Author Archives: Ian Wallis

Geaux Bold Marketing Campaign Wins a Telly Award

Raceland, La. (June 16, 2026) — Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism’s (LCBT) latest marketing campaign, Geaux Bold, has been named a 2026 Telly Award Winner in the Branded Content: General–Travel & Tourism category.

Launched in October 2025, the campaign was created by The Von Mack Agency in close partnership with Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism and Sales & Marketing Manager, Ian Wallis. The initiative celebrates the food, music, festivals, waterways, and unmistakable cultural rhythm that make Lafourche Parish one of the South’s boldest and memorable destination experiences.

From the start, Geaux Bold was built around a clear creative choice: lead with what makes the destination unmistakable. That meant leaning into the region’s real personality instead of softening it into familiar tourism language. The campaign pulls from the energy of local festivals, early mornings on Bayou Lafourche, local dining experiences, swamp tours, and the kind of place-based culture that travelers can feel the moment they arrive.

The campaign was brought to life through a captivating hero video, a mix of digital advertising, social media content, video storytelling, public relations efforts, print materials, and visitor-facing experiences. Its bold visual identity and messaging are also showcased in the newly opened Visitor Center in Raceland and a revamped Cajun Bayou Food Trail. Additional bold elements of the campaign are planned with the rollout of a new Visitor Guide, destination marketing materials, and new wayfinding signage to be installed across Lafourche Parish this fall.

The Telly Awards honor excellence in video and television across all screens, recognizing standout work in branded content, commercials, marketing, social video, digital storytelling, and production. In the General–Travel & Tourism category, Geaux Bold earned national recognition for branded content that brings a destination story to life with clarity and character.

“This award is a reflection of what happens when you trust the authenticity of a place and the people who call it home,” said Ian Wallis, Sales & Marketing Manager for Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism. “Geaux Bold gave us an opportunity to showcase Lafourche Parish exactly as it is, vibrant, flavorful, welcoming, and unapologetically Cajun. We’re honored to see that story recognized on a national stage through the Telly Awards and are thankful to the Von Mack Agency for partnering with us every step of the way from concept through completion.”

Every Detail Tells a Story: Inside the New Cajun Bayou Food Trail T-Shirt

If there’s one thing worth showing off after eating your way through Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, it’s the brand-new Cajun Bayou Food Trail T-shirt. The relaunched food trail features 18 delicious stops, including the new additions of 3 Piers Seafood Market and Lafourche Landing, and that means that visitors have even more ways to experience the bold flavors that make our parish unforgettable. Though the food is the main event, the updated T-shirt that food trail participants can eat and earn their way into has quickly become part of the adventure itself.

The new design is packed with playful nods to the culture, traditions and unmistakable personality of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou. Every detail tells a story …

Take the Shrimp Boat featured in the artwork. It’s a tribute to the hardworking vessels that bring fresh Gulf seafood straight from the water to local kitchens and restaurant tables across the region. Around here, seafood is a way of life.

Then there’s the iconic Lift Bridge, instantly recognizable to locals and a familiar sight throughout the bayou. Unlike the bridges found elsewhere, these structures are uniquely woven into everyday life here, stopping traffic so boats can pass through the waterways below. It’s one of those little things that instantly says, “You’re in bayou country now!”

The Cajun Flag also makes an appearance, representing the pride, resilience and heritage of the Cajun people. It’s a subtle but meaningful reminder that the food trail is about more than meals, it’s also about culture and community.

One of the more unexpected details? The name “Gautreaux” on the side of the boat. Common throughout the parish, the French-rooted surname is a nod to local families and generations of Cajun heritage. It also happens to honor local construction manager Mr. Gautreaux, a key figure who helped create the region’s new visitor center, which opened last year.

And then there’s the undeniable star of the shirt: a Water-skiing Shrimp. If Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou has a personality, it probably looks exactly like this. The quirky crustacean perfectly captures the spirit of our new “Geaux Bold” campaign, a celebration of the adventurous experiences waiting throughout the bayou. Whether you’re bopping on a swamp tour, paddling through scenic waterways or diving fork-first into delicious meals, “Geaux Bold” is all about embracing the fun opportunities found around every corner.

Best of all? You can earn the shirt yourself. Visitors who collect stamps from five of the stops on the trail can score the coveted tee and wear their foodie accomplishment proudly. Come hungry … and maybe leave with a new fashion statement!

Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism Unveils Refreshed Cajun Bayou Food Trail with Two New Stops

Raceland, Louisiana (May 6, 2026) – Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism proudly announced the launch of a refreshed Cajun Bayou Food Trail, featuring new additions including a new Food Trail T-shirt, and enhanced visitor experiences. Two new establishments have also joined the preexisting trail, offering additional options in Central and South Lafourche. Added to the list are 3 Piers Seafood Market in Des Allemands and Lafourche Landing in Golden Meadow – bringing the total number of participating locations to 18.

Louisiana’s reputation as a premier culinary destination is well established, with iconic dishes such as gumbo, jambalaya, étouffée, and boudin reflecting generations of tradition and flavor. In Lafourche Parish, that culinary heritage is rooted in fresh, locally sourced ingredients, time-honored recipes, and a deep sense of community, creating an authentic food experience that continues to draw visitors from across the region and beyond.

In 2018, Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism (LCBT) introduced the Cajun Bayou Food Trail, a curated culinary experience designed to showcase the region’s rich Cajun culture through its cuisine. Over the past eight years, the trail has guided visitors to some of Lafourche Parish’s most beloved dining establishments, with more than 800 passports turned in and over 4,000 meals consumed at local restaurants.          

Visitors can participate in the trail by downloading a map and passport on the LCBT website, by picking one up at the Visitor Center in Raceland, or by stopping in at any restaurant on the trail. After collecting five stamps from participating restaurants, participants are eligible to receive a complimentary Cajun Bayou Food Trail T-shirt, a comfy badge of honor, well-deserved for diving headfirst into the parish’s culinary scene.

Additional updates to the program include refreshed marketing materials, an updated website, and a newly designed map and passport. A redesigned Food Trail T-shirt aligned with LCBT’s current “Geaux Bold” marketing campaign, offers returning participants a new incentive to revisit the trail and dine local again.

According to Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism’s President & CEO Jay Schexnaydre, “The Cajun Bayou Food Trail is one of the top visitor activities in Lafourche Parish, and our organization is thrilled to relaunch this delicious, updated trail for everyone to enjoy. The food trail highlights generations of Cajun cooking up and down the bayou, while delivering an experience that’s personal and full of flavor.”          

Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou invites everyone to “wander off the eatin’ path” and immerse their palate in authentic Cajun cuisine. A full list of participating restaurants can be found below.

3 Piers Seafood Market – 3702 US-90, Des Allemands, LA
Spahr’s Seafood Restaurant – 3682 US-90, Des Allemands, LA
Fremin’s Restaurant – 402 W 3rd St, Thibodaux, LA
Cinclare – 601 W 3rd St, Thibodaux, LA
Politz’s Restaurant – 535 St. Mary St, Thibodaux, LA
Bourgeois Meat Market – 543 W Main St, Thibodaux, LA
Flanagan’s – 1111 Audubon Ave – Thibodaux, LA
Grady V’s – 900 Country Club Blvd, Thibodaux, LA
Spahr’s Downtown – 601 W 4th St, Thibodaux, LA
Bayou Boucherie – 4980 LA-1, Raceland, LA
Kajun Twist & Grill – 616 Crescent Ave, Lockport, LA
Harry’s Poboys – 11914 Hwy-308, Larose, LA
The Balcony – 13550 W Main St, Larose, LA
Spahr’s at the Station – 16816 Hwy-3235, Cut Off, LA
Mommie Jo’s – 15617 W Main St, Cut Off, LA
CherAmie’s Seafood Restaurant – 15628 W Main St, Cut Off, LA
Griffin’s Restaurant – 18629 Hwy-3235, Galliano, LA
Lafourche Landing – 409 N Alex Plaisance Blvd, Golden Meadow, LA

Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Honors Tourism Partners at 2026 Bayou Ambassador Awards Luncheon

Raceland, Louisiana (May 5, 2026) – Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism (LCBT), the destination marketing organization for Lafourche Parish, honored its tourism partners during the 2026 Bayou Ambassador Awards Luncheon held Tuesday at its newly opened Visitor Center in Raceland. The event marked LCBT’s recognition of the local hospitality and tourism industry in celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week, an annual initiative organized by the U.S. Travel Association.

In addition to recognizing its partners, LCBT presented awards to those who went above and beyond in supporting Lafourche Parish’s tourism industry in 2025:

Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism Unveils Wayfinding Signage Project

Raceland, La. (April 8, 2026) – Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism, the destination marketing organization for Lafourche Parish, in partnership with Lafourche Parish Government unveiled plans for a parish-wide wayfinding signage project set to debut this year. Designed to improve navigation and create a more welcoming experience for visitors, the project consists of 164 new vehicular wayfinding signs to be installed across the parish.

The new signs will guide travelers to every city and town in Lafourche Parish while directing both visitors and residents to major tourist attractions, historical sites, boat launches, fairgrounds, and sports parks. In addition, each sign will be color coordinated directly with the exhibits inside the newly opened Visitor Center in Raceland creating a unified signage system.

“Lafourche Parish Government is excited to partner with Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism on the installation of new wayfinding signage across the Parish” said Lafourche Parish President, Mitch Orgeron. “These new vehicular directional signs will guide our visitors to public attractions, parks, historic sites, and boat launches throughout Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou. I look forward to the completion of this exciting project and the continued growth of our tourism sector."

“We are looking forward to seeing our new signs come to life” said Jay Schexnaydre, President/CEO of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism. “This will encourage visitors to explore more of what makes Lafourche Parish a year-round destination and make it easier for first-time visitors to navigate up and down the bayou.”

The initiative stems from the results of a visitor intercept survey led by Randall Travel Marketing that identified insufficient signage and wayfinding as a primary visitor complaint. The effort reflects Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism’s dedication to strengthening community infrastructure and advancing tourism and economic development. Installation is expected to begin in the Fall and continue through 2026.

Celebrate Spring with These Bold Bayou Events!

Here in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, spring isn’t just a season … it’s a full calendar of reasons to celebrate! Parades roll, festival music fills the air, crawfish start boiling and locals find any excuse to gather along the bayou. Grab your calendar (and maybe a bib for the crawfish) and get ready to Geaux Bold! See what’s happening each weekend this spring!

March Into the Season with Parades

Mardi Gras the Cajun Way: Family, Tradition, and Celebration in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou

If you think Mardi Gras is all late nights, packed venues and wild revelry, let us introduce you to a different way to celebrate. In Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, Mardi Gras is less about surviving the party and more about sharing it with friends and generations of family members who’ve been doing it this way for as long as anyone can remember.

We offer a Mardi Gras experience that feels unmistakably Cajun. Parade routes aren’t just places to catch throws. They’re gathering spots where people settle in, turn to their neighbor and resume conversations right where they left off the last time they saw each other … whether that was at a parade last year or at the grocery store last week. Instead of packed streets and all-night revelry, it’s about shared traditions. Locals know how to make a day of it, and they’re sure to share their secrets with any visitor who crosses paths with them. There’s time to enjoy parades, music and our famous Cajun cuisine without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

Throughout the season, the parish is home to parades and celebrations that reflect the heart of Cajun culture. Daytime festivities and family-focused events make our destination ideal for travelers looking to experience Mardi Gras without the crowds, chaos and adult-centric celebrations that are often associated with Carnival celebrations in larger cities. You’ll hear Cajun accents, see longtime traditions in action and feel pride that comes from celebrating something so authentic. This is a place where Mardi Gras isn’t performed ... it’s lived. It’s older generations passing down customs, newcomers learning the ropes, and everyone understanding that the celebration is as much about connection and community as it is about spectacle.

If you’re traveling with your family (or just prefer your Mardi Gras with a little breathing room), this is where you’ll feel right at home! Come celebrate where the culture runs deep and Mardi Gras feels as genuine as the people who call Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou home.

Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism Announces Departure of President/CEO, Cody A. Gray

Raceland, La. (January 28, 2026) – The Board of Directors for Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism (LCBT), the destination marketing organization for Lafourche Parish, has announced the departure of longtime President/CEO, Cody A. Gray who will step down on February 20, 2026. He will leave Lafourche Parish to assume the position of Executive Director for the Columbia County Tourist Development Council in Lake City, Florida.

“Over the past six years, it has been a sincere privilege to lead Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism” said Cody A. Gray. “I have often said that moving to Lafourche Parish was the best decision I have ever made, both personally and professionally, a statement I still stand by today. I cannot adequately express my gratitude for the trust and support throughout my tenure from this community. There truly is no place on earth like Lafourche Parish, and it will forever hold a very special place in my heart.”

Mr. Gray first joined Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism as Director of Sales and Marketing in April 2020 and became President/CEO in December 2020. Throughout his nearly 6 years in Lafourche Parish, Cody led the organization and Lafourche Parish through significant tourism growth amid challenges from the Covid-19 Pandemic and Hurricane Ida. He also played a significant role in the construction of a brand-new Visitor Center in Raceland, the launch of new marketing campaigns to attract further visitation to the parish, and accepted multiple awards and recognitions from state and regional tourism associations on behalf of the work done at LCBT.

Board Chair Marguerite Knight-Erwin thanked Cody for his leadership over the past years highlighting his outstanding role in guiding the Lafourche Parish Tourist Commission through new initiatives and growth.

The Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism Board of Directors will conduct a thorough search to find a new tourism director for Lafourche Parish. For more information on the position, please visit lacajunbayou.com/about/careers.

LOUISIANA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION HONORS LOUISIANA’S CAJUN BAYOU TOURISM WITH 2026 LOUEY AWARD FOR CVB OF THE YEAR

Raceland, LA (January 26, 2026) – The Louisiana Travel Association (LTA) proudly introduced Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism (LCBT) as the winner of the 2026 Louey Award for CVB of the Year at its Annual Meeting in Lafayette, La. In addition, Sales & Marketing Manager, Ian Wallis, was recognized for completing the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy, a unique professional development and leadership program hosted by LTA.

The award which highlights the outstanding work done by a Convention and Visitors Bureau in the state of Louisiana was received by members of the LCBT staff including President/CEO, Cody A. Gray, Sales & Marketing Manager, Ian Wallis, Office Manager/Administrative Assistant, Brandi Hebert, and Chair of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism’s Board of Directors, Margeurite Knight Erwin. To present the Louey Award were former Parish President, Archie Chaisson, III, and President/CEO of Visit The Northshore, Donna O’Daniels.

This year, LTA celebrated excellence in the Louisiana tourism industry by presenting Louey Awards to those who have made significant contributions to promoting and enhancing Louisiana's vibrant tourism landscape. LCBT was recognized for their work throughout 2025 including the opening of a brand-new Visitor Center in Raceland, the launch of the Geaux Bold Marketing Campaign, and the significant progress made toward implementation of new wayfinding signage coming to Lafourche Parish in 2026.

“We are beyond thankful and honored to receive the 2026 Louey Award for CVB of the Year,” said Cody A. Gray, President/CEO of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou. “Our team has worked tirelessly throughout the last year to continually position Lafourche Parish as a year-round tourism destination and we are extremely proud to see our hard work recognized.”

“I am incredibly proud of the recognition earned by our organization and parish,” said Marguerite Knight-Erwin, chair of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism’s Board of Directors. “Through our creative and forward thinking, we continue to spotlight our unique Cajun culture that attracts visitors to Lafourche Parish from around the world.”

Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown Returns to Thibodaux in 2026 with National and International Roller Derby Teams

Raceland, Louisiana (January 14, 2026) – Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism, the destination marketing organization for Lafourche Parish, is set to welcome 20 national and international roller derby teams at this year’s Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown. The premier tournament returns for its fourth year in Thibodaux with a full weekend of competition taking place: February 26 to March 1.

Hosted at the Warren J. Harang Municipal Auditorium on N. Canal Blvd, this year’s tournament features an exciting lineup of new and returning roller derby teams and three divisions of play: Main, Open, and Junior (youth). The event itself is hosted by Red Stick Roller Derby Juniors, the youth roller derby team based in Baton Rouge.

“This year marks the fourth time Lafourche Parish will host the Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown, and its continued growth speaks volumes about the impact this event has on our community,” said Cody A. Gray, President/CEO of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism. “Competitions like this generate meaningful visitor spending that directly supports our local businesses and jobs, while strengthening our parish’s tourism economy. We are honored to welcome national and international teams from across the globe to compete here in Thibodaux, and I invite everyone to join me in extending them a warm Cajun Bayou welcome.”

With 20 teams and competitors coming to Thibodaux, the Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown is growing to become one of the largest sporting events in Lafourche Parish. It is expected to have a notable economic impact again this year. In 2025, hotel room nights in Thibodaux exceeded 500 nights booked with additional visitor spend at local restaurants, shops, and attractions.

Tickets are available for purchase and can be bought as a Single Day Pass or a Weekend Pass. More information about tickets and the tournament weekend can be found at the link below. For vendor/sponsorship opportunities, contact Kaitlyn Estes, Tournament Organizer at [email protected].

https://www.yallstars.com/

2026 Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown Participating Teams:

Main Division:
Fuego Latino
Team Philippines
API Fury
Missouri Roller Derby
Illinois-Iowa Roller Derby
Team Indigenous Rising
Black Diaspora
Jersey All Stars
Team Alaska
Bipolar Rollers
SALAAM Roller Derby
Team Desi

Open Division:
Beast Side Roller Derby
Team Badass
Team Puerto Rico
Team New York

Junior Division:
Red Stick Roller Derby Juniors
FOCO Junior Roller Derby
MARS Junior Beasts
Rampage Junior Roller Derby