Given the shortage of hotel rooms and the Baton Rouge River Center’s transformation into a shelter for flood victims, Associated Grocers says it “simply could not move forward” with its fall food expo this year.
It’s just one of many events that have been canceled at the River Center, which has been forced to shelve all events booked for September but hopes to be back in operation for the Oct. 5 Elton John concert.
In a prepared statement, AG President and CEO Emile Breaux says several hundred hotel rooms are needed each year to accommodate those involved with the food expo, which takes place every fall.
“As you can imagine, these types of events are quite a logistical feat, involving several hundred companies, truckloads of equipment and products,” Breaux says. “For staff, exhibitors and customers, these events typically require several hundred hotel rooms for multiple days.”
Last week, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services consolidated all of those being sheltered in Baton Rouge at the River Center, which held 825 flood victims at the beginning of this week.
“At this time, the needs of the displaced members of our community, our neighbors, is greater than our need,” Breaux says. “We offer to our friends and neighbors our prayers and support for a speedy return to their homes. And of course, we are looking forward to our Spring Food Expo to be held in April 2017.”
Ben Blackwell, president of the Baton Rouge Lodging Association, expects hotel availability to increase by LSU’s first home football game on Sept. 10 if a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico does not impact Baton Rouge.
The cancellation of AG’s food expo is also impacting the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, which annually receives food from the event once it’s over. The food bank took on about four feet of water during the flooding, resulting in the loss of trucks, forklifts, computers, office equipment and at least a half million pounds of food. Outside organizations, food banks from around the country and even celebrities have stepped up to help the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank replenish its stock.
“We also recognize that our food expos provide a source of food donations to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.,” Breaux says. “Associated Grocers has a long history of support with the Food Bank, supplying food products and donations year-round. We remain fully committed to support Mike Manning and his team at the Food Bank as they continue their work helping those in our community who are in need.”
—Alexandria Burris
