Rand McNally/USA Today "Best of the Road" Contest - Lafayette was selected as the "Best Food City" in the United States at a presentation that was held at the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) meeting in New Orleans on July 22. A media campaign has been put into place to salute this effort.

The "EatLafayette" campaign closes on August 15. Advertisements on radio, television, newspapers and social media were in place throughout the campaign. A large portion of this year's "EatLafayette" campaign funding came from the Lafayette Parish BP funds. A cruise giveaway announcement is scheduled to take place August 19 at the KTDY radio station.

Through a cooperative effort with the Lt. Governor's Office and Jeff Davis Parish, Southwest Louisiana CVB and the Houma CVB, a sales mission to Canada took place at the beginning of August. Stops included festivals in Quebec City, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

The Louisiana Bicentennial programming is coming together. Activities will include a kick-off at this year's Festivals Acadiens in October and many other Lafayette Parish activities will follow. The Bicentennial Commission has announced that a Louisiana function will take place on the Capitol grounds on April 28. A number of Lafayette entities will be part of that event.