NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau (NOCVB) is hosting NOLA Talk, a panel discussion highlighting women in the New Orleans hospitality and tourism industry. The talk will be Tuesday, April 10 with a reception and cooking demonstration from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. and a panel discussion from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
The event will take place at Gallier Hall, 545 St. Charles Avenue.
“The New Orleans CVB is looking forward to welcoming this group of women to the stage to share their stories of success in the tourism and hospitality industry. Like the city of New Orleans, the hospitality and tourism industry is comprised of a diverse workforce, and by highlighting these inspirational women, we hope to encourage other New Orleanians to work alongside these women and pursue meaningful careers in our industry,” said Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau Cheryl Teamer.
The panel, guided by Camille Whitworth, includes three influential women in our local industry, including:
Kristi Taglauer, Area Vice President and General Manager of Aloft New Orleans
As a thirty-five-year hospitality veteran, Kristi has worked at a series of luxury, boutique and select-service properties throughout the city of New Orleans in positions including Catering Sales, Director of Food & Beverage, Director of Rooms, Director of Operations and General Manager. In her latest role, Kristi is responsible for providing leadership and operational support to three local hotels while continuing to manage one of the top performing Aloft hotels in the country.
Melissa “DJ Soul Sister” Weber, Radio Personality on WWOZ and Entrepreneur
DJ Soul Sister is the award-winning “queen of rare groove,” known worldwide as a vinyl crate digger, promoter and tastemaker. As a veteran radio programmer on WWOZ for nearly two decades, she is the host and founder of the popular “Soul Power,” the longest-running rare groove radio show in the U.S. She works as an event planner and an entertainer who has performed with artists and producers such as George Clinton, Questlove, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mannie Fresh.
Samantha Carroll, Owner of Sac-a-lait and Food Network Star on “Cajun Aces”
Sam, alongside her husband Cody, operates two restaurants, Hot Tails in New Roads and Sac-a-Lait in the Warehouse District. At Sac-a-Lait, Chefs Cody and Samantha focus on sourcing locally and utilize familiar ingredients to create bold dishes inspired by the fishing, farming, and hunting culture they grew up in. Recently, the chefs have been featured on the Food Network on their own show “Cajun Aces” which has recently been signed for a second season.
The reception and cooking demonstration before the panel discussion will be presented by Fleur De Lis Catering’s Executive Chef Molly McLaren.
Attendees are encouraged to register online as seating to this free event is limited.
– by Alexa Harrison, associate news editor
