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  • Steve Raggio: Co-Owner of Bayou State Pawn and Author of “Heart Talking, Inspiring Poems for the Soul”

    Steve Raggio: Co-Owner of Bayou State Pawn and Author of “Heart Talking, Inspiring Poems for the Soul”
    2025/06/13
    Steve Raggio, co-owner of Bayou State Pawn & Jewelry, joins Discover Lafayette to share the remarkable story of his dual life as a successful business owner and newly published poet. His book, Heart Talking, Inspiring Poems for the Soul, has quickly become a best-seller in its category and has touched hearts across the country. “If I can touch just one person in getting closer to God by reading the poems…it’s worth it to bring joy into their life,” Steve shared. Steve’s journey into the pawn business started unexpectedly. “I was two years into college…and I was looking at ads in the paper and it said manager trainee, no experience necessary…so I pull up to it and it was Big State Pawnshops back then…so I pulled up and I said, uh oh. What? Pawn shop? I said, what the hell? But I used to trade marbles and stuff when I was a kid. Let's try this out.” Eventually, Steve and his brother Jeff opened Bayou State Pawn in 1986 on Johnston Street in Lafayette, later adding a location in New Iberia. “We opened the first store on Johnson Street. Our family members were all supportive. My father cosigned the loan for us to get it started.” Over the years, they built inventory from garage sales, electronics from other pawn shops, and sheer hustle. “We built it up from ground one.” Bayou State Pawn serves everyone: “There are two aspects of the business. You either buy stuff or sell, or you can do a pawn loan, which is where you bring in your merchandise and borrow money, and you come back and pick it up. Jewelry, musical instruments, guns, lawnmowers, bicycles, everything." Yet it’s his book of poems that is stealing the show. Inspired during a time of personal healing while staying at his camp on False River, Steve found that poetry offered him a way to let his emotions out. “These poems just started hitting me in the head. It was like I’d be looking at the water or something, and it would just come to me and I’d write a poem in 3 to 5 minutes.” He adds, “A lot of them have ‘start a new day, make a new start.’ I end up with a lot of them because a lot of people are looking for a new start. It’s never too late.” One short and powerful verse reads:“The sun has come to brighten your day,to shed light as you make your way.Start your path to touch someone’s heart.Bring joy to their life so they can make a new start.” Steve’s reflections on the value of expressing emotions are powerful: “We all hold a lot of stuff in…you just have to get it out, you know, whether it be journaling, whether it be writing…or talking to somebody…once you get it out…it frees you up.” He encourages aspiring writers: “I’ll say go for it…any avenue like this to get what you feel or what you want to say out…it’s a big healing process, because everybody’s going through a struggle or they’re going to go through some kind of struggle.” Heart Talking, Inspiring Poems for the Soul features 175 short poems and is available at https://www.steveraggio.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other retailers. And for those wondering about pawn shop curiosities he has seen through the years? “Elephant tusk. And they came back and picked those up…we had an old Egyptian parchment that came through, and they picked that up, too.” Ultimately, Steve hopes his work leads others toward peace and faith. “If it helps some people get closer to God and then make everybody more kind and compassionate towards each other, this world will be a better place.”
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    1分未満
  • Jude David – Building Legacies Through Business, Stewardship, and Strategic Giving

    Jude David – Building Legacies Through Business, Stewardship, and Strategic Giving
    2025/06/06
    On this episode of Discover Lafayette, we welcome Jude David, managing partner of Final Ascent, a mergers and acquisitions advisory firm that helps mid-market business owners—typically with $5 million or more in annual revenue—prepare their companies for sale and successfully transition for maximum value. But Jude’s passion goes far beyond business mechanics. He’s also a philanthropist and one of the founders of the Catholic Legacy Foundation of Acadiana, a donor-advised fund that enables people of all faiths to support charitable causes in perpetuity—while enjoying significant tax advantages in the process. "People don’t want to plan their succession in life, and they don’t want to plan their succession in business. It’s emotional. It’s scary. And it’s always something they plan to think about 'one day.'" Jude shares stories of helping longtime business owners who’ve spent decades building their companies and are now looking to exit—but often haven’t thought about what comes next. He draws clear parallels between business transition and end-of-life planning, noting that in both areas, far too many people fail to prepare. "It’s shocking how many successful people don’t have wills or estate plans. Even people of great means often haven’t taken the time to protect what they’ve built—or considered how to give back." That’s where Jude’s second passion comes into play: philanthropic giving as part of a business exit strategy. Through smart planning, owners can donate a portion of their company prior to selling, reducing capital gains taxes and simultaneously funding charitable initiatives through a donor-advised fund. "When you're selling a mid market business, there's going to be a substantial amount of taxes to pay. So our clients are constantly looking for ways to avoid those taxes or defer those taxes. There are several strategies you can use if you have ways of offsetting losses against those gains. It can be very helpful if you can write off new assets that you're acquiring against the old assets that you've sold. For instance, if you sell one business and buy a new one in the same year, you can depreciate the assets on the new business against the old business that you sold. There are several other strategies. One that I really like for owners that are charitably inclined is to give to a foundation or other charities. Why does that matter? Well, if you can structure that kind of transaction appropriately, it saves you significant taxes on your sale. That's why I'm involved with Catholic Legacy Foundation." Jude walks us through real-world examples of how this works, explaining how the Catholic Legacy Foundation is helping build endowments that will support Catholic ministries, seminarian education, pro-life efforts, and poverty alleviation—whether the recipient organization is Catholic or simply aligned with Catholic values. “We house the seminarian bursary (scholarship) funds for the Diocese. You can give to support a specific seminarian or the entire class. It’s one of the most direct ways to impact the future of the Church. To get the foundation off the ground, we are taking donations for a Founder's Circle. So we're looking for donations of a minimum of $15,000 for Founder's Circle members. That's $5,000 a year for three years, and the goal is for us to get the foundation to a size in three years so that it never needs another donation again." Jude also reflects on the importance of reducing business owner dependence before sale—a common value driver in M&A. He explains how owner involvement, earnings growth, and recurring revenue models (like those used in HVAC and plumbing industries) all affect valuation multiples. "If a business is built around the owner and you can't pluck the owner from the business, it makes the business a lot less valuable. So if we deal with a business 3 or 4 years before sale, we'll help them to identify all of their roles in the business and t...
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    1分未満
  • Lafayette Regional Technology Council – Tech Leadership That’s Homegrown and Future-Focused

    Lafayette Regional Technology Council – Tech Leadership That’s Homegrown and Future-Focused
    2025/05/30
    In this episode of Discover Lafayette, we dive into Lafayette’s emerging role as a major player in the regional and national tech ecosystem with Ben Johnson and Marcus Brown of the newly formed Lafayette Regional Technology Council. This dynamic group of volunteer leaders are working hard to ensure Lafayette’s deep well of tech talent is recognized and nurtured. Ben Johnson, CEO of Techneaux Technology Services and Chair of the Council, shares his local roots—born in Eunice, raised in Scott and Lafayette—and how his passion for computers and community led him to start Techneaux in his garage in 2010. “We started the company with a unique business model: people over profits,” Ben shares. The company now employs about 180 people across Louisiana, Colorado, and Texas, operating on what Ben calls a model of “distributed capitalism.” Techneaux recently relocated to the old Fontana Center on Kaliste Saloom, which they’ve repurposed into a cutting-edge tech hub. Marcus Brown, a returning guest to Discover Lafayette, brings his entertainment industry background and policy insight to the Council. As the founder of Believe Entertainment and partner in Digital Twin Studios, Marcus has worked to build Lafayette’s capabilities in immersive technology and virtual production. “We want to define what technology is—and who is a tech person,” he notes. His work has also included integrating immersive technologies in local education through the Do It Greener Foundation. A Council Rooted in Community and Data The Council was born from a leadership exchange trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan, which inspired local leaders to create a similar tech initiative back home. “We realized Lafayette has world-class tech companies that even we weren’t fully aware of,” Ben said. Early supporters include One Acadiana, LEDA, UL Lafayette, LFT Fiber, and leaders from companies like VieMed, Noble Plastics, SchoolMint, and S1 Technology. The Council organizes its work into “GEARS”—Get Everything Accelerated and Ready—subcommittees that focus on workforce and talent, marketing and recruitment, networking and knowledge sharing, and policy advocacy. Their first community-wide event, the Idea Collider, will launch in late June, with the goal of gathering ideas and input from the public and then from business leaders to shape actionable initiatives. Creating Opportunity and Retaining Talent One of the Council’s major goals is to retain the exceptional talent emerging from UL Lafayette and other local schools. “When I graduated in 2001, there weren’t real tech jobs here,” Ben said. “Now, we’re working to create a pipeline and make sure the talent knows they can build a career here.” Marcus emphasizes the community’s history of rising to the occasion: “When Disney filmed Secretariat here, our people showed up. The same thing is happening in tech—people want to step up and lead.” As Marcus explains, “We’re trying to reach students early, even before college, to show them they can create tech—not just consume it.” Both men spoke about the importance of giving young people a sense of purpose and place in the tech world, and commended the Louisiana Department of Education for starting the process of recognizing computer science as a foreign language—a powerful shift in thinking. The Role of AI and the Future of Work When asked about the fear of AI taking jobs, both men provided thoughtful perspectives. “AI doesn’t take jobs,” Ben said. “It removes roles so humans can be more creative and impactful elsewhere.” Marcus added, “AI is like a calculator. It’s a tool, and with proper understanding, it can democratize opportunity.” Looking Ahead The Lafayette Regional Technology Council isn’t charging membership dues yet—they want to first prove their value and build momentum. “We want companies and individuals to contribute time, talent, or treasure,” said Ben. “Let’s build this together, and then figure out the right structure.
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    1分未満
  • The Late Robert Daigle – A Look Back at Why He Invested in Upper Lafayette

    The Late Robert Daigle – A Look Back at Why He Invested in Upper Lafayette
    2025/05/23
    Robert Daigle on Why He Invested in Upper LafayetteOriginally recorded in October 2013 /Aired on Upper Lafayette On the Move This episode of Discover Lafayette takes us back to an insightful conversation with the late Robert Daigle, the visionary managing partner of River Ranch Development Company and the developer of the Village of River Ranch, a 320-acre traditional neighborhood development that reshaped residential life in Lafayette. In October 2013, Robert addressed an Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation meeting to share why he and his team chose to invest in the northern part of Lafayette Parish—an area traditionally overlooked but ripe with potential. His message, filled with clarity and foresight, remains strikingly relevant today as growth continues to expand beyond I-10. David Welch, Robert Daigle, Jan Swift, and Lewis Stirling at an Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation meeting in 2013. Robert’s personal connection to Upper Lafayette, having grown up on Louisiana Avenue across from the municipal golf course, sparked his early interest. But sentiment alone didn’t drive his decision. He outlined six strategic reasons that led to the launch of Couret Farms, a smart growth community designed to meet the needs of a modern workforce and lifestyle needs in the northern part of Lafayette Parish: Job Growth – Post-hurricane recovery and shifting insurance priorities led to a surge in businesses relocating north of I-10. Proximity to job centers, including major employers like Halliburton, made Upper Lafayette a natural location for residential development. Real Estate Value – With South Lafayette experiencing saturation and skyrocketing prices, the undeveloped, high, and beautiful land in Upper Lafayette offered both affordability and opportunity. Lack of Competition – As with River Ranch, Daigle sought to create a unique offering. At the time, Upper Lafayette had no smart growth communities, positioning Couret Farms as the only game in town. Community Support – Daigle emphasized the importance of being "wanted." In Carencro, support from Mayor Glenn Brasseaux and a cooperative endeavor to extend utilities exemplified the kind of local partnership he considered essential to success. Access to Retail and Services – Developments flourish when services and shopping are nearby. Daigle cited the Target center and Super 1 Foods as game-changing additions that signaled a tipping point for further investment. Public Education – The long-standing challenge of underperforming schools in Upper Lafayette had been a deterrent. But the winds of change were blowing. Daigle’s commitment to establishing a charter school within Couret Farms showed his belief that quality education is not just a necessity—but a catalyst for community transformation. Robert Daigle breaking ground at Couret Farms, along with Kevin Hawkins and Bobby Hines. Robert closed his talk by urging the community to prioritize education reform, emphasizing that the future of Upper Lafayette hinged on the success of its schools. His legacy continues to inspire development rooted in thoughtful planning, civic cooperation, and long-term community investment. This timeless interview reminds us that true visionaries see not just what is, but what could be—and are willing to take the arrows that come with being pioneers.
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    1分未満
  • Artmosphere Opens Up Under New Leadership – Meet Justin Bennett and his Booking Agent and Sound Engineer, Moose Harris

    Artmosphere Opens Up Under New Leadership – Meet Justin Bennett and his Booking Agent and Sound Engineer, Moose Harris
    2025/05/17
    Discover Lafayette welcomes Justin Bennett, the new owner of Artmosphere, and Anthony Daniels—known to many as Moose Harris—who serves as booking agent and sound engineer for the venue. Moose Harris, Justin Bennett, and Jan Swift at recording Discover Lafayette at RADER. Located at 902 Johnston Street in downtown Lafayette, Artmosphere has long been known as a cultural hub where music, art, and community converge. Now, with Justin at the helm and Moose helping steer the ship, this iconic space is entering a bold new chapter. Justin, originally from Brooklyn by way of Seattle, and his wife Marcela, a talented chef, made their way to Lafayette after the early waves of the pandemic. A former journalist and public information officer for New York City Emergency Management, Justin brings a rare blend of communication savvy and passion for grassroots music culture. His wife, Marcela, runs Lana’s Empanadas food truck—named after their dog!—and previously helped launch the kitchen at Mercy Kitchen. Together, they’ve embraced Lafayette as home and are now pouring their heart and soul into revitalizing Artmosphere. Moose Harris, born and raised in New Iberia and a seasoned music producer, performer, and radio personality, has deep roots in the Louisiana music scene. From his classical and jazz studies under legends like Ellis Marsalis to his frontman days in the Reggae Ska Conspiracy, Moose brings both creative insight and a wealth of experience to the table. Having worked with Artmosphere under its previous ownership, he already knew the venue inside and out—literally holding the keys before Justin ever stepped through the door. What they’re creating together is something special. Gone are the days of Artmosphere being an undefined multipurpose space. "As Justin clearly puts it, this is first and foremost a music venue." A place for curated, intentional nights of music that make sense together—no more scattershot open mic lineups. Under their guidance, Artmosphere is becoming a home for touring artists and a launching pad for local talent. And while the name is slated to change soon, the vision is clear: create a sustainable, artist-respecting space with good music, good food, and good drinks. And about that food—Justin’s East Coast roots are making their mark. From his Italian grandmother’s Sunday sauce to a hearty Irish shepherd’s pie and the promise of Lafayette’s best-poured Guinness, the kitchen is set to impress. Marcela is helping build out the kitchen and train staff, sourcing from local farms to ensure seasonal, delicious offerings. It’s all about quality—from the music to the meatballs. During Festival International, the team soft-launched Artmosphere with eight wildly different events in five days, showcasing everything from hip hop and zydeco to burlesque and R&B. Every act was carefully chosen, every night was intentional. And it’s just the beginning. Moose is already booking shows into the fall, and together they’re building a community around the venue, one great night of music at a time. Soon, a new name will be unveiled along with a new website, including a music blog produced in collaboration with UL Lafayette journalism students. It’s all part of a bigger mission: to make Lafayette a must-stop destination for national touring acts and to elevate the local scene with the respect and support it deserves. We’re grateful for what Justin and Moose are doing—for their commitment to musicians, to our cultural economy, and to downtown Lafayette. It’s time for this. And we’re lucky to have them here. For more, visit Artmosphere’s Facebook page or email benett.management@yahoo.com if you’re interested in performing or getting involved. Stay tuned for the name reveal—we’ll be the first to share it!
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    54 分
  • Celebrating 25 Years of Miles Perret Cancer Services

    Celebrating 25 Years of Miles Perret Cancer Services
    2025/05/09
    In this episode of Discover Lafayette, we honor the 25th anniversary of Miles Perret Cancer Services, a nonprofit that has supported more than 27,000 families in Acadiana over the years facing the challenges of a cancer diagnosis. Joining us are Executive Director, Tim Rinaldi and Community Liaison, Sherry Hernandez, two passionate leaders dedicated to advancing the mission and heart of this vital organization. The organization was founded in honor of Miles Perret who tragically died at the age of eight years of age in 2001 from glioblastoma. From this experience, his parents, Hank and Debbie Verret, had the vision to help others in Acadiana fight, survive and live with cancer with dignity and to have access to the services they may need. Miles's legacy lives on through a mission of compassion. The organization provides 100% free support services—from wigs and nutritional supplements to transportation assistance and wellness programs—without income restrictions. Tim Rinaldi shares his deeply personal journey to leading Miles Perret—rooted in his family’s long-standing ties to oncology care—and how faith, entrepreneurship, and a calling to serve intersected to bring him home to Acadiana. He offers insight into the organization’s commitment to both strategic impact and compassionate care, and how building a sustainable, team-driven culture remains central to his vision. Sherry Hernandez, who has served with the organization for eight years, reflects on the full-circle moment that led her from for-profit public relations to her role at Miles Perret. Her lifelong passion for community engagement and her personal experiences with cancer have fueled her dedication to connecting families with resources—at no cost and with no income verification required. Listeners will learn about the many services offered by Miles Perret, including nutritional supplements, wigs, medical supplies, transportation assistance, and a growing wellness program that includes yoga, Pilates, circuit training, and soon, a teaching kitchen. All services are 100% free to cancer patients and their families. And the monies raised through generous charitable contributions stay right here in Acadiana. We also explore the Games of Acadiana, the nonprofit’s largest and most iconic fundraiser, now celebrating its 25th year. What began as a friendly competition among the Perret brothers as they looked at how to honor Miles' legacy, has evolved into a beloved tradition, including a Birthday Bash Kickoff on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., behind the Bayou Church, followed by a two-week virtual scavenger hunt through the GooseChase app. To celebrate the organization's 25th anniversary, from May 30th to June 14th, ALL of Acadiana will be transformed into a playground with a 16-day virtual scavenger hunt full of fun, adventure, and surprises. Participants can complete missions for a chance to win prizes, including a $10,000 grand prize, all while raising awareness and support for the organization. The green space along Settler’s Trace Boulevard (behind the Bayou Church) will be transformed into a hub of excitement with fun games, engaging activities, and interactive attractions including an obstacle course, inflatable mini golf, and a monster fun jump. Cancer survivors will be honored with an inspiring Survivor Walk and the crowd will celebrate together with a delicious birthday cupcake. Other key topics include: The founding story of Miles Perret, named after Hank and Debbies's son whose legacy lives on in every service offered The organization's decision to forgo government funding to remain nimble and community-focused The importance of monthly recurring donations and employer-based giving programs Plans for a new facility and expanded wellness services, including a chapel and increased access to nutritional support Whether you’ve participated in the Games of Acadiana,
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    44 分
  • John Munsell, Author of “Ingrain AI: Strategy Through Execution

    John Munsell, Author of “Ingrain AI: Strategy Through Execution
    2025/05/02
    John Munsell, CEO of Bizzuka, joins Discover Lafayette to discuss his newly released book, Ingrain AI: Strategy Through Execution, which offers a practical guide for businesses looking to embed AI into their core operations and culture. John Munsell is a true pioneer in the world of AI, having spent over 10,000 hours mastering how businesses can use AI to achieve extraordinary results. His newly released book, Ingrain AI: Strategy Through Execution, offers a practical guide for organizations looking to embed AI into their core operations and culture, presenting actionable frameworks to facilitate effective AI adoption across all levels of a company. John shared the journey of Bizzuka’s evolution from a web development firm into a digital marketing agency and, ultimately, an AI strategy powerhouse. A pivotal conversation with colleague Jared Allardyce prompted him to sell off his prior business holdings and focus exclusively on the emerging opportunities in AI. Recognizing the profound shift on the horizon, John committed himself to studying how AI could genuinely solve market problems. Through weekly CXO AI Roundtables, he taught executives how to analyze AI tools, leading to Bizzuka’s full transformation into an AI training, coaching, and consulting enterprise. "We had been using AI and I thought this was going to be the next frontier. At Bizzuka, we shifted to try to figure out what problem the market wanted solved with AI. So I spent a year studying that and had this thing called the CXO AI roundtable, where every Friday I would teach various C levels what I was doing in certain aspects of AI I would analyze AI note takers or I would analyze different AI tools, graphic design, copywriting, whatever it would be. And eventually I figured out what the problem was that the market wanted solved." John explains that today’s businesses are mostly riding AI “tricycles”—using tools at a surface level—without realizing the enormous potential awaiting them when they advance to higher levels of AI proficiency. To help bridge this gap, John developed the AI Strategy Canvas and a unique system called Scalable Prompt Engineering, enabling businesses to build scalable, repeatable AI frameworks that improve efficiency across departments like sales, marketing, HR, operations, and legal. John’s passion for training the Louisiana workforce led to a key partnership with LSU after meeting with Roy Haggerty, Executive Vice President and Provost of LSU. He now serves as an adjunct AI instructor at LSU, teaching businesses how to develop and execute AI strategy an utilize the AI Strategy Canvas® to help their teams master Scalable Prompt Engineering® to get the best results out of AI with maximum efficiency. The frameworks John developed are now required training for all undergraduates pursuing an AI designation. John emphasizes that while universities often focus on teaching how to build large language models (LLMs), the greater workforce need is learning how to use these models effectively. John Munsell teaches companies to prioritize AI safety, security, and ethics. He cautions against uploading sensitive information into free versions of AI tools without understanding the risk of that data becoming part of public training models. Teaching companies how to safeguard proprietary information is a foundational part of Bizzuka’s AI Skills Builder training, which also ensures employees across various departments learn AI skills customized to their job functions. In our conversation, John detailed how businesses can use different AI models—like Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity—for specialized tasks such as deep research, proposal writing, and sales prospecting. He described how he uses AI note-takers like Fathom to generate highly personalized client proposals, saving significant time while ensuring each proposal reflects the company’s brand voice and the client’s specific needs.
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    1 時間 7 分
  • Lafayette Travel: Celebrating 20 Years of Eat Lafayette & the Culinary Culture of Acadiana

    Lafayette Travel: Celebrating 20 Years of Eat Lafayette & the Culinary Culture of Acadiana
    2025/04/25
    Discover Lafayette welcomes Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission's CEO Ben Berthelot and Jesse Guidry, Vice President of Communications, two of the most passionate advocates for Lafayette’s cultural and culinary identity. “You don’t have to go to a museum to experience our culture – you can be immersed in it. You can eat it, dance with it, and live it." Together, they explore the evolution of the Eat Lafayette campaign, which began over 20 years ago under the tutelage of Charlie Goodson of Cafe Vermilionville. Origniating with just 18 restaurants participating, Eat Lafayette has grown into a powerful initiative celebrating the unique flavors of Acadiana. The conversation dives deep into the importance of supporting locally owned restaurants, especially in a changing economic and tourism landscape. Restaurants wanting to participate in Eat Lafayette can visit https://www.lafayettetravel.com/eatlafayette/registration/ to sign up. Ben and Jesse share how Lafayette has become a destination for food lovers, and how LCVC continues to adapt, from creating searchable dining districts throughout Lafayette Parish on Eat Lafayette's website, to launching an upcoming Eat Lafayette mobile app expected to launch this summer that will spotlight local eateries and experiences for locals and tourists alike to rely upon. "It will be a one stop shop for all locally owned restaurants. It's an initiative that we're going to be launching by way of an app that's layered with some other things that we do with Lafayette Travel. But the goal would be when you download this app, you will have a direct source to locally owned restaurants in Lafayette." Lafayette Travel has established new collaborations such as the Acadiana Eats Festival to support our local restauranteurs. It also engages in year-round culinary promotions as a way to sustain mom-and-pop businesses as cultural ambassadors, as they are keepers of our local tradition. "Partnering with Acadiana Eats Festival is a great benefit in terms of promotion for local restaurants as well as that festival. The restaurants are able to sell their food and make money. We're trying to find different ways to partner with what is already existing in the community and how we can lift those things up. We're going to put our force behind this and our marketing, and leverage KLFY's presence and Gerald Gruening who is known for his passion for locally owned restaurants. That's just one example of some new things that we're doing, partnering with different festivals and other events throughout the year, and developing the new app." Key Topics Covered: The origin and growth of Eat Lafayette Why now is a critical time to support local restaurants How Lafayette’s culinary identity contributes to tourism and economic development The creation of a new app to help users discover local dining by location, cuisine, and occasion Strategies for year-round restaurant promotion Challenges facing restaurateurs today: staffing, rising food costs, and competition The power of community collaboration through events like Festival International Lafayette’s potential as a top U.S. destination Fun personal insights from Ben and Jesse, including hobbies like home cooking, dance, and coaching Visit https://www.lafayettetravel.com/food-drink/local-restaurants/ for a listing of all locally-owned, Louisiana-owned, and national favority restaurants in our community. Notable Quotes: Ben Berthelot: "One of my favorite quotes is by a colleague in Irving, Texas, which has really grown. She says if you build a place that people want to visit, you'll build a place that people want to live. And if you build a place where people want to live, you'll build a place where business wants to be. And if you build a place where business wants to be, then you're back to a place where people wamt to visit. It is a cycle. That's how I think and how I want to lead our organization...
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    46 分