A group of business and city leaders are collectively working to make South Carolina Gamecock fans feel welcome in Louisiana when they arrive for Saturday’s game against LSU. Lamar Advertising has agreed to use several of its electronic billboards to let the visitors know the people of Louisiana want them to feel at home and understand their plight, says Lamar CEO Sean Reilly.
Already, billboards along Interstates 10 and 12 are running the message, “Geaux Gamecocks! … make yourself at home.”
Visit Baton Rouge is also reaching out. The agency has sent a notice to hotels asking them to make a special effort to be accommodating to South Carolina guests, and banners will hang in Baton Rouge Metro Airport and Louis Armstrong International Airport in Kenner to greet disembarking passengers.
Meanwhile, Uber is offering a special promotional rate to South Carolina fans. First-time users will get $20 off their ride from the airport, which should cover most fares from the airport.
Other local businesses are doing their part, too. Infinity Financial Group is collecting and shipping boxes of clothing, toiletries and other needed supplies to flood-ravaged South Carolina to help out in its relief efforts.
“It wasn’t very long that we needed help in this state so we felt like we should return the favor,” says Ryan Gisclair of Infinity, who, with his partner, James Bayard, came up with the idea. “We wanted to inspire other people in the Baton Rouge area to do the same.”
In addition, Ruffino’s will donate all of its proceeds from Friday’s restaurant sales to South Carolina relief efforts.
—Stephanie Riegel
