Jeff Davis Parish Tourist Commission approves marketing payments, surplus chairs and $750 co-host fee; actions to be ratified April 8

Sheila Chapman, chairman of the Jeff Davis Parish Tourist Commission, called the March 11, 2025 meeting to order, led the prayer and the pledge and noted the required number of board members were not present for a quorum; she said actions taken at the meeting would be ratified at the commission's next meeting on April 8, 2025.

Despite the lack of a quorum, commissioners moved forward on routine operational and marketing items. Ronnie Petree, an at-large commissioner, moved — and Austin Bertrand seconded — approval of the meeting agenda (which added the marketing-grant final payment) and the February 11 minutes; both motions were recorded as passed unanimously and will be subject to ratification at the April 8 meeting. Kayla Doga moved, and Bertrand seconded, acceptance of the December 2024 and January 2025 financial reports, also recorded as passed unanimously.

The commission approved two event-related payments. By motion of Ronnie Petree, seconded by Austin Bertrand, the body approved a $750 payment to co-host the Swamp STOL event and approved a $500 final marketing grant payment to SWLA Music Jam for the —Squeezebox Shootout—. The commission also voted to surplus and sell extra metal chairs stored in the commission's storeroom and voted to leave existing credit-card holders and limits unchanged until a new tourism director is hired. Minutes note that any promotional materials co-hosted or funded with marketing grants must display the Tourist Commission logo.

Marketing/Communications Director Macey Cormier reported on visitor and marketing metrics. The Gator Chateau reported roughly 2,529 visitors in February 2024 and about 2,627 visitors in February 2025; gift shop sales rose from $8,636 in February 2024 to $10,662.18 in February 2025. Cormier also summarized social media activity across Facebook, Instagram and TikTok (views reported in the range of about 417,600 to 663,700) and described the Compass Media Foodie Focus campaign's six Google ads and an Instagram video ad, which the minutes estimate generated more than 2,500 clicks and about 250,000 impressions.

Chair Chapman reported that the search for a new tourism director is actively underway, with advertisements published and applications received. During public comments, Ronnie Petree thanked Linda LeBlanc and Macey Cormier for their work and Macey Cormier's video for the "JDP Alive in 25" event. Mayor Henry Guinn recommended Jeremy Doucet as the City of Jennings representative; the commission recorded that the Jeff Davis Police Jury will confirm Mr. Doucet's appointment and term at its next meeting.

Petree suggested that Chair Chapman contact Representative Troy Romero about changing the state statute provision the commission uses regarding board members' residency. The commission recorded a calendar item: the next Tourist Commission meeting is scheduled for noon April 8, 2025, at the Tourist Commission administration office; the Swamp STOL event is set for April 11–12, 2025.

The meeting adjourned after a motion by Ronnie Petree and second by Austin Bertrand, with the minutes certified by Chair Sheila Chapman, who signed the record: "I, Sheila Chapman, certify that the above and foregoing constitute the minutes of the meeting of the commissioners of the Jeff Davis Tourist Commission held on March 11, 2025."