Shreveport - Bossier, Louisiana's Other Side

Shreveport-Bossier, La. - Celebrate the holidays with Aaron Neville and his Quintet in concert in Bossier City.

The Louisiana native and multiple Grammy Award winner will perform at 8 p.m., Dec. 5, at DiamondJacks Casino and Resort. Doors will open at 7 p.m.

Neville's unique voice and soulful music have energized concert halls for more than four decades. From his first musical success, "Tell It Like It Is," to his most recent, critically acclaimed album, "Bring It On Home," he remains a popular artist.

Tickets are on sale for $35 and $10, with Rewards Club members eligible for discounts. Tickets may be purchased in the casino gift shop.

For more information, visit www.diamondjacks.com/bossiercity.aspx or call 1-866-552-9629.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Tarah Holland, Public Relations/Social Media Manager

Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau

(318) 429-0653 or tholland@sbctb.org

October 20, 2009

Trail Offers 40 Nights of Holiday Lights

Annual Holiday Trail of Lights offers the season’s best

free or affordable events for those seeking memorable experiences

There’s nothing like being home for the holidays. So why not experience the best that the season has to offer by creating fun, festive memories at free or affordable, family-friendly holiday events right in your own backyard.

For years, the annual Holiday Trail of Lights has been a one-of-a-kind, regional partnership between two states – Louisiana and Texas – and six cities – Shreveport, Bossier City, Natchitoches, Marshall, Jefferson and Kilgore to promote holiday festivities along I-20 and I-49.

Shreveport-Bossier’s annual Lighting Ceremony will kickoff the season’s 40 nights of wondrous nights of lights on Nov. 20. Other nightly, self-guided tours of lights and other events will follow through Jan. 1, 2010.

The partnership held a kickoff event Tuesday, Oct. 20 at the Klima Center at the Gardens of the American Rose Center in Shreveport.

"Given the financial strains on families in our current economy, we understand that it can be difficult to plan holiday leisure travel," said Iris Harper, president of the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. "But affordability is what makes the Holiday Trail of Lights so unique. For a spectacular 40 nights of holiday lights, this year’s trail offers so many free or affordable options within driving distance for families in a 100-mile radius of the six cities."

This year’s trail will feature an abundance of free holiday events for families, couples and individuals alike including the Lighting Ceremony at the Louisiana Boardwalk in Bossier City on Nov. 20; Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival north of Shreveport on Dec. 5; the Wonderland of Lights Festival in Marshall on Nov. 25; the Turn on the Holidays Festival in the Natchitoches Historic District on Nov. 21; a walk through the Enchanted Forest amid a sparkling wonderland of beautifully decorated Christmas trees in Jefferson, Nov. 27-Dec.31; and a slide down the Mt. Kilgore Snow Hill in Kilgore, Dec. 11-12.

Holiday Trail of Lights is the only marketing coalition of its kind that is not limited by state boundaries. In addition, the trail is an example of economic growth that is bred from successful regional partnerships. Similar initiatives have been lauded as models for building economic development, while expanding limited resources.

Not only does the trail offer visitors an abundance of things to see and do, it also offers a boost to the economies of each city through holiday tourism dollars spent at retail shops, restaurants and hotels.

"We encourage visitors to take a day drive or plan a weekend stay along the Holiday Trail of Lights to create lasting holiday at spirited events, while holiday shopping, browsing the arts or any of the other activities in each of the six cities," said Mike Coston, president of the Kilgore Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau.

Shreveport, Bossier City and Natchitoches, Louisiana, and Jefferson, Kilgore and Marshall, Texas each have classic and also new and exciting events along this year’s trail. For a complete list of holiday events, please visit www.holidaytrailoflights.com, and while there, sign up to receive our e-newsletter and monthly updates.

Oil City (north of Shreveport) – The Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival will be 3:30 p.m.-9 p.m., Dec. 5, at Earl Williamson Park, 11425 LA Hwy 1 in Oil City. The annual event features family-oriented fireworks display with booths, concessions, entertainment, Santa, thousands of lights and a multitude of light sculptures. Fireworks will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Bossier City – The annual Lighting Ceremony will take place at 6 p.m., Nov. 20, at the Louisiana Boardwalk. This year's event will feature a 40-foot Christmas tree, 5,000 twinkling lights, performances by musical guest John Frazier and local dance groups, a snow blizzard and Santa's first area appearance.

Natchitoches – Downtown Natchitoches will kick off the holiday season during "Turn on the Holidays" on Nov. 21. The event is full of free family entertainment and the highlight is the official turning on of thousands of Christmas lights that illuminate the Natchitoches Historic District. Events begin at 11 a.m. with a holiday concert featuring the Northwestern State University "Spirit of Northwestern" Marching Band. That evening, Josh Hyde and the Hitchhikers will perform blues, jazz and zydeco hits from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Marshall – The city’s Wonderland of Lights, Nov. 25, rivals any lighting scene in the country, with more than 10 million lights throughout the community. The Historical Harrison County Courthouse, located in the center of the Downtown Square, is the festival’s jewel with more than 125,000 tiny white lights.

Jefferson – Take a spectacular walk through the city’s Enchanted Forest, Nov. 27-Dec. 31, to see the sparkling wonderland of beautifully decorated Christmas trees. The trail starts at 6 p.m. at Lions Park, 600 East Jefferson St.

Kilgore – A snow hill in Texas? Travel to Kilgore to take a slide down the Mt. Kilgore Snow Hill, Dec. 11-12. While you're there, enjoy activities for the whole family including cut your own family Christmas tree and holiday shopping in downtown Kilgore. Don't miss the "City of Stars" spectacular display of stars atop over 70 oil derricks throughout the town, starting Nov.19.

Media Contact

Brandy Evans

Vice President of Communications

318-218-6126 or bevans@sbctb.org

September 25, 2009

Shreveport-Bossier: Louisiana’s Other Side outperforms state, national tourism trends

Shreveport-Bossier, La. – Shreveport-Bossier: Louisiana’s Other Side tourism industry is strong with Louisiana’s highest hotel occupancy rates, despite a drop in travel figures for many destinations nationwide.

The July Smith Travel Research report shows the Shreveport MSA leading all other Louisiana cities in hotel occupancy for the month of July with 73.5 percent. Baton Rouge’s is 64.1, Lafayette – 49.6, and New Orleans – 64.6. Year-to-date hotel occupancy in the Shreveport MSA has dipped 1.2 percent from 68.9 to 68.1.

According to the Smith data, the U.S. hotel occupancy rate in July was 64.1 percent, down from 69.2 percent in July 2008. Year to date, the U.S. hotel occupancy rate was 56 percent, down from 62.5 percent from last July.

On the upside, Shreveport-Bossier’s upbeat tourism market can be attributed to several factors including a new brand, strong leadership, fiscal responsibility, successful regional partnerships, strong marketing efforts and positive national and regional media attention, according to Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau President Stacy Brown.

"Though we are doing extremely well in light of a sluggish economy, we do recognize that we have some challenges, in particular in the gaming sector," Brown said. "That is why we are forming a coop with all of our local casinos to reposition ourselves in the Dallas/Ft. Worth and East Texas market."

Hotel revenue has nearly doubled from 1998 to 2008. Along with the growth in revenue has been a steady increase in hotel inventory. In 1998, there were about 5,000 hotel rooms. Today, there are about 9,500 rooms. In 2009, year-to-date supply has increased by 6.3 percent and demand has increased by 5 percent. New projects on the horizon will push the number of hotel rooms past the 10,000 mark.

In a June article in the Savannah Morning News, Randall cited Shreveport-Bossier’s increase in tourism over last year as a bright spot in the south’s tourism outlook. The sister cities offer varied attractions, such as casinos, a steady film industry, sports and conventions. Repeat customers also are a factor, according to the article.

In a recent Visitor Intercept Survey conducted for the tourist bureau by Randall Travel Marketing, repeat visitation to Shreveport-Bossier saw a growth of 13 percent over last year’s figures. In total, 87 percent of visitors are coming more than once a year.

"We find Shreveport to be an affordable destination," said Texas residents Carol and Calvin McCall. "We visit once or twice a year, for one or two nights each time."

Shreveport-Bossier’s convenient location in between Dallas, Texas and Jackson, Miss. also offers the couple a midway point to meet family for birthdays and other outings.

"We also enjoy the Bass Pro and Boardwalk shopping," the McCalls said. "We have visited the shops every time we visit and find the Farmers Almanac Store and Bass Pro to be especially enjoyable."

In 2008, the tourist bureau spent more than $1.6 million on direct sales and marketing efforts to generate overnight visitation. Over and above that, the tourist bureau allocated another $329,000 for partners such as the Shreveport Convention Center, CenturyTel Center, Shreveport Regional Sports Authority, Shreveport-Bossier Film Office and funds assistance for many other local organizations.

Moreover, it also has a cooperative advertising budget in 2009 of $146,211 to help local attractions and events keep visitors walking through their doors. Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center, Robinson Film Center, Artspace, Barnwell, Shreveport Little Theatre and many more have benefited from the coop dollars and programs such as the spring/summer digital billboard campaign.

The tourist bureau has facilitated advertising in Louisiana newspapers for a recent IMAX program, helped the museum secure billboard advertising for programs in the early summer and, in addition, regularly splits the cost of Sci-Port’s property brochure, according to Rebecca Proscino, Sci-Port’s Director of Marketing and Strategic Projects.

"But the biggest help was this year when they awarded us a marketing start-up grant for our inaugural Mad Scientist Cycle for Sci-Port – a bike ride benefit to support the center that showcases rural Louisiana," Proscino said. "As a result of that extra help with marketing dollars, so far, we have over 100 riders in the first year of an event. The tourist bureau is helping us, help ourselves by giving this event a solid foundation."

Another partner that has benefited is Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival held in Oil City annually. Mary Dunn, organizer, said the tourist bureau’s efforts help her to reach so many more people than the committee could by itself.

"Partnering with the tourist bureau has made a tremendous difference in the attendance at our event. The tourist bureau has an excellent brochure program. As a non-profit, we would not have the funds to do this alone."

The national media is turning its attention to Shreveport-Bossier and all the wonderful things happening in the area.

In 2009, Shreveport-Bossier has been featured in USA Today Weekend, the Miami Herald, the Dallas Morning News, the Houston Chronicle, Convention South Magazine, Group Tour Magazine and others.

A recent article in the Dallas Morning News (Shreveport-Bossier City has more than gambling to offer – Sept. 11, 2009) characterized the area as "Gambling, of course, is the big draw, with five riverboat casinos and a horse-racing track. But when you need a break from the slots, tables and ponies, there's plenty beyond the neon."

Eldorado Resort Casino

OCTOBER 2009 EVENTS LIST

CELEBRITY LOUNGE

Catch Karaoke with Reno and Pro Karaoke Every Monday night after the football game and Blues Jam every Thursday from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Show times subject to change or cancellation. Additional dates to be announced.

Celebrity Lounge Headliners:

• Oct. 2 Sugarfoot 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

• Oct. 3 The Slags 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

• Oct. 4 Professor Porkchop 10 p.m.

And the Dirty Dishes

• Oct. 7 Earshot Graffiti 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

• Oct. 9 Oso Closo 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

Opener: Highline

• Oct. 10 Sweet Moses 11:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

• Oct. 11 DNR 10 p.m.

• Oct. 14 LA Outlaws 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

• Oct. 16 Nigel Edison Band 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

• Oct. 17 Nigel Edison Band 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

• Oct. 18 Vehicle Reason 10 p.m.

• Oct. 21 Chocolate City 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

• Oct. 23 Identity Crisis 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

• Oct. 24 Identity Crisis 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

• Oct. 25 Dorsey Summerfield 10 p.m.

• Oct. 28 Keith Horton 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

• Oct. 30 Victims of Pop Culture 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

• Oct. 31 Triggerproof 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

CRUNCH TIME! FOOTBALL IN CELEBRITY LOUNGE:

Catch Collegiate & Pro Football Action On Our Big Screens!

• Game Time Special Saturday – Monday - Enjoy a bucket of 5 beers and your choice of buffalo wings or 2 hot dogs for just $12.

• Saturday - Collegiate Football from 11 am – 6 pm.

• Sunday - Pro Football from 11 am – 9 pm.

• Monday - Pro Football from 7 pm – 11pm.

• Monday Special: $2 well drinks and $2 domestic beer during the game.

BLUES JAM WITH PROFESSOR PORKCHOP AND THE DIRTY DISHES

Eldorado invites you to join us for our "Blues Jam with Professor Porkchop and the Dirty Dishes" every Thursday night from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.!

• Enjoy live Blues by the area’s top musicians

• Well liquor - $3 per drink

• Well wine - $2 per glass

• Domestic Beer - $2 per bottle

• Import Beer - $3.25 per bottle

Patrons must have active ABO card to receive discounted beverage prices.

SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND

Join local songwriters Jason Sepulvado, Cameron Meshell, and Daniel Smalley for Song Writers in the Round

• See great songwriters showcase their craft

• Every Tuesday night in Eldorado’s Celebrity Lounge from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m.

CASINO CASH PATROL

Win $1,000 every 15 minutes on Saturday, October 3!

• The Eldorado Casino Cash Patrol will give away $1,000 every 15 minutes from 5 p.m. until midnight.

• Random slot machines will be chosen, and players at those machines with properly inserted Club Eldorado cards will win the cash.

• Must be present to win.

Stop by Club Eldorado for complete details.

$20,000 DEAD GIVEAWAYS – SO MUCH CASH, IT’S SCARY!

The money will drive you mad during Eldorado’s $20,000 Dead Giveaways! Win your share of $20,000 cash guaranteed each Friday, October 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30.

• Play our loose slots and hot tables between 12:01 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. each giveaway day for a chance to win cash prizes ranging from $250 to $1,000.

• Club Eldorado members may swipe their Club Eldorado Card between 4:00 p.m. and 11:45 p.m. on drawing days to activate entry(s).

• Random drawings will be held from 6 p.m. to midnight on promotion days.

• Must be present to win.

Stop by Club Eldorado for complete details.

THE BIG DEAL CASH GIVEAWAYS

$75,000 up for Grabs! Will you keep the $750, or give in to temptation?

• Play our huge variety of slots and table games October 1 through 17 for your chance to win $750 cash.

• On October 17, you’ll then have 30 seconds to decide if you should keep the money or trade it in for a briefcase worth up to $10,000! Risk it, and your winnings could decrease.

• Swipe your Club Eldorado card from 12 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. October 17 to activate your entries.

• One winner will be drawn every 15 minutes from 2 p.m. until midnight. 41 players will win.

• Stop by Club Eldorado for complete promotional details.

DISCOVER TREASURES OF THE ELDORADO

• Play with your Club Eldorado Card every day to win your share of over $1.5 MILLION in cash and prizes guaranteed.

• Club Eldorado members can play with their Club Eldorado card at our Treasures of the Eldorado game kiosk up to six times daily to win Treasures including cash, restaurant, gift shop and spa comps, plus much more.

• For every 20 points earned, Club Eldorado members receive one entry into that week’s Treasures Sunday drawing at 6 pm for $10,000 in total cash prizes. Earn double entries Tuesday through Thursday.

• Close a path playing our Treasures game kiosk and receive 20 entries into our drawing to win a 2010 Mercedes E350 October 24! The first to close a path wins $500 in addition to 20 entries.

• For every 20 points, Club Eldorado members will receive one entry. The nine winners of each Treasures Sunday drawing will earn one entry. Earn double entries Tuesday through Thursday.

• Stop by Club Eldorado for complete details.

GOLD RUSH $3,000 WEEKLY SLOT TOURNAMENTS

Every Monday; $3,000 guaranteed prize money per tournament

• Tournaments held every Monday at 7:00 p.m.

• Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. on day of tournament

• President and Gold card holders receive one free round; regular entry fee is $20

• For complete details, ask any slot employee.

TOURNAMENT TUESDAYS

Weekly blackjack tournament; Guaranteed $2000 prize pool

• Tournament held every Tuesday at 5 p.m.

• Registration begins at 4 p.m. day of tournament

• Entry fee is $20

• Located on first level of casino

• See Club Eldorado or contact Pit Supervisor for complete details

Contact: Leslie Peck August 18, 2009 Advertising/PR Manager

lpeck@eldoradoshreveport.com

(318) 510-8899

ELDORADO RESORT CASINO BRINGS ULTRA LOUNGE TO SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER

Shreveport, LA - Eldorado Resort Casino Shreveport is proud to announce the opening of Allure Ultra Lounge as part of a recent $1.5 million renovation project.

Located on the second level of the hotel pavilion, Allure Ultra Lounge is designed with all the senses in mind. Modeled after modern nightclubs found in major U.S. cities and unique to Shreveport-Bossier, Allure boasts a rich palette of tomato red, espresso chocolate, gold and shimmering metallics with glass, creating a luxurious atmosphere. Swirls, stripes and undulating waves of wall covering and fabrics enhance the provocative design. Casual seating areas are available for easy conversation, and guests may order bottle service at their table. A new dance floor with additional seating overlooks the Celebrity Lounge, giving the space a skybox effect with unobstructed views of live music. Flat screen TVs are placed throughout the venue, allowing guests to enjoy sporting events and up close views of the bands playing in Celebrity Lounge below. Allure’s bar is unique in its own right, with a lighted golden avonite bar top and serving a variety of drinks from beer to wine and classic and modern cocktails.

In addition to Allure, Eldorado’s investment in the property includes expansive floor-to-ceiling renovations to the Celebrity Lounge. Celebrity has been completely enclosed in beautiful mahogany and glass, giving the site a more intimate and sophisticated feel. New carpet, wall coverings, bar stools, and club chairs have been added, and the façade surrounding the stage area has been hand painted with one-of-a-kind murals. With Allure Ultra Lounge’s open balcony upstairs and Celebrity Lounge downstairs, guests can now enjoy live music from the region’s best bands in two venues under one roof.

Michael Whitemaine, Eldorado General Manager, states, "We are very excited about Allure Ultra Lounge and the change it brings to Shreveport-Bossier nightlife. There is no bar like it in our area, and it is a perfect complement to Celebrity Lounge. Our hotel rooms are also being completely redesigned, a project that will be finished very soon. It is important to us to ensure we are giving our guests the very best experience possible, and we do that by continually improving our already beautiful property."

Eldorado Resort Casinos is based in Reno, Nevada. For more information on Allure and Celebrity Lounge or to schedule tours and interviews, please call Leslie Peck at (318) 510-8899. Visit us online at eldoradoshreveport.com.

###

For Immediate Release

September 9, 2009

For more information, contact Jessica Oliver / office (318) 741-7800, cell phone (318) 207-7363

LOUISIANA DOWNS TO CELEBRATE 30TH ANNIVERSARY RUNNING OF SUPER DERBY

(Bossier City, LA) – Louisiana Downs is celebrating the 30th anniversary running of the Super Derby! Bring the whole family out to experience the majesty and excitement of live thoroughbred racing! Enjoy Louisiana’s biggest race of the year and prelude to the 2009 Breeders’ Cup World Championship. There’s something for all ages at Louisiana Downs. Super Derby is scheduled for Saturday, September 19th with the first post time at noon.

Saturday, September 12th

Wiener Dog Races and Kid Races – Saturday, September 12 starting at 10am

Come out to watch daring dachshunds dash for the finish line! The wiener dog races are hilarious to watch and fun for all ages. The kids’ races will be between each dog race.

Saturday, September 19th

IFOCE Grits Eating Contest – 10:00am

The annual Grits Eating Contest is back! Watch some of the top eaters in the country compete for the prized Grits Championship trophy. Eater X, Tim Janus, will defend his Grits Champion title against Joey Chesnut, the world’s best eater, and Bob Shout the #5 ranked eater, plus many more! Also, cheer on your favorite local radio disc jockeys and t.v. news reporters as they scarf down pounds of grits. Deejays and news reporters from K94.5, 99X, MIX 97.3, KRMD, 710AM, and KSLA Channel 12 News will compete against one another and some of the world’s best eaters! Don’t miss the greatest Grits Eating Contest in the world only at Louisiana Downs!

Family Day Tent – 10:00am-6:00pm

The kids (and parents, too) will have a great time with sand art, face painting, a sand box and much more! Join us in the tent located on the apron.

Jockey Meet & Greet – 10:30am-11:30am

Mix and mingle with star Super Derby jockeys and Anna Roberts, the country’s prettiest jockey.

Super Derby Hat Contest – 10:00am-1:00pm

Ladies, get into the spirit of Louisiana’s premier thoroughbred race, Super Derby. Register to enter into the Annual Super Derby Hat Contest between 10am and 1pm. Hat contests will be judged between races. You could win one of three categories: Spirit of Louisiana, Classic, or Most Original.

Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. is the world's largest provider of branded casino entertainment through operating subsidiaries. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada nearly 70 years ago, Harrah's has grown through development of new properties, expansions and acquisitions, and now owns or manages casinos on four continents. The company’s properties operate primarily under the Harrah’s, Caesars and Horseshoe brand names; Harrah’s also owns the London Clubs International family of casinos. Harrah's Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership. More information about Harrah’s is available at its Web site – www.harrahs.com. Know When to Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700. © 2009, Harrah’s License Company, LLC.

SHOW US YOUR SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER! 

Showcase your talents on screen or behind the camera in the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau’s "Show Us Your Shreveport-Bossier" video promotion.    

The tourist bureau announced the kickoff of the promotion, today, May 18, at a news conference in the Kilpatrick Café at the Robinson Film Center.

"Our newest promotion is aimed at raising awareness of the Louisiana’s Other Side brand and also generating community pride in Shreveport-Bossier," said President Stacy Brown. "The entire community is encouraged to take part in this innovative way to star in their own movie and showcase the things they love most about Shreveport-Bossier: Louisiana’s Other Side."

The tourist bureau is now accepting promotion entries. All video entries must be uploaded to YouTube.com and, upon approval based on specified terms, the tourist bureau will embed those videos on the promotion website at www.Shreveport-Bossier.org. Video entries may be submitted through June 30.

Once all the videos have been uploaded and the video entry submission date ends, the public will decide who has the best video. Voting will run through July 17.

After all votes have been counted, the tourist bureau, along with its partner the Robinson Film Center, will host a red carpet premiere event to showcase the best videos in the film center’s Willis Knighton Theater at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 23. The top finalists will be recognized and some lucky person will receive a check for $2,500. This event will be FREE and open to the public.   

So that no one is at a disadvantage, the Robinson Film Center will host a free workshop – How to Make Your Video Better – at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, June 7. The course will offer participants an opportunity to get their questions answered, review recording techniques, hear tips on posting videos to YouTube and much more.    

"This contest is a great example of how film can help build and strengthen communities, and we’re proud to be a part of it," said Chris Jay, director of marketing and programming at the film center. "One of our goals at The Robinson Film Center is to empower members of our community to tell their own stories through the medium of film, so this is a natural partnership."