We're not just about business at Travel Exchange. Evening events are where attendees can cut loose and meet up with new and old friends at some of the coolest spots in the host city. Take a look at what we have planned for after hours during TREX ’23 in Shreveport:

Icebreaker | Sunday, Nov. 12

Our friends at Visit Shreveport-Bossier are hosting a Mardi Gras-themed icebreaker party at the Shreveport Aquarium. While you’re exchanging handshakes and hugs with new and old industry friends, you’ll also be among more than 10,000 animals from the Gulf Coast and beyond: sharks, stingrays, jellyfish, and a variety of other marine life. The aquarium will offer us a spectacular view of the Red River and the Bakowski Bridge of Lights, featuring 13,000 LEDs illuminating 2,982 feet of this historical bridge, constructed in 1934. After we’ve explored the aquarium, we’ll enjoy Louisiana-themed, Deep South cuisine from Shaver’s Catering, and then we’ll dance to the music of DJ Walt Hollis. Party starts at 7! Grab a shuttle—sponsored by Motor Coach Family of Brands—at any of the TREX hotels. They start rolling at 6:45.

WHAT TO WEAR

Your Mardi Gras colors: purple, gold, and green!

Dine-around | Monday, Nov. 13, and Tuesday, Nov. 14



FAQ: What is Dine-around, anyway?

You can think of it as a free night to have dinner at a local restaurant, but it’s also an opportunity to make more connections! The term has roots in a time of big budgets, when sellers from a city or state would take a number of buyers to dinner. This practice still takes place, but on a smaller scale. If you’re not hosting or attending an evening gathering, you can organize a dinner of your own with friends, colleagues, and current and prospective clients. The staff at Shreveport's booth (#2301) on the TREX Floor can give recommendations and help with reservations.

WHAT TO WEAR

Keep an eye on the weather here to know what to wear over your dinner attire!

NightCap | Monday, Nov. 13

Following Dine-around, make sure you end up at Surge Entertainment by Drew Brees. That’s the venue for our NightCap event, from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., sponsored by Aon and Surge. All games and activities are open and free for our private party, so buckle up, because you’ve got a lot of fun to pack into two hours:

• Bowling
• Sports simulators (golf, football, baseball, soccer, hockey, and more)
• Arcade games
• Laser tag
• Strike Arena (interactive obstacle course)
• Ropes course
• Dark Ride (we’re afraid to ask)

You’ll have more choices to make at the dessert bar: funnel cake fries with chocolate sauce, bread pudding, Mardi Gras cheesecake bites, mini pecan pies, banana pudding shots, beignets, brownie bites, mini coconut cream pies, and red velvet cake squares. Drinks are free: beer, wine, soft drinks, and water. Because we’ll be scattered throughout Shreveport and Bossier City during Dine-around, everyone needs to find their own way to this event. We’ll take you home, though! Shuttles to TREX hotels start at 9 p.m., sponsored by Motor Coach Family of Brands.

WHAT TO WEAR

Something casual and comfy!

NTA ’23 Farewell Tour | Wednesday, Nov. 15

After four days of appointments, networking, and relationship-making, you can let loose at the 2023 NTA Farewell Tour, which will close out this year's TREX in Shreveport. The theme of the final night party is music history, a nod (or head-bang) to the city's deep musical roots. The 2023 NTA Farewell Tour event will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Shreveport Municipal, which opened in 1929 and has since served as a center of cultural life in Shreveport-Bossier. The venue is best known for its association with the Louisiana Hayride radio broadcast that helped launch Elvis's career; it's where The King was heard saying, "Elvis has left the building." Many other world-famous music-makers have taken its stage over the years, from the Rolling Stones to Jimi Hendrix and Aretha Franklin. The building has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.

For those who also want to make a name for themselves at the Municipal, there will be karaoke at the final night party. We'll also have a surprise special guest!

WHAT TO WEAR

We encourage partygoers to dress as their favorite legendary musician or group, like The Beatles, Madonna, Kiss, and Tina Turner—or their favorite legendary musician with Shreveport ties, like Elvis Presley and Hank Williams (Sr. and Jr).