Publisher: Building on the past to create a better future

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Building on the past to create a better future

TO OUR VALUED READERS, partners and stakeholders: Thank you.

This month we celebrate 40 years. Forty years of bringing you the stories about the people, places, experiences and opportunities that distinguish this community. Forty years of celebrating the best among us through our events and honors like the Business Awards and Hall of Fame, Best Places to Work, Influential Women in Business and Forty Under 40. Forty years of partnering with community leaders and organizations to make the Capital Region an even better place to call home.

But this milestone also marks the beginning of a new chapter for Melara Enterprises. Our new name reflects the change in ownership; however, our vision remains the same: to be a company of excellence, innovation and impact every day.

Now, it is time for us to be a second-mile organization. Over the past few months, we began crafting a new strategy to meet the future needs of our community head-on. We have set ambitious goals and are passionate about providing more events and resources to build an experience economy. We are going above and beyond to offer new solutions, foster connections and relationships, and continue the distribution of our beloved core products: Business Report, 225 magazine, inRegister and 10/12 Industry Report.

It is because we care deeply about the Baton Rouge region and believe in its potential that we created new facets to our business. The Executive Leadership Academy and the Professional Educators Academy are designed to cultivate rising leaders and impact the next generation. Studio E, our full-service, creative content studio, is a robust partner for companies and organizations wanting to leverage our talent, experience and audiences to share their story in engaging and innovative ways.

As we have for the past four decades, we remain focused on our integrity and credibility. We strive to create healthy discourse to push for transparency and better outcomes that lead us to a place of growth and understanding.

I am in awe of the perseverance and grit this community continues to display in the face of adversity. Melara Enterprises is committed to supporting local businesses, empowering leaders, and throwing on its apron to humbly serve others. Our goal is to be a destination for connectivity and impact, inspiring others to extend their talents to this city we call home.

To that end, I want to acknowledge the extraordinarily talented team I am blessed to work with here at Melara Enterprises. Their energy, their drive, their passion for this community and their unwavering commitment to excellence inspires me every day.

I believe in collaboration and know that the only way we reach the next major milestone is by actively seeking out feedback from the people who got us here. We want to hear from you about how we can better serve you through our publications, events, services and beyond. Thank you for your continued partnership and trust, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas over the coming weeks and months. The best is yet to come!

Respectfully,

Julio Melara

Chairman & CEO | Melara Enterprises

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