For roughly 75 years, the revelry and one-of-a-kind pageantry that is Mardi Gras in Louisiana has been duplicated on various scales – some opulent, some understated – in our nation’s capital.
From modest beginnings arising from The Great Depression and soon after, the for-the-greater-good spirit that encapsulated the United States during World War II, today’s Washington Mardi Gras is a bright, colorful, multi-day spectacle featuring a Who’s Who list of invitees from government and industry.
“The whole idea, as you might imagine, is we’re trying to bring an authentic Mardi Gras atmosphere to Washington,” said Donna Austin, Associate Vice President of Decision Support at Peoples Health – a presenting sponsor at Washington Mardi Gras. “The activities and events that are held at night are designed to replicate the types of activities that you’d experience in south Louisiana during Mardi Gras. And while it’s a great time, all around, the true benefit for us is that it truly is a ‘networking event on steroids.’ ”
While Jefferson Parish has always been well-represented at Washington Mardi Gras, in 2023 the Chamber partnered with Jefferson Parish to increase the region’s presence and investment at the event in a variety of manners. For starters, more local government officials and Jefferson Parish business executives made the trip to D.C. than ever before.
“It’s an experience, for sure,” said Scott A. Walker, Jefferson Parish Council Chairman. “And as someone who experienced this event for the first time, I quickly understood and grasped the value of Jefferson Parish having an increased presence at Washington Mardi Gras. For those in attendance, it was a great opportunity for us to tell the Jefferson Parish story – inform people about what’s happening from a business and civic perspective in our area, to let them know about our thriving economic climate and business-friendly approach.
“Leaders from various levels have worked in unison to make sure Jefferson Parish is an attractive location on the business front,” Walker continued. “And that’s a story that needed to be told and we’re proud to tell.”
To assist in “spreading the word” about Jefferson Parish, the Chamber strategically organized activities and space to complement the traditional Washington Mardi Gras schedule of receptions, balls and parades.
For instance, for the first time, the Jefferson Parish, in partnership with Jefferson Chamber, hosted its own hospitality suite inside the Washington Hilton Hotel so that invitees could spark up conversations or continue conversations from boisterous, well-attended events in a quieter setting conducive for discussing details and particulars.
The Chamber was once again a prominent sponsor for the Washington Mardi Gras’ “kick-off” soiree, ‘Louisiana Alive!’ – a celebration of the state’s food and entertainment industries. Live music of Louisiana bands and the unique tastes and plates prepared by some of our region’s best culinary minds are showcased at the sold-out event.
Prior to the must-attend Mystick Krewe of Louisianians black-tie dinner and Mardi Gras Court unveiling, the Chamber hosted a Champagne Cocktail Party to kick-start an unforgettable formal evening. Then, following the Washington Mardi Gras Ball, the Chamber staged a next-morning breakfast so attendees could solidify and reinforce the connections made from the previous evening.
“From a networking standpoint, you couldn’t ask for a better opportunity to get as much done in a short amount of time, all under one roof,” said Lee Giorgio, CEO of Select Properties Ltd. Realty. “You could schedule meetings for months and not get the quality face-to-face time that you do in the course of a few days. All the players are right there, engaged, in a festive mood in a memorable environment. You can’t beat it, because those intimate connections and relationships forged there often go a lot further than anything done in a meeting room or board room.
“That’s why it’s important to invest in this event as a parish, because what happens benefits the entire parish,” Giorgio added.
The immediate feedback the Chamber received from 2023 attendees was overwhelmingly positive – reviews that validated the decision to continue investing in this unique event in the future and continuing to find and create additional gatherings/side events that will facilitate business and civic opportunities for Jefferson Parish.
“I don’t know that you could find a bigger and more concentrated presence from the state of Louisiana than you’ll find in Washington over that four-day or five-day stretch,” Councilman Walker said. “There’s obviously pomp and circumstance and the Mardi Gras is a lot of fun, but it’s also a chance for our contingent from Jefferson Parish to get important work done.”
