The Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau is the official destination marketing organization whose staff are experts, local business advocates and tourism industry leaders at the local, state, and national levels.
The Tourist Bureau services more than 800 partners in the Shreveport-Bossier area, oversees two visitor centers, and manages marketing partnerships such as the Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights, Boom or Bust Byway, Shreveport-Bossier Attractions Association, Retire Shreveport-Bossier, and many more.
Pictured: The Latin family at the Red River Balloon Rally, Shreveport; Photo Credit: Jennifer Robison
The Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau is the official destination marketing organization attracting sports, meeting, leisure, and gaming visitors that result in economic growth through visitor expenditures and an enhanced quality of life in Louisiana's Caddo and Bossier parishes.
Pictured: "A Call to Action" Mural by Ali Bahler, Downtown Shreveport; Photo Credit: Kyle Johnson
Long considered an omen of bad luck, Friday the 13th evokes fear among some people. This year on Friday, March 13, the worst-case scenario in recent American history happened when we were ordered to shelter in place by Gov. John Bel Edwards to combat the nasty, pervasive virus known as COVID-19 or coronavirus.
The casinos, hotels, restaurants and attractions shuttered their businesses in an attempt to flatten the curve. After two months, with many working from home, we were able to reopen with limited capacity to stimulate our local and state economy.
We recorded lost business of 121 meetings/events/sporting events. That represents $27.6 million in direct economic impact to our community. My team has been working hard to recoup some of that business for future years, as the fate of our meeting and sports venues linger in limbo.
Yet, this does not mean that we are down and out. We have served as the conduit for new guidance and information to our partners by hosting webinars, emailing partners, talking to clients and marketing to visitors. We launched a new marketing campaign called "Press Play Shreveport-Bossier", that included a new pilot program to offer a package of discounts at partnering hotels, attractions and restaurants to regional visitors seeking travel deals.
Research indicates that there is a pent up demand for regional drive destinations like Shreveport-Bossier. A recent survey by the Out of Home Advertising Association of America found that 62% of vacationers are planning a road trip, a 72% increase from last summer. 79% plan to travel more than 100 miles from home, while 54% will go more than 400 miles from home, and nearly half of all respondents said that vacations will be in groups of three or more.
On the sales side, we are talking to meeting planners, rescheduling displaced conferences, and bidding to host new groups for future years. Sports events have the most immediate potential, particularly those held in outside venues.
We are actively, diligently and responsibly looking at all opportunities to fill our hotels, restaurants, casinos and attractions.
As I said before, never have we faced so great a challenge, but we are resilient, strong and ready to take these challenges and turn them into future opportunities.
Sincerely,
The Convention and Tourism Sales Department promotes Shreveport-Bossier as a convention and tourism destination. Market segments include corporate, education, medical, government, oil and gas, religious and social organizations.
The team works diligently to book conventions at the Shreveport Convention Center, gaming conference centers and hotel meeting space.
Pictured: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity 74th Annual Southwestern Regional Convention, February 2020, Shreveport Convention Center; Photo Credit: Kyle Johnson
The convention and tourism sales team logged a record 5,395 client contacts as the team ramped up efforts to reach out to current and potential new customers for Shreveport-Bossier as lost business tolls for 2020 mounted as a result of COVID-19. The amount of client contact is a significant increase over 2019.
Pictured: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity 74th Annual Southwestern Regional Convention, February 2020, Shreveport Convention Center; Photo Credit: Kyle Johnson
Volunteer Report 2020
- 2020 High School State Wrestling Championship
- 2020 Mardi Gras Bash
- 2020 Region 14 NJCAA Basketball Tournament
Volunteer Service
- Number of individual volunteers: 143
- Number of service hours given: 1,440
- Volunteer shifts filled: 287
The sales team for the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission ramped up its efforts to reach out to current and potential clients. The sales team created 1,612 customer contacts, a significant increase over 2019.
Sponsorship/Sales Report
$33,850 raised in total sponsorships from the LHSAA State Wrestling Championships, NJCAA Region 14 basketball tournament and Red River Balloon Rally Overflight.
Sports Public Relations
Pictured: Red River Balloon Rally Overflight, June 2020; Photo Credit: Louisiana Office of Tourism
The Boom or Bust Byway is the ultimate road trip for explorers, families, retirees and international visitors who are seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure. This scenic, self-driving tour spans 136 miles across four parishes: Caddo, Bossier, Webster and Claiborne. It follows Louisiana Highway 2 and runs between the Louisiana/Texas border and Hwy. 3049 on the west and Lake Claiborne on the east.
Pictured: Boom or Bust Byway Roadtripper; Photo Credit: Chelsa King