In 2007, LOWA members met on August 16-18 in Shreveport, La. Despite the fact that the conference site was more than for hours away for most members, we had a great turnout for the entire three days of the conference.
On Thursday, some of the members who arrived early fished on the Red River with Paul Rossi of Skeeter Boats and the Skeeter Fishing team. Supporting Member Gerald Gaspard helped line these pros up to take our members fishing. Also, Southern Belle Sandwiches sponsored lunch and as usual, the chicken salad was everyone’s favorite sandwich! Bottom line, a good time was had by all!
The Shreveport-Bossier CVB started things out right by hosting a welcoming dinner inside of the new Bass Pro Shops at the Louisiana Boardwalk on the banks of the Red River. On Thursday evening, a bus chartered by the CVGB took the members and their wives from the host hotel, The Holiday Inn Financial Plaza over to the Louisiana Boardwalk for the buffet style dinner. Once dinner was finished, Jarrod Bishop of BPS and Brandy Claiborne of the Shreveport-Bossier CVB welcomed everyone and award some prizes. The Orange Hats were a big hit! After dinner everyone enjoyed roaming around the store shopping and viewing the beautiful fresh water aquarium.
Friday was our seminar day. The first seminar was presented by LOWA member, Chris Ginn. Chris took the seminar attendees through the many steps involved in obtaining superior outdoor photo images. After lunch, Clay Norris, the Senior Marketing Manager (Line/Terminal Tackle/Tools) of Pure Fishing, presented his seminar on New Fishing Products- How are they created and marketed? Chris and Clay’s informative seminars were both excellent and very well received by the LOWA members.
Friday night was our trade show. Due to the rain, the trade show was held in the beautiful atrium of the Holiday Inn. Several supporting members set up tables with their product/service information and handed out samples and literature.
Saturday was the ladies tour and the ladies started their day at the J. B. Johnston Welcome Center, next was the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, then Logan Mansion and the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium. The ladies finished off their tour with lunch at the Glenwood Tea Room.
While the ladies toured Shreveport, the members went to the Shreveport Gun Club for some clay shooting and for the Board Members to hold their Board Meeting. Lunch was jambalaya provided by Louisiana Fish Fry.
Next it was back to the Hotel for the General Membership Meeting and then on to the Awards Banquet for the presentation of the FOY, YJC and EIC awards and raffle.
The Shreveport-Bossier CVB and the Holiday Inn Financial Plaza really did a great job hosting our 2007 Annual Conference and a good time was had by all.