South Louisiana
LafayetteTravel.com; @LafayetteTravel
Lagniappe is a favorite French Louisiana word often used to describe “a little something extra.” It might also describe Lafayette, says Danielle Tassin, senior sales director for Lafayette Travel.
“Lafayette already has an incredible array of event venues and 5,450 guest rooms to support groups hosting in our city,” Tassin says. “The lagniappe we have, however, is an incredible arts and cultural scene, great food and music, and an international atmosphere. That’s what makes the difference for planners.”
Lafayette’s CAJUNDOME & Convention Center includes a 72,000-square-foot convention center with 37,303 square feet of exhibit space, meeting rooms, and event areas. The adjacent CAJUNDOME Arena seats up to 13,500 people for larger events. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s (ULL) Student Union accommodates up to 1,100 guests and includes a 250-seat theater and several meeting rooms.
Hotels with event space include DoubleTree by Hilton, which has 327 rooms and 18,124 square feet of flexible meeting space to host up to 1,242 people theater style. Hilton Garden Inn Lafayette/Cajundome offers 153 rooms and 2,300 square feet of meeting space. For smaller events, options include Home2 Suites by Hilton Parc Lafayette, Homewood Suites by Hilton Lafayette-Airport, and Holiday Inn & Suites Lafayette North. Downtown’s new Hotel Lafayette offers 83 rooms, 2,500 square feet of event space, a restaurant, and a brewery.
Unique offsite event venues include the Acadiana Center for the Arts, which has a gallery and performance space with four meeting rooms, banquet seating for up to 200, and a total capacity of 435. Vermilionville Living History Museum & Folklife Park has restored historic homes and three modern venue spaces, the largest of which can accommodate up to 350 people. Groups can book the onsite restaurant for events, from cooking demos to social gatherings with live music.
