Sunshine in the Sunshine

APRIL 2021 By: Macie Morgan, Membership & Communications Coordinator

It was a beautiful morning for an update from our Lieutenant Governor, Billy Nungesser. Our members enjoyed coffee and a delicious breakfast provided by Catering Cajun, while hearing from our Industrial Contractors Council Vice-Chair, John Cassagne, Vice President of MMR Group, followed by an update about Louisiana and how we can recover from the effects of the COVID-19 shutdowns, from the Lieutenant Governor.

The Lieutenant Governor has put plans in place to bring tourists back to Louisiana after 2020 put a halt to our booming tourism industry. His plan, the ‘Sunshine Plan,’ is a four-part plan to increase spending at Louisiana businesses. His first step will be to encourage the “staycations” for Louisiana residents. In this first step, Louisiana residents will spend money at Louisiana businesses (hotels, bed and breakfasts, etc.) to increase the income of our local businesses. The second step would be regional trips (inviting people from neighboring states back into ours), Lt. Governor Nungesser has offered promotions to these tourists, such as, stay three nights and receive your fourth night free. The third step is to promote long haul trips, inviting residents of other states all around the country to come to Louisiana. The final step will consist of international travel, having tourists from other countries come explore Louisiana and all it has to offer. Lt. Governor Nungesser acknowledges that we are not quite ready for the last two steps, but is hopeful to make them happen soon.

Lt. Governor Nungesser has also made other plans to increase the travel to the Sunshine State, including but not limited to, staying in touch with agencies and associations that had to cancel their events in Louisiana in 2020 to hopefully get them to consider Louisiana again for their next events. Along with this, Nungesser has also offered free seafood and local musicians to those that choose to re-plan their canceled event in Louisiana. Nungesser says he is “committed to spending $4 million dollars in every part of the state to give businesses a boost that needed help after the shutdowns.

During the breakfast, ABC Pelican President, David Helveston presented two members with Beam Club awards. Wesley Littleton, 24HR Safety, reached the Presidential Level of the Beam Club which is awarded to individuals who recruit and sponsor a cumulative of 25 new members. Jeremiah Johnson, Bottom Line Equipment was awarded the Merit Plus Level Beam Club award, which is awarded to ABC members who recruit and sponsor a cumulative of 15 new members. Johnson also won Beam Club Winner of the Year Award for 2020. He received this award for recruiting the most members in 2020. We want to thank the Lieutenant Governor and his staff for coming out to speak to our members and another thank you to all our members who joined us for breakfast. Thank you for your continued support of the Pelican Chapter!