May 4th Speaker

Monica Hebert will be speaking at the May 4^th meeting. She has 20 plus years of dynamic marketing, promotion, public relations, events and inter-personal management skills.

She has designed and written brochures, newsletters, executive summaries, proposals, news releases, advertising and website copy.

Monica worked as a Health Insurance Information Specialist and Director of Development for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries where she was responsible for all marketing strategies, communications, events, promotions and business development including fundraising, planned giving, capital campaigns, creating policies and procedures.

Co-owner Bob Dawson Music Services she created and implemented marketing strategies to the private sector and the event-conference marketplace where she secured clients such as the Duchess of York, Al Gore, Mikhail Gorbachev, Hillary Clinton, and American Express and contracted with numerous large mid-town (NYC) hotels and conventions centers such as The Marriott Marquis, The New York Yacht, Club, The Yale Club, The Harvard Club, The New York Hilton Convention and Conference Center.

Founder and President: Hedaco Music Company, New York, NY   1996 – 2008 where she negotiated and executed contracts on behalf of clients. She secured product distribution, designed point of purchase retail sales campaigns, negotiate media buys and story placement, supporting tours and national CD release, produced musical recordings, produced video treatments, and conceived, wrote and produced press kits. She provided career development strategies for various arts related professionals and media coaching, and organized and produced artists on tour in performing arts centers, and designed the website.

Executive Director Virginia Arts Presenters:    Roanoke, VA   1992 – 1993 Duties: Provided general management to participating members for their respective venues. Organized annual three-day conferences. Negotiated “block booking” touring fees for members representing 50 venues across the state of Virginia.

Owner and Publisher of PRESENTING! ideas for audience development Quarterly Newsletter New York, NY   1990 – 1993 Duties: Provided vision and leadership. Hired free-lance journalists, designers and photographers. Conducted interviews, wrote and designed layout.  Managed direct mail distribution to 3,000 subscribers via private direct mail list.

General Manager:The Plaza of Roanoke - Salem Shopping Center   Roanoke, VA   1986 – 1990 Duties: Supervised all maintenance and staff including an eleven million dollar renovation project. Secured commercial and retail tenants.  Handled retail sales promotions, tenant relations, public relations, commercial lease marketing programs, as well as commercial lease negotiation and execution.

Communications and Public Relations Coordinator: Florida Christian Center, Jacksonville, FL  Full Care Retirement Center   1986 – 1987 Duties: Edited quarterly news publications. Produced direct mail appeals, fund letters and performing arts road trips for the Florida Christian Center Development staff.

Children's Fun Day

FREE BOOTH SPACE

 

 

The Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau is hosting their annual Children's Fun Day in celebration of National Tourism Week.

 

Cindy and Rebecca Stelly of Bayou Writers Group will host a table at the event on Saturday, May 4, from 10 am to 1 pm. There will be color, activity, and fact sheets as well as a story time. You will have the opportunity to view Rebecca's new book as well.

 

The fair will showcase other fun things for kids to see and do in Southwest Louisiana. Come join us and the Gumbeaux Gator for this fun filled day.

 

Everyone is welcome at the Bureaus' Welcome Center - 1205 North Shore Dr. If you wish to reserve your own table or have other questions about the event, please call 436-9588 or email Melissa Bertrand, Tourist Information Manager at mbertrand@visitlakecharles.org

 

Jambalaya Novel Excerpt Contest

Congratulations to the winners of the Jambalaya Novel Excerpt Contest this past weekend!

Linda Todd tied for third place and Sylvia Ney received Honorable Mention.

April 6 Meeting

Gene Steech, Investigator with Homeland Security, will be discussing "Formation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and its mission."  

He is a 1975 graduate of Rosepine High School and holds a B.A. Degree in Criminal Justice from McNeese State University 1980.

Steech has served as a Detective with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office from 1980-87, a Criminal Investigator with the U.S. Customs Service, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations from 1987 to the present date.

He has been married for 33 years, has two children, and two grandchildren.