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LAKE CHARLES WEATHER

Visit Lake Charles Creates Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority

Aug 28, 2024 03:11PM ● By Kelsey Swire

LAKE CHARLES, La. (August 28, 2024) — Visit Lake Charles is pleased to announce the creation of the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority (LCRSA). The new division of Visit Lake Charles reinforces its commitment to sports, appealing to event rights holders who seek destinations focused on hosting and promoting sporting and recreational events of all sizes.

“Visit Lake Charles is an established sports tourism leader,” said Kyle Edmiston, president and CEO of Visit Lake Charles. “The creation of the LCRSA further solidifies to sports organizers our commitment to attracting more top-tier events and strengthening partnerships.”

Lake Charles is one of Louisiana’s leading sports destinations, hosting a variety of sporting events, including the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Boxing, and numerous youth events such as Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) Boys Basketball, Swim, Baseball, and Softball Championships, the American Junior Golf Association Lake Charles Junior Championship, and the Southland Conference Basketball Championships. Most recently, it was announced that Visit Lake Charles will host the 2026, 2027, and 2028 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I Women's Basketball Championships.

The LCRSA will collaborate with local, state, and national sports organizations, as well as local venues and facilities, to draw more events to the area. This approach will keep Southwest Louisiana competitive in the sports tourism industry by growing and improving events to ensure operational and financial success.

In addition to his current position as senior vice president of sports at Visit Lake Charles, Eric Zartler will also serve as the executive director of the LCRSA.

“We’re committed to making Southwest Louisiana a powerhouse in the sports tourism world,” Zartler said. “Our goal is to deliver unforgettable experiences for athletes and fans while showcasing the energy and passion of our community.”

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About Visit Lake Charles:

Visit Lake Charles, the official destination marketing organization for Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana, is the only organization in Southwest Louisiana providing advocacy, promotion, and education for the tourism industry. For more information on Visit Lake Charles and things to see and do in Louisiana’s Playground, log on to www.visitlakecharles.org.