then arrive in the wake of a bomb threat and the embassy is sealed off, with hilarious results. Even the imperturbable Perkins is drawn into the shenanigans.
Performance Dates and Times:
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
• The Jefferson Performing Arts Society presents “Mary Poppins” from Friday, March 11 – Sunday, March 20, 2016, at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 6400 Airline Dr., in Metairie, LA, with music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, book by Julian Fellowes, new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drew, co-created by Cameron Mackintosh and featuring "Flying Effects" by ZFX.
One of the most popular Disney movies of all time is capturing hearts in a whole new way, as a practically perfect musical. Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins delighted Broadway audiences for more than 2,500 performances and received nominations for nine Olivier and seven TONY Awards, including Best Musical.
The jack-of-all trades, Bert, introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family how to value each other again. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren't the only ones she has a profound effect upon. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that "Anything can happen if you let it."
Performance Dates and Times:
Fridays and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
• The Rivertown Theater For The Performing Arts presents “Ditzyland” from Friday, February 26 – Sunday, February 28, 2016.
Ditzyland was written by Ricky Graham, Jeff Roberson, and Sean Patterson, directed by Ricky Graham with music direction by Jefferson Turner.
Ricky Graham joins co-comic conspirators Varla Jean Merman and Sean Patterson (THE PRODUCERS) as they skewer Uncle Walt's most treasured animated features. Joining in this very adult send-up of fairy tale madness is Jefferson Turner tinkering on the keys. The Times Picayune’s Ted Mahne said "With sharp wit, DITZYLAND gleefully skewers the House that Mouse built. It's the campiest place on earth where its cast slips the entire audience a Mickey guaranteeing laughter that might well last throughout the New Year." Organizers said this is definitely an ADULT show.
Performance Dates and Times:
Friday, February 26 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 27 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 28 at 2:00 p.m.
• The Rivertown Theater For The Performing Arts, 325 Minor St., in Kenner, LA, presents “The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee,” directed by Christopher Bentivenga, from Friday, March 4 – Sunday, March 20, 2016.
Back by popular demand, the 2009 production was nominated for a Big Easy Award for Best Musical. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny, yet touching book and truly fresh score, this musical bee is an unforgettable experience. With side-splitting audience participation, no two performances are the same. An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents (all played by adults), vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home life, they sing, dance and spell their way through a series of [potentially made-up] words, while learning that winning (and losing) isn't everything.
Includes adult language, recommended for ages 15 and up.
Performance Dates and Times:
Thursday, March 17 at 8:00 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.
Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
• The Victory Belles Of The WWII Museum presents “Songs That Won The War,” through Wednesday, August 24, 2016.
The Victory Belles bring to life the songs that inspired the Allies to victory during World War II. This new Belle show features musical gems of the ear such as White Cliffs of Dover, Harbor Lights, The Last Time I Saw Paris, La Vie En Rose and I'll Be Seeing You, all sung in rich, three-part harmony.
• The WWII Museum presents “My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra,” from Friday, March 11 – Sunday, May 1, 2016.
BB's Stage Door Canteen celebrates an American icon – “My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra” features more than 30 of Sinatra's most famous songs performed by a quartet of singers and accompanied by the Museum's Victory Trio. Enjoy dining from The American Sector Restaurant + Bar as they bring to life Sinatra's repertoire, including “Fly Me To The Moon,” “My Way,” “You Make Me Feel So Young,” and more.
Calendar of Events (www.visitjeffersonparish.com)
• National Park 'Find Your Park' – "Many Parks, Many Stories" centennial celebration campaign kicked off in January with parks across America showcasing the beauty and wonder of our national parks. Jefferson Parish is proud of its Barataria Preserve within the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve located in Marrero, spanning into the regions of Crown Point & Lafitte. Special events will be featured throughout this centennial celebration. The park and preserve has numerous nature trails, birding trails, and a visitor center featuring a kids activity center, Junior Ranger program, and bookstore. Guided tours are offered. The Visitor Center is open and guided tours are offered Wednesday – Sunday 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Parks are closed all federal holidays.
• Discover the magic of spring in the wetlands in bloom, alligators lazing on the bayou bank, and FREE fun for the whole family at Spring In The Swamp from Friday, March 25 – Sunday, March 27, 2016.
Ranger-guided walks, a touch table with furs and skulls, the Junior Ranger Zone just for kids, and more will all be available.
• Explore wild Louisiana on a ranger-guided walk through swamp and marsh during a “Wetlands Walk” through Thursday, March 31, 2016, every Wednesday – Sunday.
• The Westwego Farmers & Fisheries Market presents “Lagniappe At The Market” Friday night concert series.
The Concert will be held on Friday nights at the outdoor facility where people can come bring their favorite chair or blanket, sit and relax, enjoy great music, food, drink, crafts and great company and lots of space for children to run and play. As always there will be free admission and free parking. Concerts are held from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
The Lagniappe At The Market Concert Schedule includes:
March 4: Aaron Foret
April 8: da Rockits
May 20: Faith In Music
June 17: Waylon Thibodeaux
July 1: Brad Sapia
Aug 26: Danny Alexander
Sept 9: Aaron Foret
Oct 14: Night Train
• The St. Patrick's Day Parade on Metairie Road takes place Sunday, March 13, 2016, at 12:00 p.m.
• The Louisiana Irish Italian Parade in Metairie takes place on Sunday, March 20, 2016 at 12:00 p.m.
• Oakwood Shopping Center events include:
The Easter Bunny arrives on Friday, March 11, 2016.
Easter Bunny Photo hours:
Monday – Friday: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Break 3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sat: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., No breaks
Sun: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., No breaks
(Photos are located in the JCPenney Wing)
Pet Pics with the Bunny on Monday, March 14 and March 21 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Book your reservation for your photos with the Easter Bunny
• Lakeside Shopping Center events include:
On Saturday, March 5, 2016, join Lakeside Shopping Center as the Easter Bunny is welcomed with a second-line parade and annual Easter Egg Hunt.
The Easter Bunny arrival will be located in the Veterans Skylight, near Macy's wing, and a second-line jazz band will parade through the mall to Center Court where the Easter Bunny will take his seat for photos. Enjoy a day full of fun with the Easter Bunny arriving at 9:45 a.m., Egg Hunt shortly after and the Education Expo to follow from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The Education Expo will be located in the Veterans Skylight area, near Macy's wing, and is free to the public. The Education Expo will feature live entertainment, prizes and giveaways and activities just for kids, while kids and parents can learn about the best summer camps, after-school programs and schools around the area.
• Clearview Mall events include:
The Easter Bunny will arrive at Clearview Mall on Saturday, p, 2016.
Easter Bunny Photo Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sundays: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
On March 24, 25 and 26 hours will be from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Esplanade Mall events include:
The Easter Bunny will arrive at Esplanade Mall on Friday, March 4, 2016.
Easter Bunny Photos will be held Friday March 4 – Sunday, March 26.
“Breakfast With The Bunny” takes place on Saturday, March 12, at 9:00 a.m.
“Caring Bunny” takes place on Sunday, March 13 from 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
The Esplanade's Caring Bunny™ event will offer families that have children with special needs a subdued environment to participate in the Bunny Photo Experience. Caring Bunny has been developed by Simon and is guided by AbilityPath.org, a national online resource hub and special needs community. Over 90 Simon® properties will host the Caring Bunny this season. Promotional assistance for Caring Bunny has been provided by Autism Speaks.
On Sunday, March 13, from 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., many steps will be taken to reduce sensory triggers, creating a more comforting environment for children's cherished visit with the Bunny.
• The Gretna Farmers Market features local farmers, merchants and bakers with a variety of fresh produce, baked goods, meats, jellies, plants, Bar-B-Que and cheeses. On the second Saturday of every month, the market will have an art walk that will feature beautiful local crafts, wood works and more. Since this is a covered market, the Gretna Farmers Market and Art Walk takes place rain or shine, Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• The Kenner Rivertown Farmers Market is located in historic Rivertown in Heritage Park. Every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., enjoy fresh produce, plants and crafts with free admission and free parking.
• The Westwego Farmers & Fisheries Market offers the freshest local produce, citrus and seafood plus farm fresh eggs, cheese, jellies, pickles, fresh baked bread, cakes, pies and other desserts. There are also garden plants art and unique handcrafted items and jewelry available.
On Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., rain or shine.
