THURSDAY - FEBRUARY 13th

We have a fun, and hopefully different, line up of events to show off the Big Easy!
Plan to arrive on Thursday February 13. That evening we will have our “opening banquet” at the Riverview Room at the Jax Brewery, which is about a 10 minute walk from our hotel. Our host is a chef from the New Orleans School of Cooking. This is a fun event that combines New Orleans-Cajun-Creole history along with a cooking demonstration of the local food resulting in a delicious, educational meal for us.

FRIDAY - FEBRUARY 14th

On Friday, February 14, we intend to hold the Board meeting in the morning at the Hotel Monteleone. After the meeting, we shuttle to Mardi Gras World for a catered Valentine’s Day luncheon and a private tour. Mardi Gras World is one of the largest producers of parades floats in the country. We will meet artists and architects who create the floats from the ground up for the various Krewes, or float riders, during Mardi Gras. The operation will be in full swing as we will be there a couple weeks before Fat Tuesday (the end of Mardi Gras).

Friday evening is Valentine’s Day, and so we are leaving it to you and your beloved to sort out your Valentine’s dinner. We will have some 8 top reservations booked at restaurants. However, if you would like a particular restaurant, we suggest you book it now.

SATURDAY - FEBRUARY 15th

On Saturday, February 15, we will board a bus and head west along the Mississippi River to tour Oak Alley Plantation where we will lunch, and then tour Laura Plantation. These plantation tours are different from those you may have experienced in the past as the tour focuses on the lives of the enslaved people who lived there, and the women who owned the plantations.

SUNDAY - FEBRUARY 16th

On Sunday, February 16, we will say our goodbyes and depart. Unless you want to join us for a special add-on day we are calling “Tabasco Day.”

Tabasco Day

Please join us for an optional Add-On Day! On the morning of 02/16/25, Sarah has planned a day trip by bus to Avery Island, the home of McIlhenny Tabasco Sauce Factory. It is a 2.5 hour bus trip each way. This bears repeating, it is a long drive! We will leave early on a chartered bus (don’t worry, with bathroom facility) and have a box breakfast. We will have a tour of the manufacturing facility followed by lunch. There is a whisper in the air that we might meet a special Phantom I Society member while we are there. Next, we will visit Jungle Gardens also located on the McIlhenny property. This botanical garden and bird sanctuary has one of the largest Snowy Egret rookeries which welcomes approximately 200,000 mating egrets. Mid-late February is the beginning of their mating season and hopefully love will be in the air for this outing. On our return we will stop in Morgan City to tour the “Mr. Charlie,” the only offshore oil drilling rig open to the public. 

You can extend your hotel stay at Hotel Monteleone to check out the morning of 02/17/25. The SGA rate is available for this evening. 

IMPORTANT (Action Required!)

If you’re interested in joining us for Tabasco Day, please RSVP by completing the registration form below.

We need a headcount to make this happen as there will be an additional fee to cover transportation, tickets, and food.

HOTEL MONTELEONE

We have a block of rooms reserved at the French Quarter’s most celebrated hotel, the Hotel Monteleone at 214 Royal Street. The negotiated rates are $289 for a traditional king and $299 for a traditional double-double. If you choose to upgrade, please let the booking agent know that your part of Block Code SGA12B so that we get credit for your reservation in our guaranteed block

This is the booking link you need:

Hotel Monteleone - RESERVATION LINK

REGISTARTION FEE

The registration fee is approximately $500 per person or $1,000 per couple, with a slight adjustment if you choose to join the Tabasco Tour. Please complete the registration form by clicking the button below, and be sure to select the box if you’d like to participate in Tabasco Day.

Once registered, we will be sending an invoice for the final amount, which can be paid by card or check.

If you would like more information, please contact either of us.

Sarah Rodhouse - sarah@airquotestravel.com +1(314) 919-5629

Matt Armstrong - matt@mattarmstronglaw.com +1(314) 258-0212

We look forward to seeing you this winter in the Big Easy!