LABI has announced several staff additions and changes before the start of the 2024 Legislative Session. “Louisiana is entering into a new era of opportunity, growth and change,” said Will Green, LABI President and CEO. “LABI's LADriven strategic plan is written, but it’s critical that we have the right foundation in place to implement our member company's vision. I’m confident that the team we’ve assembled will do just that, and I’m excited to work with each of these individuals as we enter the next chapter of LABI and our state.” Click here to read more.

Louisiana Economic Development Opens Application Period for 2024 LED Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative

LED’s Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative aims to accelerate the growth of second-stage businesses in rural areas of Louisiana with populations less than 50,000. Participation consists of three components starting with a virtual kickoff retreat that helps to create an overall growth strategy and establish commitment goals. The three monthly virtual roundtables allow participants to discuss and process pressing issues in a confidential environment. The customized Strategic Research engagements will provide business intelligence related to company-specific growth challenges delivered by a team of highly-skilled specialists. Applications will be accepted between April 1 and April 30 for participatory consideration. For more information and eligibility requirements on the program, visit LED’s Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative or contact Johnna Johnson at Johnna.Johnson@La.Gov or (225) 342-4492.

Love the Boot Week is April 20-28! Your chamber and its members can be a part of this state-wide cleanup effort, engaging businesses, nonprofits, government groups, and individuals and families in all 64 parishes. Louisiana's businesses have a vital role to play in preventing litter. Love the Boot Week offers a fun, hands-on opportunity to engage your team and show your commitment to keeping your community clean. Visit lovetheboot.org to organize your own cleanup or beautification event, or sign up to volunteer for one in your area. 

KLB has partnered with LifeCity to conduct three free Business Sustainability Workshops to help businesses and organizations take meaningful actions to be more environmentally responsible. Come learn how small changes in the way you do business can lessen your environmental impact and increase your sustainability efforts. Lunch is provided by KLB, and topics covered include Green Tax Credits and Rebates; Best Practices for Recycling, Litter Abatement, and Energy Reduction; Benefits of Sustainability Practices; and Employee and Community Engagement. Workshop dates and times:

• May 8, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Baton Rouge Area Chamber, 564 Laurel St., Baton Rouge
• June 6, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Tower Plaza 1500 North 19th St., Monroe
• June 13, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., SWLA Economic Development Alliance, the SEED Center on McNeese Campus, 4310 Ryan St., Lake Charles

FREE WEBINAR: Childcare - A Business Issue

Childcare has leaped to the top of many Chamber of Commerce legislative agendas as businesses feel the pinch of a tight labor market that is missing many parents of preschool aged children. Neil Harrington, Research Director for NC Child, an organization working on childcare issues in North Carolina, will provide you with talking points based on national data in support of expanding childcare accessibility, availability and affordability and will share with you innovative strategies being implemented by states across the country.

Join us Thursday, April 25 at 11am EDT. Fill out this form to register and we'll send you the Zoom invite!

Have you been thinking about an investment in coaching / consulting? Are you looking for someone to speak at a business summit or women in business conference? Are you looking for a workshop for your members - CliftonStrengths, Effective Communication, Conflict Management, Time-Management, Understanding Leadership, Team Building for Success, Non-Profit Board Training or another personal / leadership development topic? Are you looking for someone to facilitate your next board, staff or leadership retreat? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I’d love to chat with you. Email me and let’s schedule a time to do that! teri@starfishpartnerships.com

The Chamber Economic Development Board of Directors has announced the promotion of Elizabeth Istre Miller as President & CEO effective March 15, 2024. Miller was previously named as interim following former president and CEO, Megan M. Duhon’s, departure on January 31. 

The Chamber is pleased to announce the 17th Annual Golf Classic to be held Friday, April 12th at Bayou Bend Country Club in Crowley. The tournament will consist of 18 holes of golf for teams of three. There will be both individual and team prizes at the end of the tournament.

The Chamber is honored to announce the Acadia Parish Honors Banquet on May 9, 2024 at 6 PM at The Grand Opera House of the South in Crowley, LA. In conjunction with the event, the Chamber will award Business of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year, and seven Outstanding Young Citizens from each high school in Acadia Parish.

Chamber Vice President of Communications and Public Policy Jessica Hemingway participated in the U.S. Chamber-led Advocacy Training for LACCE members on March 7. Jessica joined U. S. Chamber SW/SC Region Vice President Monique Thierry on the session How to Build a Government Affairs program to help fellow Louisiana chambers understand ways they could get their organizations involved in advocacy. Feel free to contact jessica@bossierchamber.com for any additional best practices if your chamber is looking to build, rebuild or enhance your advocacy program.

April is Month of the Military Child, where we as a community recognize the service and sacrifices our military children make as their parent(s) serve our country. Each year, the Chamber sponsors a T-shirt contest for the Month of the Military Child. We invite our military children in Bossier schools to participate, encouraging them to design a Purple Up shirt.  On April 19, we encourage you to wear purple to celebrate our military kids! Purple references the joint environment of the military, encompassing all service branches and it combines each branch’s colors into one: the Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard all use shades of blue, the Army uses green and the Marines use red. Bossier is especially proud to wear purple because not only do we have Barksdale Air Force Base located here but all branches of the government except the Coast Guard and Space Force.

Chamber President Lisa Johnson, Vice President Jessica Hemingway and Chairman of the Board Jonathan Reynolds participated in Bossier Day at the Capitol on March 18-19. The Chamber participated for the legislative-led day at the Capitol where 72 leaders from Bossier Parish spent two days hearing from Legislative leaders as well as the new leaders within key state organizations.

Stacy Romero announced her decision to resign from her position as President & CEO of the Chamber effective March 18.

George Swift, the founding president/CEO of The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, has announced his intention to leave his position. Swift began his career in economic development in 2004 as head of the Southwest Louisiana Partnership, which was comprised of elected officials in the five parishes of southwest Louisiana. In 2006, he was instrumental in establishing the SWLA Economic Development Alliance which combined the Chamber SWLA, The Alliance Foundation, and the Partnership into one umbrella organization. He will continue in his role until a successor is named. A search committee will be formed to select a new President/CEO for the Alliance.  

SWLA Alliance Senior Vice President Michelle McInnis will be hosting a virtual get together for Chamber Based Leadership Programs on April 15th at 2:00pm. If your Chamber has a Leadership Program, or would like to start one, please email Michelle at mmcinnis@allianceswla.org to join in on the conversation.

Chamber SWLA and our Business Incubator will be holding our 12th Annual Business Pitch Contest on May 2nd along with other Small Business Week events.

Chamber SWLA and business leaders from our region are planning to visit with our delegation on May 14th Southwest Louisiana in Baton Rouge for SWLA Day at the Capitol and will host a luncheon at the Old State Capitol. Leadership SW Class of 2024 as well as students from The Leadership Center at Family & Youth will attend.

The Chamber began March with their annual Legislative Issues Breakfast. The sold-out crowd heard from Michael Hecht, President & CEO of GNO, Inc., and Will Green, President & CEO of LABI, as they discussed key issues for the 2024 Regular Legislative Session, including insurance and economic development. The panel discussion was led by Ryan Rodrigue, Chair of the Chamber Board of Directors.

The Chamber also hosted an Education Appreciation Reception for Outstanding Teachers in the Jefferson Parish Public Schools System. Dr. James Gray, Jefferson Parish Schools Superintendent, addressed the attendees and thanked them for their commitment and service to the children of Jefferson Parish.

The 2024 annual Work Natchitoches Summit is quickly approaching! The event will be held April 9-10 at the Natchitoches Events Center. Whether you are a student looking to learn more about the Natchitoches job market or a community member looking to pursue a new career, this event will provide wonderful growth opportunities. Save the date and do not miss out!

More than 100 golfers played in the Chamber’s Swinging for Scholarships Golf Tournament held at Money Hill Golf Club in Abita Springs with the foursome from Argo Fine Imports placing first. The tournament raises money for the Chamber’s Scholarship Fund which awards several scholarships to St. Tammany high school seniors planning to attend a Louisiana college. The Scholarship Committee is reviewing the many qualified scholarship applications received. View photos here.

Governor Jeff Landry’s newly appointed Southeast Director for Intergovernmental Affairs J.T. Hannan was introduced during an informal meeting at the Chamber attended by Parish President Mike Cooper and some members of the Parish Council. It also presented an opportunity for Advocacy & Public Policy Committee leadership to further build relationships with the newly elected Parish Council Chairman and some members of the Council.

Chamber board member Mike Saucier with Gulf States Real Estate Services was recently interviewed by Newell Normand on his WWL-870AM morning talk show about building business and industry on the Northshore while maintaining our quality of life. It’s part of the Chamber’s efforts to increase awareness of the thriving Northshore business community in Southeast Louisiana. Click here to listen to the radio interview.

The Chamber will host its international trip to The Very Best of Croatia and The Dalmatian Coast from October 20 to 28, 2024. Take the adventure of a lifetime and travel with us at an amazing value with prices starting at $3,799, including hotels, meals, day trips and airfare from New Orleans. Click here to learn more and reserve your spot.

2024 Annual Convention Registration Now Open

#ACCE24 is one of the most anticipated chamber conferences of the year. The event is scheduled for July 16 - 19, 2024 in Dallas, TX. Winners will be announced for Chamber of the Year and communication awards, sales accomplishments will be recognized and we will celebrate our newest CCEs. CLICK HERE for more information and to register for the event.

Did you know ACCE has resources for your Chamber Board of Directors? Click here for more information.

Registration is open for the 2024 summer sites! We are very excited to welcome you back to Madison, Athens, and Villanova and for another wonderful year! Click here to access registration. 

Are you or someone you know interested in learning more about the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management program? Curious to learn if it’s the right fit? Join Institute staff and volunteers Tuesday, April 23 at 2:00 PM EDT for a one-hour information session. The session will provide a program overview, including the curriculum and faculty, scholarships, sites and dates, and resources, in addition to a Q&A session at the end. Each of the four sites will be represented by the Board of Regents Chair, a graduate of the program and current volunteer. Anyone in the association, chamber, or non-profit industry who wants to learn more about Institute is welcomed and encouraged to join. Click this link to register!