Northshore
TangiTourism.com@TangiTourism
Tangipahoa Parish, situated at the junction of Interstate 12 and Interstate 59, is only 40 minutes north of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) and one hour east of Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR). Hammond, the parish’s largest city, is home to Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU), numerous unique event venues, and attractions.
“Tangipahoa is what I call the ‘Crossroads of the South,’” says Emily Matise, director of sales for the Tangipahoa Parish CVB. “Our strategic location provides access to a variety of distinctive meeting venues, offsite options, and guided tours. Also, as a smaller destination in comparison to our neighboring areas, we offer both flexibility and creative solutions for our clients.”
SLU’s Student Union Ballroom accommodates up to 1,000 guests for lectures and 700 for banquets. Another large ballroom can host 900 for lectures and 450 for banquets. Additional ballrooms and classrooms are available for smaller events and meetings, accommodating most configurations.
Tangipahoa hotels with event space include the 97-room Holiday Inn of Hammond, which features 3,000 square feet of event space and can accommodate up to 130 people in its largest space. The 95-room Courtyard by Marriott has 1,445 square feet of event space, including one meeting room. Home2 Suites features 90 rooms and meeting space for small gatherings. Spark by Hilton Hammond opened a new property near Interstate 12 in Hammond.
Covey Rise Lodge and Event Center in Husser offers 70 overnight accommodations and meeting space to accommodate more than 100 guests. The onsite Wesley Restaurant and Bar features chef-driven, farm-to-table experiences and can host up to 400 for receptions and more than 150 for seated events. The Covey Farm staff can also help organize group activities, such as casual lawn games, fishing, farm tours, guided wing-shooting, and sporting clays.
Louisiana’s only commercial tea farm, Fleur de Lis Tea Company in Amite City offers numerous event options in its tea house, including tours, tastings, and hands-on activities. The Global Wildlife Center in Folsom boasts one of the country’s largest free-roaming wildlife preserves of its kind, with more than 2,000 endangered, exotic, and threatened animals from all over the world. Private group tours, safari parties, and other activities are available.
Downtown Hammond boasts more than 45 locally owned restaurants, as well as bars, shops, gathering places, and meeting spaces. The elegant Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts (circa 1928) offers a busy schedule of film showings and theatrical performances and is also available for private events. Dining options include Lighthouse Coastal Brasserie in downtown Hammond and Blackened Brew Restaurant, which features an onsite brewery, theme nights, and other activities.
