Sold Out Event Brings Acadiana Business Leaders Together for evening of Networking, Celebration of Regional Progress
LAFAYETTE, La. – On Thursday, November 30, One Acadiana (1A) hosted its 2023 Regional Celebration. LEMOINE served as the presenting sponsor for the event which brought together 500 engaged business and civic leaders to network with colleagues across parish lines and put a spotlight on the past year’s successes across economic development, infrastructure advocacy, workforce solutions, and educational strides.
Speakers included 2023 1A Board Chair Blaise Zuschlag of Acadian Companies, Incoming Chair Jerry Prejean of First Horizon, and 1A President & CEO Troy Wayman.
“2023 marked a year of immense growth and strength for Acadiana. Thanks to strategic collaboration and inter-parish partnerships, we have achieved significant progress in critical areas—creating a more vibrant quality of life, making strides in educational attainment, and attracting businesses to diversify and bolster our economy,” said Wayman. “The night was a celebration of a number of fruitful collaborations and highlighted the work that will propel our region to even greater heights.”
Underscoring how a regional approach is the key to economic success, the event featured videos showcasing:
- how 1A and other economic development partners worked together to recruit First Solar’s fifth manufacturing facility to Iberia Parish, bringing $1.1 billion to the region in capital investment;
- 1A’s ongoing partnerships with Leadership Institute of Acadiana and Jack & Associates to support business growth;
- LSUE’s newly launched Respiratory Therapy Apprenticeship Program, born out of discussions in 1A’s 2020 industry roundtables;
- the progress of 1A’s quality of life initiative known as Vibrant Acadiana;
- and how business leaders are tackling the pressing issue of talent attraction and retention.
Wayman shared that One Acadiana, which serves as Lafayette’s chamber of commerce and the nine-parish region’s economic development agency, celebrated a significant milestone this year earning reaccreditation as an Accredited Economic Development Organization and accreditation as a five-star chamber of commerce. The organization is one of eight chambers in Louisiana to earn five-stars and is one of four organizations in the country to hold dual distinctions.
During the event, One Acadiana also recognized John Nugent as 2023 Ambassador of the Year and honored former LPSS Superintendent Irma Trosclair with the organization’s first IMPACT Award. Presenting Trosclair with the award, Zuschlag shared: “Mrs. Trosclair was appointed full-time Superintendent of the Lafayette Parish School System in March of 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trosclair provided steady, tireless leadership to guide LPSS through the next few turbulent years. In fact, LPSS students have even made academic gains compared to pre-COVID levels, and LPSS has risen to become one of the top 10 school districts in the state, the only large city school system in the state to earn that distinction.”
Videos, links, and presentation slides shared during the evening are available to view at OneAcadiana.org/RegionalCelebration2023.
About One Acadiana
One Acadiana is the leading economic development organization for the nine-parish Acadiana region located in south Louisiana. With more than 800 investors, members, and partners, One Acadiana serves as the voice of the regional business community. The organization is located in the city of Lafayette and serves a region of roughly 700,000 people with a vibrant culture and unique entrepreneurial spirit. Learn more at OneAcadiana.org