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President and ceo of visit baton rouge retiring after 20 years.

BATON ROUGE - The long-time President and CEO of Visit Baton Rouge, Paul Arrigo, said he will retire in 2022.

Read the full statement below: 

“Throughout my tenure in this industry I’ve been mentored by some the industry’s greatest tourism leaders, Arrigo said. “The dedicated and outstanding staff that I have had the honor of working with through the years has allowed me to accomplish so much in the various roles that I have served in.”

Arrigo recently informed Scott Michelet, Chairman of the Board of Directors of his plans to retire in September 2022. The board members will meet in mid-December regarding their plans for filling the position.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors we are thankful for Paul’s guidance, leadership and vision over the past last two decades, especially over the last two years as this industry has faced its most challenging times. His strategic thinking and planning have helped us get to where we are today,” said Michelet. “The Board will be working together to find the most qualified and best suited person with that will continue to move this industry and Parish forward as a thriving tourism destination.”

Arrigo is a native of New Orleans and proud of his early upbringing in the Gentilly neighborhood. A graduate of the University of New Orleans, he knew early on that a career in the hospitality industry would be long-term. He got his start at the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, better known today as New Orleans & Company. While there, he perfected his sales approach and worked for one of the tourism industry’s most well-respected leaders, Ed McNeill. McNeill would go on to appoint Arrigo to oversee the New Orleans CVB’s first satellite office in Washington, D.C.

Arrigo has achieved impressive accomplishments during his five decades in the tourism industry. In 1997, he relocated from our nation’s capital to Louisiana’s Capital City to serve as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Baton Rouge Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, better known today as Visit Baton Rouge. He also earned one of the industry’s highest achievements, becoming a Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME). In 2002, with the departure of his successor, Leon Maisel, Arrigo became the agency’s next President and CEO. He was responsible for transforming the Baton Rouge area into a tourism destination. During the last 20 years, the city has seen exponential growth in the number of meetings and conventions secured and welcomed, as well as an increase in domestic and international leisure visitors.

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Next year will be a notable year for the agency. Visit Baton Rouge will celebrate its 50th anniversary. Prior to Arrigo retiring, there are plans for an assessment study of the Raising Cane’s River Center. He will oversee the completion of Visit Baton Rouge’s reaccreditation, as well as DestinationNEXT, a scenario model and assessment tool that will help our stakeholders strategically evaluate the city and Parish as a tourism destination. The results will serve as the guide for the agency’s multiyear Strategic Plan.

“This assessment is the only one of its kind in the tourism and business events industry and has been recognized as one of the most significant developments in the management of a tourism destination in recent years to build upon the overall strategy of further developing and enhancing a tourism destination,” said Arrigo. “I’m excited to complete this so that Visit Baton Rouge will be positioned for a successful start and future under the new leadership.”

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People News: Visit Baton Rouge, LVCVA, Destinations International and More Tap New Leaders, Grow Staff

While the U.S. economy may be slowing down, that hasn’t stopped meetings and event-related organizations—particularly destination marketing companies—from hiring fresh talent and placing new and experienced leadership at the helm. Check them out!

Visit Baton Rouge

Jill Kidder , current president and CEO of the Louisiana Travel Association (LTA), the primary voice for Louisiana’s tourism industry, has been tapped to become the new president and CEO of Visit Baton Rouge . Selected by the Visit Baton Rouge Board of Directors June 30, she will replace current President and CEO Paul Arrigo, who is retiring in September. 

Kidder also serves as president and CEO of the Louisiana Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (LACVB) and previously served as executive director of the Alexandria/Pineville CVB.

“The search committee and the board did an outstanding job with the selection process,” Arrigo said. “Jill inherits a staff that is second to none. I look forward to working with her and the staff to make this transition as smooth as possible, and I wish her much success for Baton Rouge.” 

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

Starting in early September, hospitality and meetings industry leader Lisa Messina will join the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as chief sales officer, tasked with leading and helping to grow meeting, convention and trade show sales for Las Vegas and for the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). She joins the LVCVA from Caesars Entertainment, where she was senior vice president of sales, responsible for driving revenue strategy and leading a team of 120 sales directors.

Prior to Caesars Entertainment, Messina served as executive director of intermediary group sales for Hilton Worldwide, in addition to a past leadership role with ConferenceDirect. 

Destinations International 

Destinations International has appointed 15-year tourism industry veteran Gathan Borden as its senior vice president of marketing and communications, responsible for the strategic development and implementation of all marketing and communications efforts designed to advise and facilitate engagement opportunities for partners and members, as well as position Destinations International as an industry thought leader across the globe. He will start his new role Aug. 15.

Currently, Borden is the vice president of marketing at VisitLEX in Lexington, Ky., where he has overseen the advertising, branding, marketing, public relations, social media, visitor services and web strategies for the city of Lexington as it relates to travel and tourism since July 2015. Prior to that, he spent time at Louisville Tourism in various marketing roles. 

Choose Chicago

Twenty-year convention sales professional Dustin Arnheim has joined Choose Chicago as its new senior vice president of sales and services, serving as a key executive member of the senior leadership team. In his new role, Arnheim is responsible for leading a team of 20 sales and services professionals and providing overall leadership of these departments, securing new conventions and meetings at venues throughout the city, including McCormick Place, driving visitation and promoting Chicago to global business travelers and partnering with more than 150 hotel partners to generate hotel tax revenue for the city. 

Arnheim most recently served as Visit Baltimore’s senior vice president of sales and customer experience, and prior to that, was senior director of sales at Visit Indy. He also spent time with Hyatt Hotels Corporation, starting his career in Chicago as a meeting connections sales manager and association sales manager at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. 

INFiLED , a global leader in LED displays, has hired seasoned LED professional Crystal Wu to support its rapidly growing U.S. sales team. Bringing 15 years of experience in the LED display industry to her new role, Wu possesses a combined experience in sales, marketing, customer service and project management in both the rental and fixed install markets. 

Based out of the Los Angeles office, she will work closely with customers to understand their needs and develop the appropriate solutions for their rental/staging and system integration projects.

Visit Salt Lake 

Suzanne Bajek recently joined Visit Salt Lake (VSL) as its new national sales manager for the Northeast region. Bringing more than 30 years of experience in hospitality sales, most recently with Mohegan Sun Resort, Bajek brings a wealth of experience with northeast clientele to her new role. 

A native of Connecticut who currently resides between New York and Boston, two major markets for VSL, Bajek will work alongside Karen Staples, managing director of sales–East Coast as she makes her debut in the destination marketing space.

Cobb Travel & Tourism 

Melissa Legaux , director of trade show sales at Cobb Travel & Tourism , has been appointed the first African American female president of Meeting Professionals International’s (MPI) Georgia Chapter for the fiscal year 2022-2023. In her 15 years of sales experience in the Atlanta hospitality industry, Legaux possesses a solid record of accomplishments and career progression, including receiving MPI’s President’s Award, the highest honor bestowed on a member representing exemplary service and leadership to the chapter.   

A consummate leader, Legaux recently served on the MPI Georgia Chapter Board of Directors while also serving on the MPI Global Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the Women’s Advisory Board.

Leading event marketing and management company, RainFocus , has hired Susan Hanson as its new chief people officer, responsible for leading culture and innovation and driving the company’s next phase of growth. 

A proven leader with more than 20 years specializing in human resources, compliance and privacy, Hanson will support the company’s growth, drive culture and innovation, oversee the people strategy, refine strategic business initiatives and ensure the right talent is in place to continue delivering successful client experiences.

Hanson previously served as vice president of human resources at Provation, initially part of Wolters-Kluwer, where she led talent and succession planning. Prior to that, she was director of human resources and later, compliance and privacy officer at Experian, where she established a compliance program and was the central liaison for internal departments, external business partners and vendors. 

Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) recently promoted Lindsey Raimondi to public relations manager after nearly three years with the organization. In her new role, Raimondi will focus efforts on implementing strategic communications programs to support ACVB’s business plan and manage the day-to-day activities of the PR team. She will be the lead contact for domestic media, leveraging those relationships and opportunities to increase Atlanta’s visibility as a top U.S. travel destination.

A previous summer intern with ACVB, Raimondi has held positions as public relations coordinator at Georgia Aquarium and public relations trainee with the Atlanta Braves prior to returning to the organization as PR specialist. 

YCD Multimedia 

Digital signage platforms leader, YCD Multimedia , has promoted two team members while expanding its global team. The immersive digital experience designers promoted Ido Aviram to general manager and Dina Townsend to vice president of sales and marketing–Americas.

New additions include Roman Koushner as vice president of sales and marketing–EMEA, Randi Tomchin as an inside sales executive for the Americas and Stuart Armstrong and his firm AAG Consulting as an advisory board consultant to help the YCD parent holding company grow through mergers and acquisitions.

ATL Airport District 

The ATL Airport District , the destination marketing organization for the cities of College Park, Hapeville and Union City, Ga., has promoted Kristin Schneider from director of sales to vice president of sales. Bringing nearly seven years of experience promoting and selling the district’s convention and meeting space options, her new role will include expanded responsibilities for promoting its meeting and event opportunities.  

Schneider joined the ATL Airport District team in 2015 as sales manager, quickly rising to senior sales manager and was promoted shortly after to director of sales. She previously served as sales manager at the Georgia International Convention Center.

Have some people news to share? Please send announcements and high-resolution headshots to [email protected] .

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22 Incredible Things to Do in Baton Rouge

New Orleans gets most of the attention when it comes to visiting Louisiana, but Baton Rouge, the state’s capital deserves its time to shine as well. You get a more laid-back city with hints of NOLA’s atmosphere minus the crowds. Baton Rouge is modern, but still has evidence of its diverse culture and roots. It has a distinct mix of Cajun and Creole culture while also being home to LSU, Louisiana’s largest university.

Baton Rouge was founded over 300 years ago. Today it’s full of historic sites, unique museums, a vibrant arts and culture scene, and amazing restaurants and bars. Southern cities have a reputation for being welcoming and serving up great food, and Baton Rouge definitely delivers. If you’re looking to experience the famous Southern hospitality, you’ll find it here.

I’ve spent a good bit of time in Baton Rouge because I have family living in the area, and I lived just a couple of hours away for several years. Quite a lot of my trips to the city revolve around getting to as many good restaurants, cafes, and bakeries as possible. Don’t worry though, I can still guide you to some of the best things to do in Baton Rouge between mealtimes.

If you’ve found yourself planning a trip to Baton Rouge and you’re trying to figure out the best options, then keep reading!

Eat Crawfish

You cannot visit South Louisiana during crawfish season and not try crawfish. While these crustaceans have the deceptively unappetizing nickname “mudbugs,” they are incredibly delicious. Crawfish season typically spans from February to May but can sometimes be longer depending on the weather. You’ll find boiled crawfish offered in restaurants when it’s in season, but even during the rest of the year, many restaurants have dishes like crawfish étouffée that include crawfish.

Willie’s Restaurant is the most popular place to get boiled crawfish. If you’ve never had crawfish before, Willie’s is definitely the place to go. I usually order 3 lbs when I get crawfish which is fairly standard unless you are a big eater or very dedicated to cracking open crawfish. Unless you’ve had practice opening crawfish before, it takes a little extra effort at first.

However, if you’re interested in trying a delicious twist on crawfish, go to Chow Yum Phat, an Asian fusion restaurant. There you’ll be able to get the Chow Style Crawfish, a dish that includes crawfish tossed in ginger butter along with quail eggs, mushrooms, and edamame. It’s only available during crawfish season.

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Go Antique Shopping at Circa 1857

If you enjoy looking through antiques and finding treasures, Circa 1857 is a fun shop to visit. It has a bit of a flea market feel except that every stall is beautifully arranged and filled with items that you might not see anywhere else. You’ll find everything from antique furniture to artwork and vintage glassware. 

Circa 1857 is located in a renovated building that used to house a pharmacy from the 1920s, and it includes more than 30 booths and stalls. While you aren’t going to score any amazing deals except during sales, the pricing on items is fair. Plus, you’re supporting a local business in the community. 

Circa 1857 is also the new location for the MidCity Makers Market. The market takes place once a quarter and gives local artists, painters, bakers, and other creators a place to showcase their goods and reach new customers. 

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Have a Pie at Elsie’s Plate and Pie

Elsie’s Plate and Pie is a cute restaurant serving both sweet and savory pies. Because this is Baton Rouge, there’s a crawfish hand pie and seafood pot pie on the menu. The appetizers like fried okra, boudin cakes, Cajun queso, and pimento cheese are also delicious. 

Of course, in my opinion, the sweet pies are the ultimate star at the restaurant. The apple pie, s’mores pie, and turtle pie are always a good idea. They also have special pies that rotate through the year. Some of them like the cosmic brownie pie sell out quickly, so if something sounds good, try it while it’s still available. 

If you’re interested in trying more than just the pies, Elsie’s also has great plate lunch options. Come hungry to try out the fried chicken, fried oysters, red beans & rice, and brussels sprouts. You won’t be disappointed with anything you try.

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Get a Sweet Treat

Baton Rouge has several great bakeries, but CounterSpace is arguably the best in the city. You can always get amazingly good cookies as well as pies, cupcakes, slices of cake, and other goodies. The selection is impressive, but if you’re having trouble deciding, you can never go wrong with one of CounterSpace’s chocolate chip cookies.

If you plan ahead, you can get some of their take-and-bake cinnamon rolls to have for breakfast in the morning. They also do custom layer cakes and cookie cakes, so if you’re celebrating a birthday or other special occasion while in Baton Rouge, you can order one in advance. 

CounterSpace’s baked goods are also available at several coffee shops across the city. The shop is closed on Sunday and Monday, but you can still try out their offerings at French Truck Coffee, Social Coffee, MJ’s Cafe, or Light House Coffee.

Catch a Game at Tiger Stadium

There’s nothing quite like the spectacle that is LSU during home football games. While there are only a handful of these during college football season, it’s worth participating in the excitement and madness if you can.

Walk through the Parade Grounds to see the serious tailgating that takes place before the game. About an hour and a half before the game starts, watch the football team and the marching band walk down Victory Hill. Watch the pregame show in the stadium and get ready for an intense display of drama and passion (and that’s just from the fans).

The game itself may be more or less exciting depending on how the Tigers are doing that season and which team they’re playing, but the experience itself will be fun. Despite being a graduate of a different SEC school, I’d still highly recommend going to Tiger Stadium if you’re in Baton Rouge on game day. Just don’t tell my alumni association.

Order Shrimp and Grits for Brunch

Shrimp and grits is a classic southern dish. This dish typically includes creamy cheese grits along with shrimp, bacon, onions, and a variety of spices. While it’s popular for breakfast, you can also have it for lunch or dinner if you’d like.

I’ve tried shrimp and grits at a lot of places across the southeastern United States, and so far the best has been at Simple Joe Cafe on Government Street. The cafe is inspired by neighborhood diners from the 1970s and 1980s. Fresh ingredients are prioritized and very few dishes have any additives or preservatives. You can tell just how good the food will be because the small cafe is almost always busy. Somehow a table always opens up just in time for you to be seated though.

Simple Joe’s owner is from the West Coast and didn’t grow up eating grits, which is hard to believe given just how good their shrimp and grits are. Apparently, they tried combining elements from Paula Deen’s recipe and Alton Brown’s recipe to create their own shrimp and grits recipe. It definitely seems to have been successful. Whether you’re already a fan of shrimp and grits or you’ve never had it before, Simple Joe’s is the place to go.

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Get Margaritas at Superior Grill

Louisiana has a reputation for being enthusiastic about drinking, so it’s no surprise that you can find amazing margaritas at the Mexican restaurants in Baton Rouge. Of all those restaurants, Superior Grill has the best margaritas in town.

Superior Grill opened its first location in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1983. The Baton Rouge location opened in 1991 and is still incredibly popular today. Probably because the food is made from scratch there every day. The Superior margaritas are particularly good because they’re made with freshly squeezed lime instead of from a mix. You can get the margaritas to go if you’d like. Just make sure to keep the lid on until you’re no longer driving or in the car.

If you’re looking for somewhere to go at happy hour, Superior Grill is the best place to go. On Sundays, stop by to enjoy the live music during the Jazz Brunch. There’s also live music on the patio on different evenings throughout the week. I’ve heard that the bottomless mimosas at brunch are good, but I have not tried them myself yet.

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Spend an Evening at Electric Depot

For a fun night out, head to Electric Depot. This unique space has a variety of fun entertainment, shopping, and dining for visitors to enjoy.

There’s Red Stick Social, a bowling alley where you can also find live music and good food. You can get dinner at Boru where you can try out authentic ramen created by a chef who trained in Tokyo and New York. If you haven’t tried enough crawfish yet, try out the crawfish mazeman there. You can also visit Sweet Society, an Asian dessert shop. Here you can get a fish-shaped waffle cone of ice cream along with other tasty sweets. You can’t go wrong with any of the flavors, but the watermelon dole whip is particularly good.

Electric Depot is also home to Sweet Baton Rouge, an adorable boutique selling locally-themed apparel. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up buying more here than you can fit in your suitcase for the way home.

See the Collection at the LSU Museum of Art

The LSU Museum of Art is the only art museum in Louisiana’s capital city, and it has 14 open to the public. The museum’s permanent collection contains over 6000 items including everything from a collection of Chinese jade to a collection of Louisiana art. 

The museum also hosts a selection of touring exhibitions that change on a frequent basis. Touring exhibitions sometimes include paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, or photography. You can check the website to see what will be there during your visit. The museum, which is affiliated with the university, hosts lectures and workshops that you might enjoy depending on your interests. 

The museum is located at the Shaw Center for the Arts. Admission to the museum is free for LSU students, faculty, and staff. Afterward, pop into the PJ’s Coffee located in the Shaw Center. The New Orleans-based franchise makes my favorite frozen hot chocolate which is the perfect drink for a place where it’s warm 10 months of the year.

Visit Louisiana’s Old State Capitol

For history buffs, a visit to Louisiana’s Old State Capitol is essential, but even if you aren’t a history fanatic, you’ll still enjoy seeing this unique National Historic Landmark. The building, which was constructed between 1847 and 1852, looks like a medieval fortress on the outside. On the inside, it’s richly decorated with marble, wood paneling, and a stunning set of stained glass in both the main gallery and an overhead skylight. The skylight is made up of 2,054 panes of glass. It is truly magnificent.

The building was damaged by fire during the Civil War, restored in the 1880s, and then abanded when the new capitol building was finished in the 1930s. Today, the building has been restored once again and is now a free museum showcasing Louisiana’s history.

Plan to spend at least an hour and a half admiring the beautiful architecture and browsing the different exhibits. While entrance is free, you should plan to spend a few dollars to see “The Ghost of the Castle” an award-winning theatrical presentation where the ghost of Sarah Morgan, a real woman who lived during the Civil War era shares the history of this remarkable historic building.

Visit Louisiana’s “New” State Capitol

Baton Rouge somehow manages to have two unique state capitol buildings that are worth visiting. The “new” state capitol, completed in 1932, is the tallest capitol in the United States reaching 450 feet tall with 34 floors.

The building is a beautiful example of the art deco design that was popular in the 1930s and is arguably one of the most interesting current state capitols in use in the United States. You can see parts of the building on your own or contact the staff to find out information about guided tours. 

It’s also a great spot for taking photos. You can enjoy the view over Baton Rouge from the observation deck on the 17th floor. While visiting, you can see the parks around the building as well. The gardens are lovely, especially if you happen to visit while the azaleas are in bloom.

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Stroll through the Red Stick Farmers Market

Red Stick Farmers Market is open year-round on Saturdays in downtown and on Thursdays at Pennington. At the open-air market, you’ll find produce that is grown by local farmers. The market has over 50 members who sell fruits and vegetables along with meat, seafood, bread, homemade pies, honey, milk and cheese, herbs, and other local specialty items. 

It’s a lot of fun to see what’s in season, especially since the growing season is so long in Baton Rouge. You’ll find local fruits and vegetables that may not be available where you live. The market is also a great place to pick up some Louisiana wine or jelly to take home with you.

See a Live After 5 Outdoor Concert

During the spring and the fall, the Downtown Business Association puts together a free concert series on Friday nights. Locals bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets to sit on while enjoying the live music. The genres of music change each week, so check out the lineup to see who’s playing during your visit.

There’s a play area for kids, and there are vendors selling food and drinks set up in the plaza. When you’re ready for a break from listening to music, you can walk around the area visiting the nearby shops, restaurants, and bars. It’s a relaxing way to spend the evening. After all, there are few things better than free live music and good food.

Visit the Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center

Step out of the city for a little while to take a scenic walk at the Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center. The 103-acre property hosts natural artifact exhibits and art exhibits. One of the most interesting exhibits is a large collection of vintage carved waterfowl decoys. There are a variety of natural habits you can walk through including a cypress-tupelo swamp and hardwood forests. 

If you enjoy birdwatching, you can have a chance to see a variety of birds that live in the area year-round along with many species that migrate through. While walking along the trails you may also see some of the native wildlife like turtles, raccoons, rabbits, possums, armadillos, and deer. If you’re lucky, you might even catch sight of an otter. Just make sure to bring bug spray with you. Mosquitos are, unfortunately, an abundant part of the local wildlife thanks to the swampy areas.

Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center is dedicated to connecting people to nature and promoting conservation and ecological research. Visiting is a great way to learn more about the unique natural features in the area. 

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Try a Poboy

For an authentic Louisiana experience, you have to get a poboy, and JED’s Local Po’boys is one of the best places in Baton Rouge to try this New Orleans-style sandwich. The French bread comes in fresh daily from Leidenheimer, a New Orleans bakery that’s over a century old, and the seafood comes in fresh locally from the Gulf Coast. 

With such attention to quality ingredients, the food at JED’s is outstanding. When it comes to poboys, I normally stick to the fried shrimp, but the shrimp banh mi poboy is one of the most popular items on the menu. If you aren’t in the mood for a poboy, the catfish basket and gulf shrimp basket are also good choices. You could also just stop by for Happy Hour to enjoy the appetizers and frozen daiquiris at half price.

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Take a Cooking Class – Red Stick Spice Co.

South Louisiana’s signature dishes like gumbo and jambalaya rely heavily on spices, so it makes sense to take a cooking class at one of Baton Rouge’s best spice stores. Red Stick Spice Co is a family-run business where the owners are passionate about unique flavors of home cooking in the region. 

Multiple cooking classes are offered in the demo kitchen each week. Local chefs host the classes so you’ll pick up advice and techniques you might not learn anywhere else. The cooking classes are fun to try as a couple, with friends, or even solo. Some of the most popular classes fill up quickly, so sign up for your reservation as soon as you can.

If you don’t have time for a class, you can still stop by the shop. Besides having 500 different spices, spice blends, salts, and teas available, Red Stick Spice Co also has an olive oil tasting bar and a tea bar where baristas whip up delicious, healthy drinks. For anyone who’s even a little bit into cooking or baking, it’s a fun place to browse and pick up a few specialty items. The staff is very helpful and can guide you to picking out something you’ll love using.

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Browse Local Leaf Gallery

Another interesting local shop in Baton Rouge is Local Leaf Gallery. This Louisiana-based company is the perfect place to pick up handmade items from local makers and artists.

The shop is located in a charming house with a cozy front porch on Caddo Street. Inside you’ll find an eclectic assortment of vintage goods along with handmade goods, art, gifts, and household furnishings. The handmade bath bombs, soaps, and candles are some of the most popular items. I personally love browsing through the Louisiana-themed children’s books because they make perfect gifts for birthdays and holidays.

The owner, Brittany Rouse, is a former English teacher who graduated from LSU and wanted to open a place to support the creative community in the area. She selects all of the products that are available in Local Leaf Gallery. Dozens of local artists are showcased in the shop, and you’ll be able to pick up unique gifts to give to friends and family or, maybe, to keep for yourself.

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Try Louisiana Rum 

For a one-of-a-kind experience, book a tour of the distillery at Oxbow Rum Distillery (formerly Three Roll Estate). This local distillery makes some of the best rum in Louisiana. You’ll learn how the rum is made from its beginnings in the sugarcane field until it reaches your glass.

During the tour, you’ll also have a tasting where you can try out some of the most popular alcohols the company offers. The distillery is located right near downtown, so it’s easy to get to, and there’s a beautiful outdoor seating area where you can enjoy cocktails after your tour is over. 

If you’d rather skip the tour, you can do a flight instead and still get to sample different types of rum. Some days there’s also live music and local food trucks on-site for you to enjoy while you sip your cocktails.

Take a  Day Trip to Avery Island

If you’re going to be in Baton Rouge for several days, consider taking a day trip to Avery Island, where Tabasco Sauce, owned by the Mclhenny family, is made. Even if you’re not a hot sauce enthusiast, which I am not, it’s interesting to see how the process from seed to pepper to bottle happens. You can also eat at the Tabasco Restaurant where the menu has a helpful rating of how spicy each dish is.

Besides touring the Tabasco factory, there are other good reasons for visiting Avery Island. The island, which sits on top of a salt rock deposit, rises above the surrounding flat coastal marshes and has unique, enchanting scenery. Imagine oaks that are centuries old and covered with Spanish moss lining gravel roads. 

You can drive or walk through the Jungle Gardens, a botanical garden and bird sanctuary, located on the island. Edward Mclhenny created the gardens so visitors could enjoy the natural flora and fauna of Louisiana along with his own collections. Among the plants, there are more than 600 varieties of camellias and thousands of azalea plants. You’ll also see the local wildlife, including alligators, peeking out at you as you explore the Jungle Gardens.

Avery Island is about a 1.5-hour drive from Baton Rouge, but it’s worth the drive for the experience.

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Have Cotton Candy or Smores for Dessert at SoLou

SoLou’s name stands for South Louisiana, and this restaurant serves southern comfort food with a fun, modern twist. The newly renovated restaurant is light, airy, and full of Instagram-able corners. 

Unlike some restaurants where the vibe is better than the food, the offerings here manage to outshine the very trendy decor. It’s almost impossible to give recommendations for the best dishes because it’s all good. The one thing you absolutely can’t miss is the zydeco cauliflower. The cocktails are also fantastic, especially the mint julep.

The entire atmosphere is welcoming and fun. At the end of your meal, you’ll have cotton candy to finish off your dinner. If you decide you need a more substantial dessert, try out the tabletop smores. You’ll get to roast your own marshmallows over a flame right at your table.

This is one of the restaurants in Baton Rouge you could easily visit over and over. For the best experience, make reservations in advance to get a seat on the patio.

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Pamper Yourself at Avant Tous

Whether you’re just looking for a quick manicure or are looking to let go of stress with a relaxing massage, Avant Tous is the perfect place to visit. Avant Tous has three locations across Baton Rouge, so you can find one near you no matter which neighborhood you’re staying in.

Besides nails and massages, Avant Tous offers a beauty bar that does make-up applications, a wax bar, a tan bar, a lash bar, and skincare treatments. You can also set up an appointment for a group if you’re with friends or family. If you truly want to relax while on vacation, Avant Tous is a great idea.

Explore the Riverwalk

Riverfront Plaza is located in downtown right on the banks of the Mississippi River. The walking and biking trail takes you along the river. You can enjoy the breeze as you sit in the chairs and watch the boats pass by. 

The Riverfront Plaza also houses a greenspace, water gardens, meadows, and terraces you can explore. Stop by the riverfront dock and overlook for the best views. Sometimes, there are events and performances taking place at the Levee Stage with the Mississippi River levee as the backdrop. 

You can easily spend several hours wandering around the area. Time your visit either first thing in the morning or as the sun goes down in the evening. Besides allowing you to avoid the heat during midday, going in the late afternoon allows you to enjoy one of the best sunsets in Baton Rouge. If you’re hungry afterward, head to Tsunami, a sushi restaurant with a rooftop where you can look out over the river while dining.

Calling Baton Rouge

Just like in Garth Brooks’ song, you might find yourself thinking about Baton Rouge long after you leave. There’s just something about all of the elements of the college town vibe, the South Louisiana culture, the foodie scene, and the area’s history that make it a compelling city. 

While there are plenty of great places to explore in Louisiana, don’t miss out on everything Baton Rouge has to offer. After your first visit, you’ll find yourself ready for a second visit to try out everything you couldn’t get to during the previous one.

Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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Visit Baton Rouge

From Cajun to Creole and everything in between, Louisiana's capital city feels like home to newcomers, visitors, and locals alike. A leader in the CVB industry, Visit Baton Rouge uses Meltwater to help tell the story of their historic, riverfront city beyond Louisiana state lines.

Meltwater Enables Visit Baton Rouge to

Monitor conversations and engage with influencers around the globe

Create and easily share reports demonstrating PR ROI

Get in front of media stories and instantly respond while on the go

Shining a Brighter Light on a Vibrant Culture 

In an effort to reach a younger generation of travelers, Visit Baton Rouge (VBR) needed innovative ways to reach them through marketing and social media efforts. VBR also needed a tool to measure and share their success with the board. 

The tourism industry is fast-paced, and VBR's staff needs to be in the know not only about happenings in Baton Rouge, but any coverage that could affect someone?s decision to visit. In 2016 Baton Rouge experienced difficult times with multiple officer-involved shootings and major flooding that destroyed part of the historic city. While locals gained a sense of unity and hope as they rallied to rebuild, VBR needed to know when a global publication or influencer portrayed Baton Rouge as an unsafe travel destination. They used Meltwater to monitor unfavorable articles and conversations outside state lines and identify opportunities to engage with influencers to reshape the Baton Rouge narrative. 

"What's nice about Meltwater is I can use it at my desk or on the go. News is everywhere, so the more I know about what's going on in and what's being said about our city, the better. Meltwater helps me stay informed and proactive."

Christy Chachere, Communications Specialist, Visit Baton Rouge

New Tools to Reach a New Audience 

When breaking news occurs, the Visit Baton Rouge team uses Meltwater social and traditional monitoring to take action. Regardless of where they are, the team relies on the mobile app to stay ahead of the latest story.

Leveraging Meltwater's expansive global monitoring capabilities, VBR discovered that attractions across Baton Rouge were often mentioned in major international publications. Given the city's French roots, VBR was able to turn unexpected coverage in France into a golden opportunity for connecting with a new audience of travel enthusiasts.

Meltwater Engage allows VBR to proactively insert Baton Rouge into trending social conversations and nurture a new generation of travelers. After each engagement, VBRuses the analytics dashboard to gauge the success of its media strategy and to share these ROI figures with their partners, board, and CEO.

"Our CEO expects our plan of attack almost instantaneously, as breaking news is still happening," says Karron Alford, VBR's Director of Marketing. "Having all the facts right at my fingertips and being able quantify coverage as it happens is crucial." Since taking a data-driven approach to influencer engagement, VBR reported a 30% increase in YoY media coverage, and have set their sights on breaking that record again next year. 

"Meltwater helps us understand our reach and assess the effect a negative article could have on our visitors. Receiving real-time alerts allows us to stay in front of potentially damaging stories, tell our story and reshape the conversation."

Karron Alford, Director of Marketing & Information Technology, Visit Baton Rouge

Meltwater Helps Visit Baton Rouge 

Assess the effectiveness of their pr efforts .

"Our marketing budgets are small, and we have to make sure we use every dollar wisely. Meltwater provides the statistics we need to show what our efforts are doing— if we're reaching the right people, and whether the media portrays us in the best light possible."

— Karron Alford, Director of Marketing & Information Technology 

Engage on all social media channels from a single stream 

"We use Meltwater Engage to see what influencers are saying about Visit Baton Rouge across all social platforms from a single sign on. Having the ability to schedule, post and engage on all of our social media properties while on the go has been a game changer."

— Christy Chachere, Public Relations 

Monitor and influence public sentiment 

"In 2016 the great flood hit Baton Rouge and we had national media attention for two months straight. Through Meltwater we were able to see who was talking about us, their sentiment, and if coverage was scaring people away from visiting. Being able to see sentiment was crucial for us to shape the conversation in a positive light." 

— Christy Chachere, Public Relations

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LSU Football: No. 5 Wide Receiver in America to Visit Baton Rouge

The Tigers will bring in coveted wideout Jaime Ffrench for an official visit, check out campus in June.

• Author: Zack Nagy

In this story:

The LSU football staff continues its hot pursuit of coveted wide receiver Jaime Ffrench as he navigates a busy spring of visits.

After a stretch of unofficial trips to the top programs in America, he's locked in an official visit to Baton Rouge for June 1, sources confirm to LSU Country. On3's Chad Simmons first reported the visit schedule.

Ffrench, the No. 5 wideout in the nation, ranks as a Top 30 prospect in the 2025 cycle with several programs in his ear.

Now, the Tigers will get the first crack at Ffrench with Brian Kelly and Co. receiving the first official visit on the schedule.

The Visit Schedule:

LSU: June 1

Miami: June 7

Tennessee: June 13

Texas: June 21

With Ffrench locked in for an official visit, who else is on LSU's 2025 Wide Receiver Big Board?

The Wide Receiver Big Board:

Dakorien Moore: No. 1 Wide Receiver in America

Moore revealed his pledge to LSU in August of 2023 and has remained firm to his commitment ever since. He's remained locked in with Brian Kelly and the Tigers, but is certainly enjoying the recruitment process.

Now, a trio of schools are looking to flip him away from his commitment to LSU with Texas, Oregon and Ohio State making noise.

Last weekend, Moore traveled up to Ohio State for a visit with the Buckeyes staff, opting not to make the move to Baton Rouge for their Spring Game.

The decision raised eyebrows from some, but Moore cleared the air afterwards, confirming he is "1000% committed" to LSU.

It's clear the Tigers will be on red alert over the next handful of months until Moore puts pen to paper in December.

Kaliq Lockett: No. 2 Wide Receiver in America

Lockett made his way to Baton Rouge last Friday where he was accompanied by Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 quarterback in the country, for a weekend stay.

The coveted wideout remained in town all weekend with sources believing the visit, "went really well" as the Tigers rise up his list.

Now, Lockett will make a return trip to LSU on May 31-June 2 for an official visit where he will be joined by several prized targets, but none bigger than DJ Pickett, the No. 1 cornerback in the 2025 cycle.

We like where Lockett stands here as he continues checking out LSU. It'll be a battle for his services, but the Bayou Bengals are picking up steam.

Caleb Cunningham: No. 3 Wide Receiver in America

LSU already received a visit from  Caleb Cunningham  this spring with more wideouts expected to make their way in town over the next two months, but for the coveted target, it was a productive visit to campus.

The five-star Mississippi native was joined by a handful of the top recruits in the nation as he made his return trip to The Boot.

Cunningham took in a game day experience last fall, and after a positive visit, he's eyeing an official visit to Baton Rouge soon.

A few notes:

Wide receiver coach Cortez Hankton reeled in an impressive wide receiver haul last offseason and looks to be swinging for the fences once again. With a commitment from the top wideout already, and the No. 2 wide receiver set to be back for an official visit, it's clear his formula is working down South.

Moore, Cunningham and Lockett, the top three receivers in the country, all have LSU on their radar as they prepare to navigate an official visit schedule this summer and fall.

The Bayou Bengals will be fending off the Texas Longhorns and Oregon Ducks for Moore's services down the stretch, but his pledge thus far is a major boost for LSU.

Another key note is that LSU already holds a pledge for the No. 1 wide receiver in Louisiana, TaRon Francis. A player who programs covet on the recruiting trail, the Tigers went out and secured his services early.

Other LSU News:

LSU Football: Transfer Targets Brian Kelly and LSU Could Add This Offseason

Transfer Portal Primer: Where Does LSU Football Stand During The Second Window?

The Wide Receiver Big Board: Who is LSU Football Pushing to Land Commitments From?

Join the Community:

Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter:  @znagy20  and LSU Country:  @LSUCountry_FN  for all coverage surrounding the LSU program.

Latest Tigers News

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AI Firearm Detection software now live in some Baton Rouge cameras

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - It’s called ZeroEyes, an artificial intelligence gun detection software. It alerts law enforcement of potential threats, deters crimes, and adds more eyes throughout the community.

Making Baton Rouge safer is the goal the Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Foundation is working on.

“When we hear the names Devin Page Jr. and Allie Rice, we aren’t solely hearing the names of the young lives fallen victim to gun violence, but we hear their names along with actions that contribute to improving public safety,” said Alex Byo with Thirty-Three Strategies.

Those actions include adding an AI gun detection software, called ZeroEyes, to existing security cameras around the parish.

“It’s an identification tool for law enforcement in the event that someone is walking with a long gun or brandishing a pistol,” said Chairman of BR Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Foundation Clay Young.

Here’s how it works. Once a camera detects a gun, staff at an alert center verify the weapon and notify law enforcement within five seconds. The software has been live in almost 50 cameras around the parish for a month now. More will continue to be added through the Page/Rice Public Safety Initiative.

“We’ve installed 11 monitored safety cameras at local hotels and popular tourist attractions, and we look forward to installing many more,” said Jill Kidder, President and CEO of Visit Baton Rouge.

In addition to ZeroEyes, the Baton Rouge Police Department now has access to 200 license plate readers and 200 crime cameras strategically placed throughout the city. Law enforcement said installing more cameras lets them have more eyes throughout the community without having to add more officers or deputies.

“They help us to be more efficient and effective with our patrols and with our investigations,” said Baton Rouge Police Department’s Deputy Chief Neal Noel.

“As crime changes and evolves, we have to do the same with our approach to safety,” said East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux. “Not only are cameras a crime deterrent, but they are also unbiased and unchanging eyewitnesses.”

Community officials say although this is a step in the right direction, they’re asking more neighborhoods and businesses to get involved too.

“This is about enforcement, but we can’t forget investment because we will never arrest our way out of what’s going on,” said Young.

“Let’s expand the numbers and see just how many silos we can tear down in Baton Rouge and get the community working together,” said Byo.

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Cvs health opens new workforce development and community resource center in baton rouge.

Staff specialists to provide comprehensive skills training and job placement, as well as wraparound health care services 

BATON ROUGE, La. , April 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health® (NYSE: CVS) today announced the opening of a new workforce development and community resource center designed to help the Baton Rouge community overcome employment barriers and increase access to local health care services.

Located at 5353 Essen Lane, the facility includes a Workforce Innovation & Talent Center (WITC), which offers comprehensive career skills training and job placement that includes a CVS Pharmacy® mock store, simulated pharmacy environment and authentic, hands-on externships at local CVS Pharmacy locations. It also includes a new Community Resource Center (CRC) supported by Aetna Better Health of Louisiana , a CVS Health company. The CRC provides the public, Aetna Medicaid members and workforce program participants onsite health needs assessments and education, help with navigating their health benefits, access to computers and state-of-the-art teleconferencing, CPR and first aid training and connections to a local network of care providers.

Staffed with a dedicated team of career skills trainers and care navigators from CVS Health, Aetna and workforce community organizations, the combination WITC/CRC marks the first time the company has co-located these critical community resources, bridging the gap between career training and health services that help overcome impediments to stable employment.

"As a leading health solutions company, we know that there is a strong connection between sustainable employment and health and wellness," said Jess Hall , CEO of Aetna Better Health of Louisiana , a CVS Health company. "With the combined resources of CVS Health and Aetna and our network of community partners, we are uniquely positioned to help the people of Baton Rouge access the career skills training and the health and wellness services they need to overcome barriers to employment, stay healthy and motivated and ultimately succeed in their careers."

According to a Louisiana Department of Health report 1 , increased access to employment and career training programs are among the efforts that are significant in improving health outcomes.

"I firmly believe in the power of public-private partnerships to drive positive change and create opportunities for our community. The collaboration between Big Buddy Baton Rouge and CVS Health through the Mayor's Youth Workforce Experience (MYWE) exemplifies this commitment, as it provides invaluable workforce development environments and hands-on job training to our future workforce," said Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome . "By working together, we can ensure that our residents have the skills and resources they need to thrive in today's competitive job market. This partnership not only benefits the individuals involved but also strengthens our local economy and fosters a brighter future for Baton Rouge ."

This summer will mark three years that CVS Pharmacy locations throughout Baton Rouge will serve as host sites for summer externs enrolled in the MYWE program. In collaboration with Big Buddy to source MYWE talent, CVS Health has made it possible for more than 50 Baton Rouge high school students to receive quality afterschool and summer workforce experiences.

"Working at CVS has really helped to strengthen my communication skills, because prior to my externship I was shy, but I've since realized I'm an extrovert," said 16-year-old A'amya Johnson, a MYWE scholar who now works part-time as a CVS Pharmacy retail associate following the successful completion of a 2023 summer externship. "I love everything about my job especially talking to the customers. This opportunity has helped me decide that I want to pursue a health care career."

At the intersection of health care, workforce and education, CVS Health's workforce programming has created pathways to employment in more than 1,150 communities across the U.S. over the past decades. In 2023, in collaboration with federal, state and local agencies, nonprofit, faith-based and career development organizations, the company streamlined access to meaningful employment for more than 1,400 individuals 2 .

About CVS Health CVS Health ® is the leading health solutions company, delivering care like no one else can. We reach more people and improve the health of communities across America through our local presence, digital channels and over 300,000 dedicated colleagues – including more than 40,000 physicians, pharmacists, nurses and nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever people need us, we help them with their health – whether that's managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with their medications or accessing affordable health and wellness services in the most convenient ways. We help people navigate the health care system – and their personal health care – by improving access, lowering costs and being a trusted partner for every meaningful moment of health. And we do it all with heart, each and every day. Follow @CVSHealth on social media.

Media Contact Shannon Dillon , Shannon. [email protected] Mobile: (346) 291-7131

1   https://ldh.la.gov/assets/cphe/resources/BTH-FACT-SHEET.pdf 2 CVS Health 2023 Impact Report Healthy-2030-Impact-Report.pdf (cvshealth.com)

View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cvs-health-opens-new-workforce-development-and-community-resource-center-in-baton-rouge-302127196.html

SOURCE CVS Health

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Get your free welcome guide, get the latest scoop from the red stick blog, president & ceo of visit baton rouge announces retirement.

For Immediate Release: 12/1/2021

Contact: Karron Alford Director of Marketing & Technology (225) 773-7213 [email protected]

Head of tourism agency shares his plans to step down in 2022

BATON ROUGE – Nearly 20 years after assuming the role of President and CEO of Visit Baton Rouge, Paul Arrigo has announced his plans to retire in 2022.

“Throughout my tenure in this industry I’ve been mentored by some the industry’s greatest tourism leaders, Arrigo said. “The dedicated and outstanding staff that I have had the honor of working with through the years has allowed me to accomplish so much in the various roles that I have served in.”

Arrigo recently informed Scott Michelet, Chairman of the Board of Directors of his plans to retire in September 2022. The board members will meet in mid-December regarding their plans for filling the position.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors we are thankful for Paul’s guidance, leadership and vision over the past last two decades, especially over the last two years as this industry has faced its most challenging times. His strategic thinking and planning have helped us get to where we are today,” said Michelet. “The Board will be working together to find the most qualified and best suited person with that will continue to move this industry and Parish forward as a thriving tourism destination.”

Arrigo is a native of New Orleans and proud of his early upbringing in the Gentilly neighborhood. A graduate of the University of New Orleans, he knew early on that a career in the hospitality industry would be long-term. He got his start at the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, better known today as New Orleans & Company. While there, he perfected his sales approach and worked for one of the tourism industry’s most well-respected leaders, Ed McNeill. McNeill would go on to appoint Arrigo to oversee the New Orleans CVB’s first satellite office in Washington, D.C.

Arrigo has achieved impressive accomplishments during his five decades in the tourism industry. In 1997, he relocated from our nation’s capital to Louisiana’s Capital City to serve as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Baton Rouge Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, better known today as Visit Baton Rouge. He also earned one of the industry’s highest achievements, becoming a Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME). In 2002, with the departure of his successor, Leon Maisel, Arrigo became the agency’s next President and CEO. He was responsible for transforming the Baton Rouge area into a tourism destination. During the last 20 years, the city has seen exponential growth in the number of meetings and conventions secured and welcomed, as well as an increase in domestic and international leisure visitors.

Next year will be a notable year for the agency. Visit Baton Rouge will celebrate its 50th anniversary. Prior to Arrigo retiring, there are plans for an assessment study of the Raising Cane’s River Center. He will oversee the completion of Visit Baton Rouge’s reaccreditation, as well as DestinationNEXT, a scenario model and assessment tool that will help our stakeholders strategically evaluate the city and Parish as a tourism destination. The results will serve as the guide for the agency’s multiyear Strategic Plan.

“This assessment is the only one of its kind in the tourism and business events industry and has been recognized as one of the most significant developments in the management of a tourism destination in recent years to build upon the overall strategy of further developing and enhancing a tourism destination,” said Arrigo. “I’m excited to complete this so that Visit Baton Rouge will be positioned for a successful start and future under the new leadership.”

You can find more on the accomplishments during Arrigo’s tenure: Accolades Accrued by President & CEO, Paul Arrigo, CDME Visit Baton Rouge Accomplishments Earned Under Paul Arrigo’s Leadership

About Visit Baton Rouge The mission of Visit Baton Rouge is to increase visitation to and awareness of the Baton Rouge Area, therefore enhancing economic impact. For more information, log onto www.VisitBatonRouge.com to access all Baton Rouge press releases, log onto VisitBatonRouge.com/media/press-releases .

Karron Alford

How to buy Malik Nabers' New York Giants jersey after 2024 NFL Draft selection

The  2024 NFL Draft  kicked off at 8 p.m. ET Thursday night with Round 1. With the sixth overall pick in the first round, the New York Giants selected LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers .

Nabers' dynamic ability with the ball in his hands will likely make him one of the top weapons for the Giants' offense right away in 2024. The LSU wideout had a standout season in Baton Rouge in his final college year with 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns.

2024 NFL Draft preview:  What is the hit rate on positions selected in first round?

Malik Nabers' New York Giants jersey

Nabers will provide starter Daniel Jones one of the best receiving options of the quarterback's career. In a division with many top wide receivers, Nabers will see some of the better talents in the league on a regular bases. Here's where to buy Nabers' Giants jersey.

NFL DRAFT HUB: Latest NFL Draft mock drafts, news, live picks, grades and analysis.

Malik Nabers jersey: Buy a Malik Nabers' New York Giants jersey through Fanatics

2024 NFL Draft schedule

Thursday, April 25:  Round 1 started at 8 p.m. ET

Friday, April 26:  Round 2 and Round 3 start at 7 p.m. ET

Saturday, April 27:  Round 4 - Round 7 starts at 12 p.m. ET

NFL draft order 2024:  Where every team picks over seven rounds, 257 picks

How to watch the 2024 NFL Draft

• TV channels : ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
• Streaming : ESPN+, NFL+,  Fubo (free trial)

How to watch:  Catch the NFL Draft with an ESPN+ subscription

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