Nancy Trosclair, DMCP President, Destination New Orleans (DNO), selects her top three group-friendly outdoor activities.
What outdoor activities you recommend for visiting groups?
(1) Airboating on the Bayou: We are surrounded by a truly unique and beautiful ecosystem that can’t be found anywhere else in North America, so it’s one of our greatest joys to share this with our corporate meeting groups. Our favorite activity is to take a ride on the wild side by touring local marshes and swamps on airboats. Luxuriant cypress, swamp willow and iris, sassafras and palmetto frame the verdant realm of egret, pelican, eagle, alligator, raccoon, blue heron, muskrat and nutria.
We love to add an outdoor seafood boil for our guests on the banks of a bayou. Crawfish, crab and shrimp, right from the bayou, is complemented by locally produced smoked sausage, corn, potatoes and, of course, ice-cold Abita beer.
(2) The Muskrat Scramble: Muskrat Ramble, a favorite jazz standard, is the inspiration for this fun and challenging activity in the French Quarter. The Muskrat Scramble, a DNO original, is a combination of the traditional French Quarter treasure hunt and the hit TV reality show Amazing Race.
Each team is given only one clue to begin with and they must discover the French Quarter location alluded to, get there and accomplish the given task before receiving the next clue. The finish line can be as simple as a meeting room in the host hotel or as elaborate as a French Quarter balcony party overlooking the Mississippi River.
(3) Paint Fest & Bead Fest: The beauty, art and healing qualities of nature is the inspiration for this teambuilding activity, which is mainly held in outdoor locations such as a park or sculpture garden. By using recycled Mardi Gras beads, your group can create spectacular murals with a distinctly New Orleans flavor. It’s all really quite simple and a whole lot of fun!
First, scenes are drawn on multiple canvases much like a giant puzzle. Then they are color-coded for participants to paint or to fill in by gluing Mardi Gras beads in place. And finally the canvases come together to form a mural depicting a spectacular scene from nature, such as a blooming garden or an underwater scene.
By partnering with other organizations such as the Foundation for Hospital Art, your company can sponsor the teambuilding event, featuring spectacular cuisine and live entertainment. Not to mention, positive media attention will enhance the public perception of your organization as a good corporate citizen committed to the welfare of those in need either in your own community or right here in New Orleans.