Public input sought about St. Mary's tourism brand

What do we mean when we say “St. Mary Parish”?
The Cajun Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau is asking for your answer to that question at a town hall meeting at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Patterson Area Civic Center.
Carrie Stansbury, the Cajun Coast director, said in an email that the meeting is being called to “refresh our brand and evaluate our advertising.”
In an interview, Stansbury said the purpose is to ask, “Are visitors getting what we advertised when they get here? Is it still relevant today? Are we promoting to the right people? There’s more social media out there. You want to make the decisions to reach the people you want to reach.”
To help answer those questions, Cajun Coast hired Chandler Thinks. The company specializes in working with smaller convention and visitor bureaus and has been involved in Ascension, Livingston and Lafourche parishes.
Chandler Thinks came up with a Lafourche food tour that proved to be popular.
“It was extremely popular because there were mom and pop restaurants that had been there a very long time,” Stansbury said. “They came in and said, ‘That really needs to be a focus for you guys.’”
That’s one area to explore in St. Mary. The tourism target that will come to mind first for many people is the outdoors. Stansbury said paddle sports are growing in popularity and are generating interest on Cajun Coast’s website.
Jonathan Scully’s rentals at Morgan City’s Lake End Park are an opportunity to expand the area’s appeal. And the No. 1 activity for all visitors is shopping, especially boutique shopping.
And the Bayou Teche Scenic Byway recently received a national designation.
At Wednesday’s meeting, the public is invited to attend and join in the discussion.
Social distancing and masks will be required.