LAFAYETTE, La. – On Wednesday, December 3, One Acadiana (1A) hosted its 2025 Regional Celebration, honoring the organization’s 10-year anniversary. Presented by Ochsner Lafayette General, the event brought together over 400 business and community leaders from across the nine-parish region to reflect on a decade of collaboration and regional progress.
Formerly the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, One Acadiana began its transformation in 2015 into a nationally competitive economic development organization serving a nine-parish region in Acadiana, while continuing to operate as the central business organization for Lafayette. Over the past 10 years, One Acadiana has strengthened the region’s economic competitiveness through strategic initiatives designed to attract and retain both businesses and talent.
The program featured video interviews with key stakeholders, showcasing major milestones achieved since 2015. This included establishing regional target industries, increasing educational attainment, earning national recognition as an Accredited Economic Development Organization and 5-Star Chamber of Commerce, launching the Small & Minority Business Services program, securing Acadiana’s largest private capital investment with First Solar, and championing urban core revitalization – including relocating the 1A office to Downtown Lafayette.
“Acadiana’s success over the past ten years has demonstrated that a united, regional approach drives results – and we are proud to celebrate this milestone alongside the many businesses and partners across our nine parishes making this possible,” said One Acadiana President & CEO Troy Wayman. “This momentum will guide us into the next decade as we continue to strengthen economic competitiveness, drive investment, and create and preserve job opportunities across Acadiana.”
The organization shared the following “Top 10” highlights of 2025:
- Louisiana Economic Development’s first statewide economic development plan in 16 years
- Certification of three sites across Acadiana, totaling 30 sites certified since 2015
- $1 million invested in Iberia Parish’s Progress Point
- New investment by Green Fuels, DMR Technologies, and MMR Group
- LED’s legislative package creating the High Impact Jobs Program and allocating $150M towards site development
- Launching 1A ConnectEd to foster meaningful connections between business and education
- Recognition of 1A staff expertise and achievements
- Hosting the Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives annual conference
- 1A Small Business Challenge Winner, Magnolia Pantry, opening in Downtown Lafayette
- Development of the award-winning 1A Ambassador Program
The evening’s event speakers included 1A President & CEO Troy Wayman, 2025 1A Board Chair Al Patin of Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center, and incoming 2026 Chair Dr. Vincent June of South Louisiana Community College. One Acadiana also awarded its 2025 1A Ambassador of the Year and 3rd Annual Impact Award recipient.
To close the event, One Acadiana announced Chattanooga, Tennessee as the destination of the organization’s 2026 Leadership Exchange trip. The three-day program allows Acadiana’s top business and community leaders to explore challenges and innovations in another part of the country. Taking place September 16-18 of 2026, Chattanooga was strategically selected as the upcoming Leadership Exchange destination based on its potential to cultivate growth-oriented discussions and tangible insights that can be applied right here in Acadiana.
Chattanooga has earned national recognition as one of the South’s most dynamic mid-sized cities, fueled by bold public-private partnerships, strategic investment in its urban core, and a nationally known commitment to innovation. Chattanooga’s municipally owned, community-wide high-speed fiber network, similar to Lafayette’s, has earned the city the nickname “Gig City” and helped position it as a proving ground for emerging technology and economic growth. Mirroring several opportunities and challenges facing Acadiana, this exchange will explore Chattanooga’s community-driven vision for revitalization, philanthropy and public-private partnerships, how technology can power economic transformation, and innovative approaches to talent and workforce development.
Past One Acadiana Leadership Exchange destinations have included:
- 2015 – Charleston, South Carolina
- 2017 – Lexington, Kentucky
- 2019 – Greenville, North Carolina
- 2022 – Pensacola, Florida
- 2024 – Grand Rapids, Michigan
Tickets for 1A’s 2026 leadership Exchange are available now at OneAcadiana.org/LX2026 with early bird pricing running through April 3, 2026.
Those interested in reviewing 2025 Regional Celebration highlights, the programming slideshow, and Decade of Dedication video presentation can visit OneAcadiana.org/RC2025.
About One Acadiana
One Acadiana is the chamber of commerce for Lafayette and leading economic development organization for the nine-parish Acadiana region located in south Louisiana. The organization holds both an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) accreditation and a five-star U.S. Chamber of Commerce accreditation. With more than 700 members, 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 nearly 700,000 people with a vibrant culture and unique entrepreneurial spirit. Learn more at OneAcadiana.org.