Louisiana Entertainment Summit Set For March 27

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Economic Development will host the inaugural Louisiana Entertainment Summit on March 27 to engage in-state stakeholders and industry professionals about the many opportunities provided by LED’s entertainment programs. The event will focus on recent enhancements to the state’s entertainment incentive programs that were approved by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. John Bel Edwards in 2017.

“The Academy Award nominations, Sundance Film Festival honors and Grammy awards bestowed last month on Louisiana artists remind us that our creative assets have great value for our state,” LED Secretary Don Pierson said. “The recent improvements to our entertainment programs will further strengthen this industry in Louisiana, encouraging decision-makers in the film and music industries to produce here and to invest more permanently in our state and its people. We invite our stakeholders from throughout the state to attend this first-ever event and discover the opportunities and support available for them.”

The Louisiana Entertainment Summit will take place March 27 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at L’Auberge Casino Hotel in Baton Rouge. Interested parties may register here, and visit the summit event site for details.

Featured speakers will include Pierson, an entertainment industry executive to be announced, and Louisiana Entertainment Executive Director Chris Stelly, who oversees film, digital, music and live performance programs for LED.

The daylong summit also will include breakout sessions with Louisiana Entertainment managers presenting film, digital, music and live performance opportunities in the state, and a panel discussion with representatives of Louisiana companies who are active in those fields. The event will demonstrate the importance of the entertainment sector to Louisiana’s overall economy, with the Louisiana Film & Entertainment Association, a professional trade organization, serving as the summit’s presenting sponsor.

“We look forward to a collaborative discussion on the recent legislative improvements to the entertainment incentives, which bring the stability and predictability needed now and into the future,” LFEA President Trey Burvant said. “These improvements will enhance opportunities for filmmakers, producers, vendors and crew in Louisiana, ultimately increasing the ripple effect of spending from these productions and creating more quality, high-paying jobs. Louisiana remains a premier destination for all things entertainment, especially film, due to our unique locations, permanent infrastructure and talented crew base, which is second to none.”

Louisiana offers a package of incentives uniquely designed for motion pictures, digital interactive and software development projects, sound recording and live performance productions. The film industry alone has generated about $7 billion in motion picture production activity in Louisiana since the modern-era program was launched in 2002. Last year, the state enhanced these programs to create a more sustainable industry, providing opportunities for more permanent investment and job creation in Louisiana’s entertainment sector.

About Louisiana Entertainment
Louisiana is one of the top destinations in the world for motion picture production, digital interactive and software development projects, live performance and sound recording. With state-of-the-art facilities, a wealth of talent, production-friendly communities and a competitive incentive program, Louisiana is the perfect location for the entertainment industries. For more information on Louisiana’s film, digital interactive, live performance and sound recording programs, visit Louisiana Entertainment, a division of Louisiana Economic Development, at LouisianaEntertainment.gov.