LCAES Tours & Evening Events

LCAES Host: Joel Catering & Special Events

Monday, November 9, 2026

Il Mercato’s Event: Step into a hidden oasis at Il Mercato, where centuries-old stone walls embrace a stunning courtyard alive with warmth and wonder. As twilight descends, indulge in a sumptuous dinner crafted to delight every sense—rich aromas, vibrant flavors, and the soft glow of ambient lighting. This is more than a meal; it's an experience where history whispers, elegance flows, and memories are made.

7:00 pm 10:00pm

Il Mercato

1911 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Tuesday, November 10, 2026

LCAES 2026 Tours

Sunday, November 8, 2026 | 3:30–4:30 PM

Choose one of the following exclusive tour options (space is limited):

The Sazerac House

Step into The Sazerac House and you're immediately transported into New Orleans' liquid legacy. The air hints at aromatic bitters and aged bourbon, while gleaming copper stills catch the light streaming through historic windows. This isn't just a museum—it's a three-story temple to the cocktails that influenced a city.

What to Expect

Three floors of interactive exhibits and historical displays in a beautiful facility
Sip your way through three handcrafted cocktail samples that tell the story of New Orleans, one delicious chapter at a time
Historical displays and artifacts covering Peychaud's Bitters, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, and Sazerac Rye
Explore production processes and cocktail recipes
Modern, high-tech interactive displays and short video presentations
Video stations featuring bartenders demonstrating classic New Orleans cocktails like the Ramos Gin Fizz and Sazerac
Save time to shop the gift shop afterward—it's spectacular!

Event Details
Address: 101 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130 (corner of Canal and Magazine at the edge of the French Quarter)
Time: Tour from 3:30–4:30 PM
Transportation: Meet in the hotel lobby by 2:45 PM to check in. Bus departs from the host hotel (Hilton Riverside New Orleans) at 3:00 PM. Transportation to and from the hotel will be provided.

Please contact katrina.phillips@informa.com if you would like to attend.

Mardi Gras World

Step behind the sequins and into the magic.

At Mardi Gras World, the party never stops—it's just being built for next year. This isn't a museum of yesterday's parades; it's a living, breathing workshop where the spectacle of Mardi Gras comes to life 365 days a year.

It's a place where master artisans sculpt towering jesters, paint glittering dragons the size of buses, and weld the mechanical bones of floats that will soon roll through cheering crowds. The air smells of fresh paint and possibility. Glitter coats everything—and we mean everything.

Your hour-long journey begins with a film that unravels the mysteries of Mardi Gras traditions (why the colors? what's with the baby in the cake?), then launches into a guided expedition through cavernous warehouses stacked with fantastical creations. Peer up at three-story sculptures. Stand beside the very floats that celebrities and krewe royalty will ride. Touch the craftsmanship that transforms New Orleans every February.

And yes—you'll taste authentic Gambino's King Cake, the sweet, cinnamon-swirled crown jewel of Carnival season. One slice and you'll understand why locals count down the days until Twelfth Night.

Event Details
Address: 1380 Port of New Orleans Place
Time: Tour from 3:30–4:30 PM
Transportation: Meet in the hotel lobby by 2:45 PM to check in. Bus departs from the host hotel (Hilton Riverside New Orleans) at 3:00 PM. Transportation to and from the hotel will be provided.