MSWIT has a special Summer Social gathering planned for Thursday, July 9 from 5 pm – 7 pm at the beautiful patio/pool rooftop of the Downtown Holiday Inn.   There is no fee for this event…JUST lots of FUN!

If you enjoyed the networking fun that we had last year at Coconut Beach, then you will really want to make it to this special Summer Social.  MSWIT will be providing some lite snacks and there will be a bar set up where you can purchase your favorite beverage!  (Be sure to bring a credit card because the bartender can’t take cash as this is a cashless property.)

To RSVP…simply email bobbimannino@gmail.com and say “count me in”!

Where to park…

The hotel has arranged with their parking partner for our members to only pay $8 for self parking in their indoor garage (again credit card only).   After you park, take the elevator to the 8th floor.

What to wear…

Something cool…even though there will also be a cabana open for those that prefer to be in the a/c.

What to bring if you can…. 

This event is just 5 weeks away from our huge “Biennial” Fashion Show Fundraiser Luncheon on Saturday, August 15 in the grand ballroom of the Treasure Chest Casino.    This will be a great time to bring whatever you plan to donate to our Parade of Prizes and to our Swag Bags.   

Even if you don’t represent a company that has donation type items (gift cards, gift certificates, admission tickets, hotel stays, dinners, tangible items), a way for everyone to help is to bring something that we can “stuff” in one of our three lovely designer purses (two Dooney & Bourke and one Guess)  which will be featured on the Parade of Prizes.

One purse will have a glamour theme….bath bombs, essential oils, skin care products soaps, massager, Lipstick, makeup

One purse will be a working girl theme…note pad, cord keepers,  computer
Lipstick, hair brush, hair clips (day and nite) chocolate, charger, ear phones, reading glasses, wallet,
Coffee cup/coffee

One purse will be lagniappe…a little bit of everything.

In order to be included in the Swag bags, we need 300 of the same item.  Thanks to Tanya and Zondra at Visit Northshore for the bags! Edna Fuentes with La Madeleine has provided 300 complimentary ONE FREE ENTREE cards and 300 ONE FREE BAKERY ITEM cards!  We also have 300 oyster shell ornaments.   We would love to add other items like buy one/get one coupons, product samples, etc.

If you have a question about a prize you would to donate to the Parade of Prizes, to the Purses or 300 items for the Swag Bag, please contact Fran McManus at mcbrandmarketing@yahoo.com or or Denise Guillet at d.t.guillet@gmail.com.

The post Your RSVP is requested for MSWIT’s July 9 Summer Social at the Downtown Holiday Inn appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

We expect a large attendance for this month’s special “Membership Drive” lunch meeting on Tuesday, June 23 at The Jung Hotel.  At this meeting we are inviting “Qualified Prospective Members” as our guests for lunch.   We already have started our list of suggested interested potential members.   Contact Bobbi for more details.

MSWIT Members Ryan Sheckart, Maggie Kelly, Carolynn Laudun and the culinary team at The Jung, will provide a delicious buffet lunch for all of us.  The sales team will be on hand to assist with any questions about their ballrooms, meeting rooms and even sleeping accommodations.  There’s even a special raffle for anyone able to take time to view what they have to offer. 

Our buffet will include…

Our very special SPEAKERS for this big event are Tiffany Isemann and Rachel Funel with New Orleans & Company addressing IPW 2027  and how you and your company can get involved. 

Networking Begins at 11:15 am with a Cash Bar 

Lunch Buffet:  Begins at 11:50 am

Presentation: Begins at 12:15 pm or as soon as everyone has their lunch plate and is seated 

Luncheon COST:   $45/Members

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.

PARKING — The Jung Hotel is offering all of us $10 valet parking for this event!

We will have our 50/50 Raffle, so if you plan to participate, please bring cash.   3 chances for $5

The post MSWIT Annual Membership Drive Luncheon takes place on Tuesday, June 23 at The Jung Hotel appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

Our next MSWIT dinner meeting takes place on Tuesday, May 26 at Boulevard American Bistro’s new “private dining room” located  in the Independence Mall located in Metairie at 4241 Veterans Memorial Blvd.  There’s plenty of free parking and we will enter in the special group entrance with the navy blue awning that says “Boulevard Private Dining” which is the next unit adjacent to the rear of the restaurant.

Our special speakers for this meeting…

Arita Bohannan
Jefferson Parish Councilwoman
and founding partner of Bohannan, Mayer and Associates

Renada Collins
U.S. Congressional Candidate
and Executive Director of Impacting Potentials

Laine Garner, MSWIT Member
Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Education,
Louisiana Travel Association

The topic for our esteemed panel of speakers will be “Tourism Advocacy Essentials” sharing practical tips and messaging to help women advocate for tourism and take advantage of benefits available to them through connection with their lawmakers and community leaders.

The Boulevard is offering an excellent 3 course dinner menu with choice of entree…

First Course: Salad

House Salad
bacon, tomatoes, chopped egg, sourdough croutons

Second Course:  Entree (choose 1)

A. – Fire Roasted Half Chicken
slow roasted, natural jus, mashed potatoes

This special private room is limited to the first 50 RSVPs so be sure to get your RSVP in no later than May 18th.

Networking begins at 5:30 pm with a CASH WINE BAR(cc cards work too) soft drinks are included in the cost; program starts promptly at 6:00 pm and we plan to be finished no later than 7:45 pm.

DINNER COST:   $50/Members 

To RSVP, send an email to bobbimannino@gmail.com and indicate which entree you would like  (A) or (B) or (C)

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

We will be offering a 50/50 raffle so bring cash if you would like to participate!  3 tickets for $5

The post MSWIT’s May 26th Dinner Meeting takes place at the “Boulevard Private Dining Room” on Vets Hwy appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

Our next Dinner meeting takes place on Tuesday, April 28 at Benedict’s Catering & Events Center which is located at 1144 North Causeway Blvd. in Mandeville (just 11 blocks off the Causeway Bridge/3rd Traffic light).    If anyone would like to car-pool, please let us know as it gets closer to the event.

Ladies, we are in for a real treat with a spectacular sit down dinner provided by our wonderful hosts for the evening, owners Shirley Deluzain and her daughter Nicole Dezendorf!   In addition to playing a major role in Louisiana Tourism as well as the Louisiana Restaurant Association back in the 1990’s….Shirley was also a MSWIT member!

They will need to know your entree selection in advance…so when submitting your RSVP, please let us know which of their “specialty” entrees you would like…

(A) Chicken Delacroix
Golden fried Chicken Breast stuffed with Black Forest Ham, fresh Baby Spinach, and Aged Provolone Cheese finished with a Wild Mushroom Chardonnay Cream
or
(B) Stuffed Catfish
Fresh Filet of Fish stuffed with a Louisiana Blue Crab dressing finished with a light Lemon Beurre Blanc.

Networking begins at 5:30 pm with a CASH BAR; program starts promptly at 6:00 pm and we plan to be finished no later than 7:45 pm.

DINNER COST:   $50/Members or $55 Guests/Potential Members

To RSVP, send an email to bobbimannino@gmail.com and indicate which entree you would like  (A) or (B) 

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

We will be offering a 50/50 raffle so bring cash if you would like to participate!  3 tickets for $5

The post MSWIT April 28 Dinner Meeting takes place at Benedict’s Catering + Events Center on the Northshore! appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

Our March meeting is our annual all day bus fam tour where we experience things we have never done before in our neighboring back yards! This year MSWIT Member Charlene Hale, Jefferson Parish CVB, along with the help of MSWIT member Brittany Perrin, Airboat Adventures, have an amazing itinerary for all of us to enjoy.

Tuesday, March 24th FAM Tour of Jefferson Parish

• 8:00am-8:20am –  Arrive/Park in the Elmwood Shopping Center parking lot right near La Madelaine Elmwood (1200 Clearview Parkway).   Before boarding the Hotard Coach, walk into La Madelaine for some complimentary self service coffee set up inside by the front door.  (Also a good time to use the restroom).   If you choose to purchase any food items or any other beverage, be sure to get it “to go” so you can bring it on the bus.
• Bus will depart promptly at 8:30 am.
• Full detailed itinerary will be announced just as soon as all the attractions are confirmed!  We will include a great buffet lunch at The Red Maple Restaurant along with a jam packed agenda.  We plan to be back in our cars no later than 4:30 pm.
  This is option “A” and is limited to the first 56 people who register!
• If you can only join us for an early LUNCH  (around 11:15 am – 1036 Lafayette St. in Gretna), ask for Option “B”

 Visit Jefferson Parish (the JCVB) has arranged for a 56 passenger Hotard Coach to take us on our roundtrip excursion.    So we are limited to the first 56 members to RSVP for the full day of educational fun.

COST:   $45/Members  (not accepting guests until we know the headcount one week out.)

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

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

ALSO…we always wear out MSWIT T-Shirts for this event.   If you don’t have a shirt, we still have 18 shirts (with our MSWIT logo in white) on hand (3 Medium, 6 Large, 4 XL, 3 XXL, and 2 XXXL) which cost $20 each.   If we run out or don’t have your size, you can wear your own Royal Blue top to blend right in!     If you want to include the $20 in your registration for a shirt that you know is being reserved for you, shoot Bobbi a message that the extra $20 is for your reserved shirt.

The post MSWIT’s Annual Bus FAM Tour will explore the Westbank of Jeffeson Parish! appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

Our next Dinner meeting takes place on Tuesday, February 24 at the fabulous venue appropriately named 4141 which is located at 4141 St. Charles Avenue.

Networking begins at 5:30 pm with a CASH BAR; program starts promptly at 6:00 pm and we plan to be finished no later than 7:45 pm.

DINNER COST:   $50/Members or $55 Guests/Potential Members

To RSVP, send an email to bobbimannino@gmail.com and indicate which entree you would like  (A) or (B) or (C).

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

Plenty of Free “off street” Parking in rear of building or across the street in the Sacred Heart Academy school yard.

We will be offering a 50/50 raffle so bring cash if you would like to participate!

The post MSWIT February Dinner Meeting Takes Place at 4141 (St. Charles Avenue) appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

The post MSWIT 50th Anniversary GALA – Tuesday, January 27 – Chateau Estates Country Club appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

Get your festive holiday attire ready  for our annual MSWIT Christmas Party LUNCHEON on Tuesday, December 9th at the Rooftop on Basin (4th floor of the Basin St. Visitors Center/Brakeman Hotel at 501 Basin St.) (parking options below). 

This event will sell out so please RSVP early.   Reservations are limited to members only until we see if there are guest seats available.  A “waiting list” will be created if requested.  Guarantee to venue is due on December 1.

Networking + a special Complimentary Holiday Cheer  + Cash Bar begin at 11:30 am and our festive lunch and program starts promptly at Noon. 

Our MSWIT members Stacey Messina and Maggie Zcheidrich, along with Sales Manager Anna Lantier and the culinary staff at Messina’s Catering & Events, have a very special Christmas buffet planned for all of us to enjoy.

***************************
Holiday Charity Drive

Kenner Food Bank

Attendees are asked to bring non-perishable food items for the Kenner Food Bank. 
MSWIT Board Member, Carolyn Barrett will deliver these items after our event.

COST:   $50/Members   

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.

***************************

PARKING Options

Free on site parking for up to the first 30 vehicles, nearby street parking plus a paid public parking lot for $10 all day.  Consider carpooling if possible!

***************************

The post First RSVP Request for our Christmas Party Luncheon on Dec 9th at the Rooftop on Basin appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

However, we have a long list of things to do in November and will have a chance to see other MSWIT members!

Nov 2 – Dress For Success Sparkle & Style Brunch – RSVP

Let the Feast Begin!…Holiday Feast Sampling Event
Saturday, Nov 8 – from 11 am – 3 pm at all La Madelaine locations in our area, Complimentary Food Tastings for all MSWIT members and their guest.   Enjoy delicious samples of Feast Favorites and a Chance to win a Heat-at-Home Feast for Four or fabulous tote filled with Market favorites!

Nov 8-9 – Destrehan Plantation 53rd Annual Fall Festival – INFO

Nov 13 – Celebrate Canal Quarterly Meeting 11am-1:30 pm Astor Crown Plaza with Walt Leger as Speaker – RSVP

Nov 16 – Kenner Food Truck Festival – 11am-7pm at Laketown! Free Admission, Over 30 Food Trucks, Live Music, Drinks, Crafts, Vendors – INFO

Nov 28 – Dec 31- Fa la la la FRIGHTS! Holiday Ghost Tour is a hauntingly good time filled with holiday storytelling that’s fun for all ages. Haunted streets, mysterious happenings, and stories that’ll give you goosebumps while you’re still humming Christmas carols. Just 9 spots per tour. TICKETS

Be sure to mark your calendar…

December 9 – MSWIT’s Annual Christmas Party at 11:30 am at the Rooftop on Basin.   The RSVP will be sent out very soon!

January 27, 2026 – MSWIT’s 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner at the Chateau Estates Country Club where guests will be welcome to attend!

The post MSWIT takes a Thanksgiving Break! appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.

Get Ready to Cackle, msWITCHes! 

Grab your broomstick and join us for our msWITCHes dinner on Tuesday, October 28 at Destrehan Plantation inside the Mule Barn.   We encourage everyone to come in your favorite Halloween attire to add to the fun…but be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes as there will be an after dark Destrehan Hauntings Tour that you don’t want to miss!

Our Ghostess with the Mostess hosts, Tracy  Smith, Executive Director of Destrehan Plantation and MSWIT member Leslie Brewer, Director of Sales,  have a wonderful spooky meal planned for us!  

Complimentary Witches Potions and Ghostly Libations!!!

Witches Graveyard Greens
Spooktacular Gourd Cheesecake
Mummy’s Homemade Baked Chicken
Vampire Veggie Pasta Primavera
Broomstick Broccoli
Monster Mashed Potatoes
Devilicious Dinner Rolls

The post Calling all msWITCHes to our magical October 28th Dinner Meeting at Destrehan Plantation appeared first on MSWIT: Mid South Women in Tourism.