PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2025

CVB Contact: Sheila Snow
Phone: 318.387.5691
E-mail: ssnow@monroe-westmonroe.org

Family Reunion Gatherings Set to Rake in More than $200k in Ouachita Parish

MONROE-WEST MONROE, La. ― Ouachita Parish is expecting to see an estimated economic impact of more than $200,000 from family reunion gatherings for Summer 2025.

Family reunions normally kick up between the end of May and end of July months in the Twin Cities. For 2025, 15 family reunions are expected to take place across the parish in June and July.

Majority of attendees from family reunions are local or they drive in and stay with family.

“Typically, those that are planning the reunion come in on their own time. From there, I would find out when their reunion is, and how many rooms and what hotel(s) they are utilizing for the family reunion. Once we have that established, we would continue with their needs as far as services go. They are super friendly and great to work with,” said Sales and Event Developer Claire Stapp.

Discover Monroe-West Monroe provides personalized assistance for family reunion gatherings if there are at least 10 more hotel rooms being utilized. DMWM’s Convention Sales department can serve families by offering hands on guidance to make the planning experience a great one:

1. Hotel Leads Service:
A sales representative will send event needs such as meeting space, room requirements, meal functions, etc. to local hotels so they can respond with a proposal on availability, approximate cost, and amenities.

2. Name Badges:
The bureau will provide typed name badges for attendees customized with your logo on them provided names are given two weeks in advance.

3. Welcome Packets:
Each attendee will receive a Twin City ditty bag that will include a Visitors Guide with a map.

Family reunion organizers can download DMWM’s free Family Reunion Checklist to make planning easier.

The scheduled family reunions are expected to create an estimated economic impact of $243,981.97 by the end of the July 2025.


About Discover Monroe-West Monroe

Discover Monroe-West Monroe promotes Ouachita Parish as a destination for leisure travel, conventions, meetings and sporting events, creating a positive economic impact for our local community through increased visitor spending and sales tax collections. For more information about Discover Monroe-West Monroe, visit https://www.monroe-westmonroe.org/