Women In Business: Visit the Northshore

Visit The Northshore

MAKING WAVES IN TOURISM AND COMMUNITY IMPACT

In 2024, Visit The Northshore reimagined how both locals and visitors experience St. Tammany Parish. With bold storytelling, strategic campaigns, and communityforward projects, the team turned a vision into measurable momentum. From eye-catching murals and co-branded retail to a podcast that spotlights local voices and a fully reimagined website, every initiative underscored one thing: this isn’t just tourism. Tourism is transformative.

At the heart of it all was a simple mission: make The Northshore Louisiana’s most inviting and inclusive destination. The payoff? A $1.3 billion visitor spending milestone, deeper community pride, and national recognition for their innovation.

$1.3 Billion Reasons to Celebrate

According to 2023 data received in 2024, St. Tammany Parish welcomed 2.8 million visitors whose spending reached an impressive $1.3 billion - ranking third among Louisiana’s 64 parishes in tourism spending. These dollars aren’t just numbers on a page. They support 13,907 local jobs and $426 million in wages while contributing $127 million in state and local tax revenue.

That tax impact translates directly into household savings - about $1,345 per household. That’s nearly 70% of the average property tax bill in the parish and nearly a third of the average homeowners insurance premium. It’s a clear reminder: tourism isn’t just about hotels and festivals. It’s about real dollars flowing back into local families’ pockets.

Sales That Drive the Economy

Visit The Northshore’s sales team plays a key role in fueling this economic engine. Each year, they send more than 150 qualified leads to local partners, host 40+ familiarization tours, and make over 200 in-person calls to promote the area.

This groundwork brings in events like the Women’s All Pro Tour Northshore Championship, Greater New Orleans Militaria Show, and Northshore Half Marathon. These events not only fill hotel rooms but also generate praise from organizers who often note the team’s unmatched warmth and support.

The 2025 Biddy World Basketball Tournament recently brought 80-90 youth teams from across the globe, including Finland, to compete in St. Tammany. With games at Coquille Parks, Hannan High, and Pelican Park, the tournament was expected to draw up to 5,000 visitors and deliver a major economic boost.

Campaigns that Captivate

Visit The Northshore’s flagship campaign, “Shore To Be,” continued to grow in 2024, helping drive a 10% spike in accommodations spending and a 5% increase in attraction-related dollars. Food remains the biggest draw - accounting for 42% of visitor spending - with over $207 million spent on sit-down restaurants alone.

The Longwoods International Brand Health Assessment showed a 4% increase in ad awareness in key markets and a 7% bump in repeat visitation - outperforming nearby competitors like Baton Rouge and Lafayette. The campaign also generated strong social engagement: Facebook reach jumped 55%, Instagram soared 144%, and Giphy stickers racked up 1.1 million views.

In October, the team launched “Shore To Be the Best Era”, a timely spin on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. The campaign included themed events, Swiftie-inspired local happenings, wrapped rideshare vehicles, Spotify ads, and even friendship bracelets. It paid off in major ways: data showed total visitor spending rose by 69%, restaurant spending spiked by 196%, and hotel occupancy rose 17%.

In 2024, the team took their message to the national stage with the “It’s a Shore Thing” brand campaign, unveiled at Washington Mardi Gras. In collaboration with local economic partners, the campaign boosted visibility for St. Tammany Parish as a united front—an attractive place to visit, live, and invest.

Rooted in Community

Visit The Northshore deepened its local connections through co-branded retail partnerships with beloved local businesses. Swamp Girl Glass Blowing created a oneof-a-kind ornament, Abita Roasting Company released an “Easy Escape” coffee, and Abita Brewing has crafted a Northshore-inspired beer. These products were promoted with playful social media treasure hunts and grassroots buzz.

They also brought art to the streets, commissioning murals in five towns. In Slidell, vibrant umbrellas set the stage for Instagram moments. Covington’s Art House features an underwater theme, while Abita Springs’ mural adds flair to the Tammany Trace. A new mural has recently been completed in Mandeville, with the Madisonville mural expected to be completed in the near future.

To build even more momentum, the team launched Easy Escape Insiders, a network of volunteer content creators who promote local gems through blogs, reels, and social storytelling. These authentic voices expand reach and build pride from the inside out.

A standout initiative in 2024 was the debut of All The Waves, Visit The Northshore’s original podcast. Produced in partnership with Northshore Media Group, the podcast brings local stories to life - featuring musicians, chefs, business owners, and more.

With nearly 2,000 downloads across the U.S., Canada, and Australia, the podcast offers listeners a front-row seat to what makes the Northshore tick. Segments like “Wave Reviews” add a playful, practical edge. In 2025, All The Waves won a a Louisiana Travel Association Louey Award for best tourism campaign in the state.

A Digital Home Redesigned

VisitTheNorthshore.com got a major facelift in 2024, with a new mobile-first layout, rich photography, streamlined navigation, and increased interconnectivity between pages.

The redesign reflects the parish’s identity as “Louisiana’s Easy Escape” and enhances the trip-planning experience for locals and tourists alike.

Engagement metrics are strong, with session times exceeding industry benchmarks. The site now plays a critical role in converting interest into visitation and provides a foundation for digital growth.

Empowering the Hospitality Industry

To uplift frontline tourism professionals, the team developed Shore & Tell University - a new training program focused on service excellence, cultural awareness, and visitor experience. This initiative equips hotel staff, restaurateurs, and event hosts with the tools to deliver exceptional hospitality.

Alongside this effort, Visit The Northshore also launched “Every Wave Welcome,” a visible allyship program aimed at creating inclusive spaces. Businesses that participate display vibrant window decals signaling their commitment to welcoming all. Backed by practical resources and best practices, this initiative is helping weave inclusivity into the fabric of the parish.

Looking Ahead

Visit The Northshore’s momentum isn’t slowing down. In 2025, the team will launch a comprehensive tourism master plan that charts a course for sustainable growth, improved visitor experiences, stronger community alignment, and even greater economic return.

With a track record of creative campaigns, strategic partnerships, and measurable results, Visit The Northshore is more than a destination marketing organization - it’s a catalyst for economic vitality, community pride, and cultural connection.