Outdoor Writers Will Experience Southwest Louisiana
Lake Charles, LA (PRWEB) September 25, 2013 -- The Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) will be hosting the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association (SEOPA) annual convention October 9-12 at the Isle of Capri Casino Hotel. This group of 250 outdoor communicators and corporate members will convene in Southwest Louisiana to learn about the latest trends in the outdoor industry.
Outdoor writers will experience the best of Sportsman’s Paradise on pre- and post-conference media trips throughout the state. From alligator and duck hunts, to fishing or paddling in our bountiful bayous, the journalists are sure leave with fond memories and story ideas.
“Our region is thriving, and we have a perfect opportunity to showcase our natural abundance to these outdoor journalists,” said Shelley Johnson, executive director of the CVB. “Today, there are more outdoor adventure opportunities for visitors to enjoy than ever. We know they will be able to get our message out to their readers, listeners and viewers to encourage them to visit.”
Besides the panel discussions and educational sessions, the conference will include a Tourism Showcase Exhibition, Breakout Day at the Lake Charles Civic Center for demonstrating new products on the market, and a Shooting Day event at the Lake Charles Gun Club to test the latest firearms. Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne will give the keynote address at the opening luncheon of the event. A documentary film on Second Amendment rights, “Firearms vs. Freedom” by Dead Patriot Films, will be screened during the conference.
SEOPA will also feature a hands-on outdoor photography session along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road led by Victor Monsour and Glenn Wheeler. The CVB is sponsoring a cooking demonstration by Poppy Tooker, who will prepare her famous seafood gumbo that beat out Chef Bobby Flay on the Food Network.
Spouses will be offered several area tours while the SEOPA members are enjoying the conference. The CVB will sponsor guided trips along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road and a historic tour that will include visits to area museums and unique Louisiana shopping opportunities.
The CVB has hosted this media group three times in the past, but the most recent conference in Lake Charles was in 2000. In addition to the CVB, other sponsors include the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, City of Lake Charles, Louisiana Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus, Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board, Cameron Parish Tourist Commission, Lake Charles Gun Club, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Louisiana Radio Communications, National Networks and Lake Charles Copy.
For more information on SEOPA, log on to http://www.seopa.org.
Kaylen Fletcher, Southwest Louisiana CVB, (337) 436-9588, [email protected]
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