How would you sell Louisiana to new residents? (New Orleans, Baton Rouge: live, stores)

[Louisiana'sLegend2]

Hello its the infamous Louisiana Legend again, Im working on a few business studies and I wanted some input from all the honest and passionate fellow Louisiana natives.

Many people view us only as a places to party and eat good, but is that enough to sway folks to come and live here? Remember many states consider us as old world in comparision so how can we change that? I talked to an old yankee the other day from New England, and he loves the landscape of Louisiana as well as the people in comparision.

So just wonder what would you tell someone to get them to stay here in Louisiana, to work, live, and of course play(but thats easy)

[Innotech]

"you wont find a greater group of people who just enjoy being alive"''

All the festivals and parties and parades and atmosphere lead back to that. People in Louisiana tend to enjoy life and celebrate it in every way they can think of. Its that undying spirit that attracts me to this state. We arent trying to compare themselves to anyone else because we ARENT anyone else. We are Louisiana and there is absolutely no mistaking us for another state.

[hdwell]

couldn't have said it better myself, Innotech. It's the truth.

[Dusty Rhodes]

How would you sell Louisiana to new residents?



Uhhhhhh, by the acre?? ( you don't have to sell the crayfish, they sell themselves )

[Louisiana'sLegend2]

Originally Posted by Innotech

"you wont find a greater group of people who just enjoy being alive.

We arent trying to compare themselves to anyone else because we ARENT anyone else. We are Louisiana and there is absolutely no mistaking us for another state.

Ok I feel you on that, but that can be seen as the obvious, as well as fest and food. But to put emphasis on the fact that we are ourselves and that we are not like any other state.....could that be hurting us in attracting new residents?

Its understood that tourism here is big business because of the food and culture, but what happens when you go out of state and see "Louisiana style this or New Orleans style that"? They already celebrate Mardi Gras in major US markets so why make a big effort to travel way down to Louisiana when the guy who claims he's from Louisiana with flavor reminisent to Louisiana?

Im trying to point out that maybe it would help persuade outsiders that we don't have to be a spot to just visit and leave because we don't have the modern day amenties like trains and and any other average American modern marvel. It would help if we had options besides our own cultures to make new residents feel a lil less out of place.

[WestbankNOLA]

Originally Posted by LOUISIANA'SLEGEND

Its understood that tourism here is big business because of the food and culture, but what happens when you go out of state and see "Louisiana style this or New Orleans style that"? They already celebrate Mardi Gras in major US markets so why make a big effort to travel way down to Louisiana when the guy who claims he's from Louisiana with flavor reminisent to Louisiana?

The only other big market celebrating Mardi Gras in the U.S. is St. Louis. I've never had anything out of south Louisiana labeled "Louisiana style" or "New Orleans style" that even somewhat resembeled anything I'd find in Louisiana. Actually it annoys me when I see people in other states claiming they've eaten "Louisiana" this and "Creole" that, but have never even been to New Orleans.

I honestly don't know how to sell Louisiana outside of N.O. and N.O. sells itself although not necessarily in the best way.

[Innotech]

Originally Posted by LOUISIANA'SLEGEND

Ok I feel you on that, but that can be seen as the obvious, as well as fest and food. But to put emphasis on the fact that we are ourselves and that we are not like any other state.....could that be hurting us in attracting new residents?

Its understood that tourism here is big business because of the food and culture, but what happens when you go out of state and see "Louisiana style this or New Orleans style that"? They already celebrate Mardi Gras in major US markets so why make a big effort to travel way down to Louisiana when the guy who claims he's from Louisiana with flavor reminisent to Louisiana?

Im trying to point out that maybe it would help persuade outsiders that we don't have to be a spot to just visit and leave because we don't have the modern day amenties like trains and and any other average American modern marvel. It would help if we had options besides our own cultures to make new residents feel a lil less out of place.

the problem with that is, what your basically describing are the supercities, which are the only areas with mass transit and train tunnels and subways. Due to the topography of Louisiana, it is impossible to build such structures anywhere south of Alexandria. Also, the other "amenities" are pretty much consisting of a million suburbs. Thats what most "big" cities are these days. Just miles and miles of big box stores and suburbs. If thats what you want Louisiana to become then Im afraid I disagree with you.

[Louisiana'sLegend2]

Originally Posted by Innotech

the problem with that is, what your basically describing are the supercities, which are the only areas with mass transit and train tunnels and subways. Due to the topography of Louisiana, it is impossible to build such structures anywhere south of Alexandria. Also, the other "amenities" are pretty much consisting of a million suburbs. Thats what most "big" cities are these days. Just miles and miles of big box stores and suburbs. If thats what you want Louisiana to become then Im afraid I disagree with you.

Not necessarily committing to that thought just brainstorming but.....

I can agree maybe not the coastal cities due to the geography, but what about Lafayette, I mean they somwhat have a suburban growth. Can that promote growth within its metro in the smaller cities? The problem there is that area is rich in their own indivdual culture so would that kinda limit the persuasion of growth from new residents who don't fancy that culture?

I think northern Louisiana can benefit from that strong suburb lifestyle, I think Shreveport has benefited from that, Bossier City is nothing but that if you ask me.

The struggle up north is we have to respect the majority identity of Louisiana which comes from southern Louisiana. Though that identity is dominantly in southern Louisiana, it is somewhat demanded upon us by tourists to have any kind of traditional a Louisiana presence. But still, other things can be done to sell Louisiana to the rest of the nation. Can we show other cultures some love? Are there any suburbs that cater to foreigners like mexicans and asias? How many business are built around them? What about that New Yorker who wants a new york style pizza every now and then? He can get gumbo in New York, can he get those long hotdogs down here?

My main question might be can Louisiana involve other cultures as the rest of the nation did to promote growth? And can they do so without losing missing a beat on what there doing currently?

[WestbankNOLA]

Originally Posted by LOUISIANA'SLEGEND

I think northern Louisiana can benefit from that strong suburb lifestyle, I think Shreveport has benefited from that, Bossier City is nothing but that if you ask me.

I agree. If I'm not mistaken that is the same thing that is occuring in Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and St. Tammany Parish.

The struggle up north is we have to respect the majority identity of Louisiana which comes from southern Louisiana. Though that identity is dominantly in southern Louisiana, it is somewhat demanded upon us by tourists to have any kind of traditional a Louisiana presence. But still, other things can be done to sell Louisiana to the rest of the nation. Can we show other cultures some love? Are there any suburbs that cater to foreigners like mexicans and asias? How many business are built around them? What about that New Yorker who wants a new york style pizza every now and then? He can get gumbo in New York, can he get those long hotdogs down here?

I feel where you're coming from, but it's not like it isn't demanded upon South Louisiana to sell this stereotypical "Bayou" culture that is more Hollywood than it will ever be the real thing. The real Acadiana and New Orleans are not what most tourists come expecting to see. They just want to get drunk, catch beads, and spot a Cajun with an accordion.

Also you act as if they're aren't ethnic enclaves in Louisiana. South Louisiana has one of the highest Vietnamese and Central American populations around. There are several Asian supermarkets. Just like there are enclaves of Jamaicans, Haitians, Hondurans, Brazilians, West Africans, etc. that demand services to provide goods for them. Mexicans are the smallest subgroup of hispanics here, but business (including the notorious Taco Trucks) are sprouting up to cater to them.

There are several places and hot dog stands where I can get a hot dog. I picked up two wide foldable slices of cheese pizza last night at 1 am from a street corner.

My main question might be can Louisiana involve other cultures as the rest of the nation did to promote growth? And can they do so without losing missing a beat on what there doing currently?

I think we're doing a good job of that as it is. Atleast the southeast corner of the state. Out of what you've mentioned, what is Louisiana really lacking?

[SacalaitWhisperer]

I wouldn't.


Be careful what you ask for.