FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Emma Boone
Public Relations & Digital Content Manager
Visit Shreveport-Bossier
eboone@visitshreveportbossier.org
DESTINATION 318: $100k TOURISM CHALLENGE RETURNS TO SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER
Shreveport-Bossier, LA – Building on the success of its inaugural year, Visit Shreveport-Bossier, in partnership with the Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program (EAP), a division of BRF, announces applications are open for Destination 318, a $100,000 tourism business competition designed to drive economic growth and tourism development across Caddo and Bossier Parishes.
“After seeing the success of Destination 318 in its first year, we’re excited to see this initiative return and continue growing,” said Tom Arceneaux, Mayor of the City of Shreveport. “These kinds of investments help us showcase Shreveport’s identity, create new visitor experiences, and drive real economic impact for local residents and businesses.”
Launched in 2025, Destination 318 supports entrepreneurs whose projects enhance the visitor experience and strengthen quality of life for residents, while helping fulfill unmet needs and build a more cohesive, sustainable visitor economy across Shreveport-Bossier.
“Bossier City is proud to be part of Destination 318 because it strengthens the experiences that make our region feel unique and memorable,” said Tommy Chandler, Mayor of the City of Bossier City. “By supporting local entrepreneurs, we’re building a stronger sense of place and giving visitors more reasons to explore, stay longer, and come back.”
All business ideas must align with the Destination Master Plan, which serves as a strategic roadmap for Shreveport-Bossier’s long-term tourism and economic development. Proposed ideas must fall within one of the following eligible categories: outdoor recreation and sports, hospitality, arts, culture, or entertainment.
“Destination 318 was designed to turn local concepts into tourism experiences that are authentic to Shreveport-Bossier's culture,” said Stacy Brown, President & CEO of Visit Shreveport-Bossier. “It’s about celebrating the people, places, and ‘hidden gems’ that shape our identity. We want visitors to leave with a real connection to the destination, and for residents to feel proud of what we’re building.”
Applications are open until Friday, March 27, 2026, at noon. Submissions are open to tourism-related startups and existing businesses seeking to expand or grow in Caddo & Bossier Parishes.
Participants must attend three mandatory educational workshops, hosted by EAP, to qualify for the competition. Workshop topics will include marketing strategies, developing sustainable business models, and scaling for long-term success.
“Destination 318 is the kind of opportunity that helps a region tell its story in new ways,” says Dave Smith, with BRF’s Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program. “At EAP, we get to work alongside entrepreneurs as they shape ideas into real businesses, and when those businesses create fresh experiences, it strengthens the sense of place visitors feel--and the pride residents feel too.”
In addition to sharing a total of $100,000 in prize funding across multiple businesses, winners will have access to professional services provided by outside companies, such as legal and accounting support from Bonvenu Bank, Bradley Murchison Kelly & Shea, and Carr, Riggs & Ingram CPAs and Advisors, to help ensure long-term success.
Businesses interested in offering services to Destination 318 winners, please contact Karen M. Barnes, VP of Destination Development, at Destination318@visitshreveportbossier.org.
As Destination 318 enters its second year, Visit Shreveport-Bossier continues its commitment to investing in people, places, and ideas that shape the future of the destination. This effort helps create meaningful experiences for visitors while building pride, opportunity, and economic momentum for the local community.
Apply for Destination 318 HERE. Full eligibility details, deadlines, and the application are available at www.VisitShreveportBossier.org/destination-318.
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Visit Shreveport-Bossier is the official destination marketing organization for Caddo & Bossier Parishes. The organization promotes the area as a premier destination for leisure travel, meetings, and events—driving economic growth and supporting local businesses. For more information, visit www.VisitShreveportBossier.org.
