Shreveport - Bossier, Louisiana's Other Side

Digital arts festival will be held September 6-9, 2012

SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER, LA – Bossier Arts Council (BAC) will unveil details of DigiFest South, a new digital arts festival and career fair, during a press conference at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 22 at the Cyber Innovation Center, 6300 E. Texas St., Bossier City.

Joined by Bossier City Mayor Lo Walker, BAC will introduce DigiFest South, a digital arts festival and career fair, to be held Sept. 6-9 at the Bossier Civic Center in Bossier City. DigiFest South will include a career fair, digital arts and vendor exhibitions and presentations by TEDx Red River featuring experts from Twin Engine Labs, CoHabitat Shreveport, Blade Studios, Fairfield Studios and more.

Due to Cyber Innovation Center’s security restrictions, those attending the press conference must bring a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license. RSVPs are required for non-media attendees. Guests are asked to park in the visitor parking section, located to the right of the center aisle, and to avoid reserved and marked parking spaces.

To RSVP or for more information on DigiFest South, contact Clint McCommon at (318) 780-5924 or clint@fairfieldstudios.com.

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May 10 Event at DiamondJacks Casino and Hotel Honored Star Employees in Tourism and Hospitality Industry

SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER, LA – The Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau honored its best and brightest hospitality and tourism employees at its annual 2012 P.R.I.D.E. Awards Galas, Thursday, May 10, at DiamondJacks Casino and Hotel. Businesses, organizations, sales staff and front line employees were honored for their contributions to the industry. “P.R.I.D.E.” stands for “Proud Residents Involved in Developing Our Economy.” 
 
The honorees and P.R.I.D.E. winners include:

Volunteerism Award
•    Barksdale AFB Volunteer Resource Program

Tourism Awards
•    Outstanding Exhibit - The Fantastic Mr. Fox, Shreveport Regional Arts Council and Bodies Revealed, Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center

Tourism Partner Award
•    Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino
•    LAMAR Advertising

Icon Award
•    “Fantastic Flying Confetti Parade”

Sports Awards
•    Best Indoor Facility - CenturyLink Center
•    Legendary Sporting Event - Sickle Cell Softball Tournament and River Cities Triathalon
•    Best Outdoor Facility - Red River South Marina
•    Shreveport-Bossier Sporting Event of the Year - 2012 Bassmaster Classic

Communication Awards
•    Gulf Pig Underground Dinner Club, Chef Michael O’Boyle
•    Community Blog Aficionado, Robert Trudeau
•    Use of Social Media, Red River Revel Arts Festival
•    National Media Coverage, The Louisiana Film Prize
•    Media Tour Fav, Geauxsicles
•    Top Tourism Web Referral, CenturyLink Center

Convention Awards
•    9th Annual Vietnam Education Foundation, Shelley Humphrey
•    Kappa Kappa Iota National, Mary Lou Hughes
•    American Advertising Federation, Alan Hampton
•    Southern Regional Summit, Bishop Larry L. Brandon
•    Louisiana Municipal Association, Karen Barnes

New Properties
•    Hampton Inn & Suites Shreveport/Bossier City-North
•    Holiday Inn Express Suites Bossier City at Louisiana Downs

PRIDE Awards

Outstanding Performing Arts Professional
•    John Bogan
•    Anna Maria Sparke-Keele

Event of the Year
•    Backlot Gala, Robinson Film Center

Outstanding Southern Hospitality Ambassador
•    Waynette Ballengee

Outstanding Front Desk/Guest Services - Full Service
•    Dolly Wood, Horseshoe Casino & Hotel

Outstanding Front Desk/Guest Services - Limited Service
•    La’Tasha Taylor, Holiday Lanes
•    Roshaunda Randall, Holiday Inn Express-West

Outstanding Chef - Casino & Fine Dining
•    Cedric Williams, William B’s Restaurant at Sam’s Town Casino

Outstanding Chef - Casual Restaurant
•    Robert “Boz” Baucum, Marilyn’s Place

Outstanding Food Server - Full Service
•    Samir Kabalaoui, William B’s Restaurant at Sam’s Town Casino

Outstanding Banquet Staff
•    Latonia Edwards, DiamondJacks Casino and Resort

Outstanding Culinary Staff
•    Loraine Dunn, Ralph & Kacoos
•    Carmen Beard & Sammy Plater, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs
•    Wine Country’s Kitchen Staff, Wine Country Bistro

Outstanding Culinary Professional - Limited Service
•    Johnetta Mitchell, Holiday Inn Express-West Shreveport

Outstanding Banquet Professional Sales
•    Michelle Anderson-York, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs

Outstanding Bartender
•    Angela Bryant, Ralph & Kacoo’s

Outstanding Valet
•    Derrick Parker, Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino

Outstanding Bellman/Gift Shop Professional
•    Rico Jones, Eldorado Resort & Casino

Outstanding Engineer
•    Haden Brown, Holiday Lanes

Outstanding Housekeeping - Full Service
•    Betty Spears, Eldorado Resort & Casino

Outstanding Housekeeping - Limited Service
•    Christina Winn, Holiday Inn Express-West

Outstanding Hotel Sales Professional Director/Manager
•    Janet Maldonado, DiamondJacks Casino & Resort

Outstanding Hotel Sales Professional - Full Service
•    La’Keisha Holden, DiamondJacks Casino & Resort

Outstanding Hotel Sales Professional - Limited Service
•    Cindy Lubbe, Courtyard by Marriott

Outstanding Slot Games Professional
•    Michael Herzog, Sam’s Town Casino & Hotel
•    Terri Timmons, Boomtown Casino & Hotel

Outstanding Table Games Professional
•    Victor Arizmendi, Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino

Outstanding Attraction Professional
•    Robin Williams, Holiday Lanes
•    Bonne Sommers, Artspace

Outstanding Transportation Professional
•    Jim Allen, Horseshoe Casino & Hotel

Outstanding Employee - Leadership
•    Ashley Wade, Horseshoe Casino & Hotel

Outstanding Employee - Non-Leadership
•    Connie Dison, Horseshoe Casino & Hotel

Outstanding Executive - Full Service
•    Rob Brown, Horseshoe Casino & Hotel
•    Sarah Parsons, DiamondJacks Casino & Resort

Outstanding Executive - Limited Service
•    Tricia Crowder, Microtel Inn/Southern Hospitality

PRIDE Master
•    Ray Ferland, Courtyard by Marriott

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Shreveport, LA - Food vendors, arts and crafts and two stages of jazz and blues in the heart of Shreveport, Louisiana's historic Highland neighborhood: that's the Highland Jazz and Blues Festival. Organizers have announced that the 9th Annual Highland Jazz and Blues Festival will take place 12 p.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, November 17 in Shreveport's Columbia Park. Admission is free.

"Expect dancing, beer, cuisine from Louisiana and elsewhere, jewelry and visual art and the vibe of a regional reunion," said volunteer festival organizer Robert Trudeau.

Headlining acts at the Highland Jazz and Blues Festival have included well-known performers such as the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Rebirth Brass Band, Chicago bluesman Henry Gray, The Gourds, and more.    

Follow the HJ&BF on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/119069855514/.

For More Information:
Robert Trudeau, Highland Jazz and Blues Festival Organizer
(318) 272-6045
trudeau11 at gmail dot com

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Louisiana is gearing up for the celebration of the century as the state marks its 200th anniversary of statehood in 2012. Involving both education and celebration, Bicentennial events are being planned in every corner of the state. For a statewide calendar of Louisiana events or information on planning a memorable visit to Louisiana, visit www.louisianatravel.com.

SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CITY, LA – The 14th annual Sunflower Trail and Festival will take place 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, June 2 in Gilliam, Louisiana. The event features art and entertainment for all ages including handmade items for sale by heritage crafters and artists, hands-on activities for children, art exhibits, a sunflower photography contest, and more. Food and refreshment vendors will also be available. Admission is free and open to the public. Festival activities will take place behind the Red River Crossroads Museum in Gilliam, just off of Highway 3049. Highway 3049 (also known as Dixie/Shreveport Road) can be reached from Shreveport by heading north on Grimmett Drive until Grimmett Drive becomes Highway 3049.

Visitors to the festival are encouraged to explore the Sunflower Trail on their way to or from the festival. To drive the Sunflower Trail, turn right at Old Dixie Gin and Sentell Road and drive the loop around the levee. Sentell Road circles back to Highway 3049 at Cornerstone Baptist Church, just north of Dixie. This scenic drive features several sunflower varieties and wildflower fields. Sunflowers along the trail are expected to be in full bloom.

For more information on the 14th annual Sunflower Trail and Festival, contact Gilliam Mayor Helen Adger at (318) 296-4393 or Karen Logan at (318) 296-4303.       
                                                       
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Louisiana is gearing up for the celebration of the century as the state marks its 200th anniversary of statehood in 2012. Involving both education and celebration, Bicentennial events are being planned in every corner of the state. For a statewide calendar of Louisiana events or information on planning a memorable visit to Louisiana, visit www.louisianatravel.com.

Festival will offer full slate of programs and special guests emphasizing water safety and fun

SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER, LA –  A simulated rescue demonstration from the Life Air Rescue Helicopter, a life-saving techniques demonstration from 12-time Olympic Team USA swimmer Byron Davis, and special programs on learning to swim will highlight the 7th Annual Water Resource Festival, scheduled for May 11-12 at the Louisiana Boardwalk in Bossier City. Admission to the festival is free and open to all ages.

The two-day festival kicks off, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Friday, May 11, with “Safe Summer” presentations by the Mayors of Shreveport and Bossier City, along with special guest athletes.  The theme of this year’s festival is “The Red River-Your Natural Resource.”

The festival continues, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., on Saturday, May 12. Presenting organizations include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Aquatic & Wildlife Education Foundation, KTBS-TV 3, the U.S. Coast Guard, and CHRISTUS Sutton Children’s Medical Center. CHRISTUS Sutton Children’s Medical Center is the official sponsor for the Corps of Engineers’ national “Wear It” Life Jacket Campaign, providing free life jackets, while supplies last, to children on Saturday.

Sponsored by the national U.S.A. Swimming Foundation’s “Make a Splash” program, Olympic swimmer Byron Davis will be joined by members of the Shreveport-Bossier Fire Department Dive Team and Ozark Society to demonstrate life-saving techniques in a large outdoor pool provided by Bass Pro Shops at the Louisiana Boardwalk.

A simulated “man-overboard” rescue with the Life Air Rescue Helicopter is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday, with best viewing from the Louisiana Boardwalk just behind the Texas Street Bridge festival activity booths. Participating in the exercise will be members of the Caddo-Bossier Sheriff’s Red River Joint Task Force and the United States Coast Guard.

Partners and sponsors for this year’s event include: Swimming/USA Swimming Foundation; Louisiana Boardwalk; Spirit of Bossier Exchange Club;  Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries; Bass Pro Shops; U.S. Coast Guard; Talk of the Town with Tom Pace; Citizen's Bank; KTBS-TV 3; Bass Life Associates; Kent Sporting Goods; Shreveport Fire Department; Bossier Fire Department; Caddo Parish Sheriff's Department; Bossier Parish Sheriff's Department; Red River Joint Task Force; Life Air Rescue; Shreveport Sail and Power Squadron; U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary; Red River Waterway Commission; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Ozark Society; Northwest Louisiana Fly Fishers; and Louisiana State University-Shreveport.

NOTE TO MEDIA: To coordinate interviews with special guests, please contact Tom Pace at (318) 426-8080 or tompacer@comcast.net.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Diane Capo, Aquatic and Wildlife Education Foundation
(318) 677-2673
Diane Cook, Lead Ranger, USACE
(318) 381-7517

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SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER, LA – The 2012 P.R.I.D.E. Awards Dinner will take place, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Thursday, May 10, at DiamondJacks Casino Resort in Bossier City. Designed to recognize Shreveport-Bossier’s most outstanding and exemplary tourism and hospitality employees, the P.R.I.D.E. Awards are held each year during National Travel and Tourism Week. The acronym P.R.I.D.E. stands for “Proud Residents Involved in Developing our Economy.” Awards will be presented in over thirty categories, ranging from Outstanding Hotel Executive to Outstanding Valet. Awards presentations will begin at approximately 7:00 p.m.

In addition to our region’s outstanding tourism and hospitality employees, P.R.I.D.E. Awards will be presented to representatives of venues, events, organizations and other entities that have helped grow and sustain the convention and tourism industries in our region.

“The frontline and managerial staffs of our region’s hotels, restaurants and attractions are the backbone of our area’s tourism industry,” said Stacy Brown, bureau president. “The P.R.I.D.E. Awards are our way of honoring them for a job well done.”

According to a U.S. Travel Association report entitled “Economic Impact of Travel on Louisiana Parishes,” travel and tourism is a $900 million industry for Shreveport-Bossier, generating an estimated $22 million annually in tax revenues for local governments. Because of tourism, each household located in Caddo or Bossier Parish saves $190. The Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau designates the entire month of May as Tourism Awareness Month. National Travel and Tourism Week will be observed May 5-13, 2012.  

P.R.I.D.E. Awards tickets are $35 each and may be purchased at the door. For more information, contact Kathy Melancon at kmelancon@sbctb.org or (318) 455-0799.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Chris Jay, Public Relations and Social Media Manager
Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau
Office: (318) 429-0658
Cell: (318) 272-1696
cjay@sbctb.org
                                                                        
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Louisiana is gearing up for the celebration of the century as the state marks its 200th anniversary of statehood in 2012. Involving both education and celebration, Bicentennial events are being planned in every corner of the state. For a statewide calendar of Louisiana events or information on planning a memorable visit to Louisiana, visit www.louisianatravel.com.