BP’s ‘Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash’ offers fresh seafood, vacation contest
New Orleans – In addition to having great football this January with the Sugar Bowl and the BCS National Championship, New Orleans is also having great seafood – thanks to BP’s Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash.
BP created the event in partnership with Gulf Coast tourism planners as a way to celebrate Gulf Coast culture, seafood and tourism – and to maximize exposure the region receives during the two bowl games in New Orleans.
“We're working with the Gulf Coast's seafood and tourism industries to spotlight two of the best things about this unique region," said Crystal Ashby, BP executive vice president of government and public affairs. “Together, we want to deliver a clear message that the Gulf's beaches, restaurants, fishing and attractions provide unsurpassed vacation experiences.”
Visitors to New Orleans for the Allstate Sugar Bowl have already enjoyed Gulf Coast seafood at pre-game parties and galas. BP was proud to help kick off festivities with a "peacemaker" po' boy sandwich shared by representatives from the two teams playing in the Sugar Bowl, Virginia Tech and Michigan.
On January 4, celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse, who has lived in New Orleans for more than 30 years, appeared on ESPN to talk about the quality and condition of Gulf waters.
“I was just out last weekend fishing,” Lagasse told ESPN. “And to see the Gulf these days, it's remarkable. It's pristine."
The message of quality seafood and clean beaches is what tourism planners hope visitors will take away from their New Orleans stay.
As an additional incentive, the Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash is giving away a free vacation package with a “text to win” sweepstakes. Any United States resident who is at least 18 years old can enter. Simply text GULFCST to 76060 for a chance to win a vacation to one of these four destinations: New Orleans; Biloxi, MS; Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Alabama; and Pensacola Beach, Florida.
