ARTICLE

Date ArticleType
2/25/2015 Media Releases
Chamber Announces "Spotlight on New Orleans" with Anna Jacyszyn

 

Chamber Announces

“Spotlight on New Orleans”

with Anna Jacyszyn

 Kelowna, February 24, 2015:  Caroline Grover, CEO of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, announced today that the Kelowna Chamber is going south with its next “Travel & Learn” program – to fabulous New Orleans.  The trip departs Kelowna Monday October 12, 2015, and returns Friday October 16.

 “This is the fourth trip in our popular ‘Travel & Learn’ Program where we host trips for our members and non-members alike,” said Grover.  “We’ve been to China and Italy – and are returning to China this April with 100 travelers.”

 “We thought New Orleans would be great fun,” said Grover.  “Many people have been there, but lots want to see the incredible rebuild following Katrina.  New Orleans is now, according to Forbes, the #1 Coolest Start-up City in North America; #2 Best City for a Job; #1 Major Market of the Year – lots of great reasons for our business members to go get an update. Plus, have fun.”

While they are there, the travelers will also enjoy cooking lessons, New Orleans-style; lots of jazz interventions with Celebrity Host Anna Jacyszyn; a swamp cruise; five star hotel stay; and an elegant dinner at Court of Two Sisters.

There’s also lots of free time to explore the French Quarter, where travelers will stay for the entire trip; and historic tours of New Orleans with local guides.

The “Spotlight on New Orleans” was booked with Collette Tours before the surge in the US dollar against Canadian currency, and is therefore, not only a great price, but price-protected from any increases between time of booking until the trip departs.

Chamber members save $100 per person when they book – until May 12, 2015.  Total trip cost before member discount is $2,399 Canadian.

The entire trip cost includes round trip airfare from Kelowna to New Orleans (via Seattle, and Alaska Airlines), five star hotel for four nights, six meals, all airport transfers, all tours, cooking lessons. Plus Air Miles.

A nice bonus is the Collette travel waiver: trips are cancellable up to 24 hours prior to departure, and other travel insurance needs are covered for a total of $140. 

While in New Orleans, the group has been invited to the New Orleans Chamber to hear about the current economy of the region, the rebuild, and an update on what makes this vibrant port and energy city, tick.  New Orleans Chamber CEO Ben Johnson will give an up-to-the-minute update to the group.

Celebrity Tour Host Anna Jacyszyn is locally known in the Okanagan for her ever-popular Jazz Café; and a host of important arts awards and citations

Her career began in the UK, as a backup singer to some of the bigs; she soon started her own band, and found herself singing to British, European and Arabic royalty.  FIFA, the Olympics, F1 – she’s sung for all the big names at all the big parties.

At home in the Okanagan since 2008, she’s the vice president of the Jazz and Blues Society and singing around the valley nearly every week, often with the Bernie Addington Trio/Quintet.  Anna will host the group on this New Orleans trip, from the Café du Monde, to some late-night jazz crawls in the French Quarter.

Travel partners, in addition to Collette, are Marlin Travel in West Kelowna (Gail Fritsen), and The Kelowna Daily Courier.  Both are pitching in to ensure the October 12-16, 2015 tour is a success.

The Chamber is hosting an Information Session with a slide show, and an opportunity to meet Anna Jacyszyn on Wednesday April 8, at 4 p.m.  The venue will be announced shortly, and will be listed on the Chamber website.

Chamber members and non-members are welcome on this very special “Spotlight on New Orleans”.  For more information, contact the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce: Caroline Miller – 250-469-7358 or cmiller@kelownachamber.org.