While we know it’s not easy to get away from your desk for a whole day, the bus load of members who were able to attend would agree that we all had such an amazing day full of activities and surprises that many of us just didn’t know about the fabulous City of Kenner!

MSWIT member, Carolyn Barrett, Executive Director of Visit Kenner, did such an awesome job in showcasing a huge part of what Kenner has to offer!   Being a resident of Kenner for the past 20 years, it tickled me so much to keep hearing “I had no idea” throughout the day.   And that’s the core reason MSWIT has offered these road field trips for the past 5 years.

The fabulous itinerary began at the Pontchartrain Convention & Civic Center where Messina’s Catering (their caterer for 3 decades) provided coffee, an assortment of delicious pastries and an amazing fresh fruit display.   We were welcomed by Kevin Baroni, General Manager of this spectacular facility, as well as their Sales Coordinator, MSWIT member Genell LeBoeuf and Messina’s Director of Sales, MSWIT member Maggie Zschiedrich.

We then boarded the Hotard Coach with our tour guide Carolyn giving us updates about Laketown as we cruised past the very impressive Coconut Beach Volleyball Complex then made our way to the beautiful Chateau Country Club where there were more great refreshments.  In addition to hearing from Alyssa Sprunk, Director of Events with so many options at this beautiful facility, we all had the great privilege of hearing a special presentation from Jefferson Parish Councilwoman District 4 Arita Bohanan regarding the new 18,000 seat amphitheater that will be open in Laketown by 2027.

As we continued our 5 mile journey to Rivertown with Carolyn giving more details about her great city, we quickly arrived at the foot of the Williams Blvd. and the Mississippi River at LaSalle’s Landing.   We learned all about some huge upgrades in the works for easy access to view the vessel traffic along the river.  We then walked passed the historic Clancy House steps away from Heritage Park which often works in tangent with wedding parties getting married at the adorable St. Mary’s Church which can seat 50 guests.

We walk a few more steps arriving at the Rivertown Theatre and greeted by the Managing Director, Kelly Fouchi, who gave us an overall amazing summary of what it takes to run a community theatre and then treated to a very VIP backstage tour of the facility while the stage crew was building the set for their next show…even though the current show is still performing.   OMG…so impressive!

We then walked a few more steps and entered the Kenner Planetarium & Science Center…where we were greeted by Heidi Glorioso who has been there since day 1 and we were literally blown away experiencing a life size replica of the NASA Space Station along with their incredible museum of artifacts and exhibits.   

We took a break to enjoy a delicious spread of great food provided by Gendusa’s Italian Eatery (located across the street) where we were welcomed by Kenner’s Mayor Michael Glaser, along with City Councilwomen Dee Dunn and Kristi McKinney.

Then we stepped into the courtyard to be treated by Wrenworks Art Studio owner, Renee Yeaton with our very own opportunity to hand paint a selection of souvenir magnets which was so therapeutic.   While these dried, we went back into the Planetarium’s Mega Dome Cinema and enjoyed a surprise laser show set to Elton John’s most popular hits!

We loaded the bus to head back north to Veterans Hwy. turning right for about 5 blocks to GAME ON Social Hub where we had a brief presentation by the owner Davor Franicevich, General Manager, Ricky Dillard and our very own MSWIT President, Director of Sales, Christy Dillard. We were treated to 30 minutes of doing whatever games we wanted to play…including a 7 minute laser tag session with at least half our attendees.   A few of us did manage to get the AX to stick on the Ax Throwing bullseye board.  This whole place is fun for kids but even more fun for Adults!

Then we boarded the bus one more time to head to the new land based Treasure Chest Casino located in Laketown at Williams Blvd. and Lake Pontchartrain where we were welcomed by General Manager Kim Etland, Director of Sales, Rodney Miller and Sales Manager, Lauren Livermore. There was a reception set up for us in the lobby of the beautiful banquet facility which can seat 400 people for a meal!   Everyone enjoyed their choice of beverages along with passed hot and cold hors d’oeuvres!   

What an incredible day!    Whether any members who decided to stay a while and play won, I think we can all agree that each of us hit the JACKPOT on our very special day Visiting Kenner!

Thanks again, Carolyn Barrett…and of course her “unpaid intern”, Tunney!    It was a GREAT FAM TOUR!

Bobbi Mannino
MSWIT Membership Manager

Kenner Contact List:

Pontchartrain Center:
Pontchartrain Convention & Civic Center
Genell LeBoeuf, Sales Coordinator
4545 Williams Blvd. | Kenner, LA  70065
 PH:  504.465.9985 | DL:  504.468.6659 | FX:  504.468.6692
  www.pontchartraincenter.com

Chateau Country Club:
ALYSSA SPRUNK
Director of Events
Phone: 504.467.1351
Email: events@chateaugcc.com
3600 Chateau Blvd
Kenner LA 70065
www.chateaugcc.com

Rivertown Theater for the Performing Arts:
Kelly Fouchi
kelly@rivertowntheaters.com
www.rivertowntheaters.com
504-461-9475

Kenner Planetarium and Science Center:
Heidi R. Glorioso
Assistant to the Mayor
2020 Fourth Street
Kenner, LA 70062
504-468-7231
www.kenner.la.us

Wrenworks Art Studio:
Renee Yeaton
wrenworksartstudio@gmail.com
2120 Fourth Street
Kenner, LA  70062
504-370-9736

Gendusa’s Italian Eatery
Troy Gendusa
(504) 305-5305

Treasure Chest Casino:
Lauren Livermore
laurenlivermore@boydgaming.com
504-443-8069

Arita Bohanan
Jefferson Parish Councilwoman District 4
O: (504)736-6622 or (504)736-6621
arita@jeffparish.net

Chelle Maxwell
The Clancy House
504-737-6435
Theclancyhouse1922@gmail.com
1922 Reverend Wilson Drive
Kenner, LA  70062

The post From the Lake to the River…MSWIT FAM Bus Tour of Kenner Attendees Hit The Jackpot!!! appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

Get ready for our first joint MSWIT Christmas Party LUNCHEON on Tuesday, December 17th at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center, Lobby I (with free parking directly across the street in Lot F…see more parking details below).

Networking, Cash Bar & the Holiday Market Place begin at 11:30 am and our festive lunch and program starts promptly at Noon. 

Our MSWIT members with the convention center – Rosalie Mortillaro and Kayla Aucoin-LeBouef – along with the culinary staff at the center have a very special Christmas lunch meal planned for all of us to enjoy. (see menu below)

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NOLA CHRISTMAS FEST behind the scenes TOUR!   For those who are able to stick around for another 20 minutes, you will have the opportunity to have a behind the scenes “sneak peak” of NOLA CHRISTMAS FEST which opens to the public from December 20 – 30th!

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Your MSWIT Board has special Christmas surprises for all members attending including a few fabulous door prizes such as two sets of Mignon Faget Mardi Gras glass sets of 4 (donated by June Fallo).   Santa & Mrs. Claus will be on hand for photos and will love to hear what’s on your wish list this year!

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New this year is the MSWIT Holiday Market Place!!   We have room for up to 12 MSWIT member vendors at no charge to exhibit and sell their goods.   We know that some of our MSWIT members have a little side hustle of items they sell.   If you are interested in being one of a maximum of 12 vendors interested in marketing items to our members who still need Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers, you must let Bobbi Mannino know right away as we believe these 12 half tables will go quickly!

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Additionally, attendees are asked to bring non-perishable food items for the Kenner Food Bank and/or an unwrapped toy to be distributed by the New Orleans Mission.

COST:   $45/Members + $50/Guests  (PRE-PAYMENT REQUIRED)

To RSVP, send an email to bobbimannino@gmail.com 

To Pay Online with credit card, click HERE to fill in the total amount of your payment.

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SPECIAL PARKING INSTRUCTIONS

Here is the link for you to to enter your license plate number ahead of time: https://www.offstreet.io/location/51XZRMOD   to receive free parking in Convention Center Lot F (see map). After parking, proceed to Lobby I, then take escalators to 2^nd floor, Rooms 283-285. Campus Security officers will be on site to direct you.

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Our festive LUNCH Buffet will include:

A Special Holiday Custom Mocktail:  Chilled Cranberry, Orange and Lime Juices with Ginger Ale, Garnished with Lime Wheel and Fresh Cranberries!

Mixed Greens Salad with Roasted Pears, Candied Pecans and Feta Cheese with Champagne Vinaigrette and Creamy Charred Lemon Dressing.
Pasta Salad with Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes, Spinach and Crisp Bacon Crumbles – topped with Toasted Garlic Herb Panko
Short Ribs with Veal Madera Demi Glace
Vegetable Strudel with Romesco Sauce
Potatoes Dauphinoise topped with melted cheeses
Roasted Lemon Broccolini
New York Cheesecake with Cranberry Compote and Fresh Whole Cranberries
Rolls & Butter
Iced Tea & Tangerine-Raspberry-Mint Infused Water
Regular Coffee, Decaf Coffee and Hot Tea

The post First RSVP Request: MSWIT Christmas Party Luncheon – Tuesday, December 17 – New Orleans Morial Convention Center appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

The final numbers will soon be announced and our three beneficiaries…CALA, NOFJC and DFS New Orleans…will be notified at which upcoming meeting we will be presenting their checks.  Bottom line…they will all be very happy!

The post MSWIT’s 2024 Biennial Fashion Fundraiser is HUGE success! appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

MSWIT, an organization of women in all areas of the tourism industry, distributes funds from the event to support the Cancer Association of Louisiana, the New Orleans Family Justice Center, and Dress for Success New Orleans.  The charitable affair will also provide a $1000 award for a student enrolled in the University of New Orleans’ Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Graduate Program.

In addition to a runway show of fashions provided by Dress for Success New Orleans, the afternoon’s festivities include a buffet lunch, bottomless mimosa bar with souvenir champagne flute, a spectacular Parade of Prizes, and a Travel Partners Marketplace with vendors from across Louisiana.

Tickets are priced at $65. For more details and to purchase tickets or a table of 10, click on http://www.mswit.com/fashion-fundraiser.html or email mswitevents@gmail.com.

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About MSWIT: The primary objectives of the organization, which is comprised of 170 women in all areas of tourism, are to provide opportunities for women in the travel and tourism industries to network locally, nationally and internationally with contacts that will contribute to their professional and personal growth, and to encourage and assist women to improve their knowledge and experience through educational programs.  

The post Women in Tourism Present Fashionable Fundraiser to Benefit Women appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

MSWIT Members…

We can't wait to give you all the details for our Annual Bus Fam Tour…this year we will be experiencing Houma, Lousiana!

MSWIT member Sondra Corbitt, Executive Director of Explore Houma will be our host to show all of us the great things to see and do in Houma!

Mark your calendars now for this day long event — Tuesday, March 26!

More details regarding our Itinerary and special lunch to come!

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Our MSWIT Bus Fam Tour exploring Louisiana River Parishes was FANTASTIC!    A full bus of members experienced and learned so much in just a short amount of time.   

First of all.. thanks to Willma Harvey, DOS & Business Development for River Parishes Tourist Commission, for all the advance planning and hard work involved in making this experience so memorable for all our members.   Theron "do you get the picture" Oubre, our Tour Guide on the bus, was absolutely amazing!

Special thanks to Leslie Brewer, DOS for both Destrehan Plantation and GREAT RIVER ROAD STEAMBOAT MUSEUM at Houmas House & Gardens for all her hard work and special hospitality in making our members feel so welcome.    Diane "Gumbo Marie" Honore, a direct decendent of Destrehan, gave us an incredible tour.

We thank Leslie Barrett of Cajun Pride Swamp Tours as well as Captain Dustin who gave us quite an experience in the Manchac Swamp!

Chef Spuddy Faucheaux with Spuddy's Cajun Cooking Experience not only fed us a delicious lunch but also charmed us with some great Cajun Cooking humor!!!

Also, we can't forget Shannon Hamm with Hotard Coaches providing a cool and comfortable motorcoach and a really great bus driver, Derek!

Last but not least, we thank Christy Dillard with GAME ON Social Hub for allowing us to use their new parking lot for our bus to pick up and drop off.

Best of all, our members really had the opportunity to get to know other members as they shared all this delightful experience together!

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Mid South Women In Tourism's Biennial Fashion Fundraiser which took place at Copeland Tower Living on September 10th was a HUGE SUCCESS!

Two hundred professional women enjoyed a really fun luncheon including great swag bags, a fabulous fashion show by Dillard's Lakeside, an informative travel marketplace with exhibitors form around Louisiana, an amazing silent auction and optional mimosas in hand painted souvenir glasses!

At our December Christmas party at the Higgins Hotel, MSWIT was honored to present our two primary charitable organizations with proceeds raised from this great event.   The Cancer Association of Louisiana (CALA) and the New Orleans Family Justice Center each received $8500 checks to help women in our area.

Additionally Abby Hoffman, UNO HRT GRAD STUDENT selected by the faculty to be the deserving student to receive our $1000 scholarship award.

Thanks goes out to Copeland Tower Living and all our members on the Fundraiser Committee who put in so much time on this event as well as everyone who donated auction and swag bag items or paid to be marketplace vendors.   We also want to thank our Presenting Sponsor, Fidelity Bank, as well as many other Sponsors, Dillards Lakeside and each and everyone who attended and supported our biennial event.

The post MSWIT’S BIENNIAL FASHION FUNDRAISER WAS A HUGE SUCCESS! appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

The members of Mid South Women In Tourism will once again work together on our special Biennial Fashion Show Fundraiser to generate needed funds for our designated organizations that help women in need…namely…

New Orleans Family Justice Center

Cancer Association of Louisiana

UNO HRT Graduate Scholarship Award

Please click here for all the latest details — http://www.mswit.com/fashion-fundraiser.html

The post MSWIT’s Fashion Show Fundraiser will take place on Saturday, September 10 at Copeland Tower Living appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

MSWIT members…

We are so happy to announce the official "new date" for the Experience St. Bernard/MSWIT FAM Tour!    Mark your calendars…Tuesday, March 29, 2022!

For those of you who were confirmed and pre-paid for the August 17, 2021 tour, you are automatically on the March 29th RSVP list.

We still have room for more…see RSVP details below.

Details of the tour

This year's FAM, named Islenos Seafood Trail:  Fishing Villages, Scenic Bayous and Cultural Wonders, is not to be missed!  MSWIT member Barbara Johnson, Owner of The Great Delta Tours, has prepared a very special MSWIT Tour.   With the great help from MSWIT Member Katie Tommaseo, St. Bernard Parish's Executive Director of Tourism & Film, and her Board as well as leaders with St. Bernard attractions and MSWIT Member Meaghan McCormick, Ex. Director of SBEDF, a full agenda of informative fun and great networking is now available to reserve your place on the bus! 

FAM participants will be allowed to park in the lot adjacent to the Basin St. Station (501 Basin Street) at the hospitality industry rate of only $5 for the entire day!  Thank you Emily Valentino with City Sightseeing New Orleans.

Not one but TWO Hotard Coaches will be waiting for us to board at 8:45 am and depart promptly at 9 am for our tour.   A full day of activities are planned including a stop at The Parish Marina overlooking Bayou Bienvenue, lunch in Ycloskey at Robin's Seafood right on historic Bayou la Loutre, a tour of the Islenos Cultural Village, the River House Crevasse 22 Art Space, and the Docville Farm Mississippi River Observatory before we head back to Basin St. no later than 4:30 pm.   Of course, what's a MSWIT meeting without the chance to win some great prizes, trivia games, etc.   Oh…and there's lots of surprises not mentioned!

A BIG thanks goes out to our three MSWIT members with Hotard Coaches…Julie Chalmers, Shanon Hamm and Chelsea Latas!

We guarantee you will learn new things about St. Bernard Parish that you were not aware of and that are very nearby for visitors to New Orleans!

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COST:   $35 for MSWIT Members/$45 for GUESTS (PRE-PAYMENT REQUIRED)

To RSVP, please send an email to mswitevents@gmail.com in addition to submitting payment.

To Pay Online with credit card, please click HERE and fill in the total amount of your payment.

More details about the tour…

Islenos Seafood Trail:
Fishing Villages, Scenic Bayous, Cultural Wonders
 

On this MSWIT Exclusive, visit places, cultures and history on a unique “coastal seafood adventure” that visitors or locals rarely get to experience. Celebrate the rich 18th century traditions of Spanish Canary Islanders recruited to the area in the late 1700’s, considered to be the last vestige of Spanish colonialism in America. Venture to Ycloskey, Louisiana where the land seems to dissolve into the Gulf of Mexico and the people are as salty and beautiful as the sea.

Experience a unique, immersive, insider’s perspective of the Great Mississippi River Delta and its richly important wetlands, wildlife and cultural wonders. Enjoy a memorable eco excursion that follows the dynamic changes of the river that shaped one of the most culturally diverse and distinctive communities in the world. Enjoy the company of brown pelicans, blue heron and alligators in their natural habitat. Learn about the world’s largest flood management and coastal restoration efforts in the world. Eco excursion highlights include  

• Retrace the steps of the earliest founders in establishing “La Nouvelle Orleans” that emerged from a swampy, backwater outpost to one of the largest cities in America.

• Travel through the Chalmette Battlefield National Park where Major General Andrew Jackson led American troops to a stunning victory against the battle-tested British in the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815.

• Enjoy a stop at Parish Marina overlooking historic Bayou Bienvenue and learn more about the massive flood protection system and critical coastal restoration projects to ensure the safety and future of the region.

• See alligators, brown pelicans and great egrets in their natural habitat.

• Meet a local Islenos oyster man to learn of his way of life, hopes, challenges and colorful heritage. Immerse yourself in a delicious "Gulf to Table" experience on the docks of the historic Bayou la Loutre.

• Enjoy a delightful walk around the historic Islenos Cultural Village to experience the rich Islenos culture and its importance to the region.

• Visit the new River House Crevasse 22 Art Space that celebrates nature and art at the site of an historic levee break.

• Stop at historic Docville Farm to experience the commanding views of the mighty Mississippi River from its 5^th Floor Observation Deck and learn of the transformative community work of the Meraux Foundation

The post New Date for the Experience St. Bernard Parish FAM TRIP appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

MSWIT members…Mark your calendars now!

The annual August Bus FAM Tour is headed to St. Bernard Parish…Tuesday, August 17…to rediscover St. Bernard and the natural and cultural wonders like non other!  

This year's FAM, which we are calling Islenos Seafood Trail:  Fishing Villages, Scenic Bayous and Cultural Wonders, is not to be missed!

MSWIT member Barbara Johnson, Owner of The Great Delta Tours, has prepared a MSWIT Exclusive Tour and a full agenda of informative fun and great networking with other MSWIT members.

Members will be allowed to park in the lot adjacent to the Basin St. Station (501 Basin Street) at the hosptiality industry rate of only $5 for the entire day!

Hotard Buses will be waiting for us to board at 8:45 am and depart promptly at 9 am for our tour.   A full day of activities are planned including lunch in Ycloskey right on the beautiful Bayou la Loutre at Robin's Seafood, a stop at The Parish Marina overlooking Bayou Bienvenue, a tour of the Islenos Cultural Village, the Riverhouse Crevasse 22 Art Space, and the Docville Farm Mississippi River Observatory before we head back to Basin St. no later than 4:15 pm.   Of course, what's a MSWIT meeting without the chance to win some great prizes, trivia games, etc.   Oh…and there's lots of surprises not mention!

This is just a teaser…more details to follow.

We guarantee you will learn things about St. Bernard Parish that you were not aware of…and to think…the Chalmette Battlefield is only 5 miles away from the French Quarter!

So please SAVE THE DATE!   August 17th.    We are so excited and our goal is to have enough attendees to fill not one but two of Hotard's Motorcoaches!  

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