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KTBS Podcasting and the Committee of 100 present Good to Know Shreveport-Bossier, a podcast series showcasing the good things happening in our area. We’ll go in-depth about economic development, community growth and other topics about initiatives that are having a positive impact in our community. We’ll have new episodes every other Wednesday. You can find the KTBS Good to Know podcast wherever you listen to podcasting. Or go to KTBS.com or KTBS Now on your streaming device to see the full interview.
Hey. Hello and welcome to Good to Know
Shreveport-Bossier,
a podcast showcasing the good things
happening in our community.
I'm Shannon Briney
and this is my co-host, Paul Reeser,
a local businessman
and member of the Committee of 100 down.
Each podcast, Paul, we will focus on
topics and initiatives and people
that are important to you and having
a positive impact on our community.
With new episodes available
every other Wednesday and you can find
good to know wherever you download
and listen to and watch your podcasts.
So let's start, Paul,
by introducing our guest.
Absolutely. Thanks, Shannon.
That was so pleasant.
You should have seen my last co-host.
Oh, I will.
He still works here.
He still works here.
So I know actually, I do.
I do want to introduce you just a little
bit, Shannon, because I'm excited.
Jeff Bamforth, who's been my co-host
for the last two years, over 60 episodes.
We've been doing this.
He has moved to another podcast.
They've asked him
to do a political podcast.
That's where his, you know, his genius
lies, his connections, his passion,
passion, his best buddy,
you know, Mike Johnson.
And they're always talking politics.
So, he's gone to a new podcast.
And luckily for me, our new local
anchor person,
am Shannon
Rennie, has agreed to be on our podcast.
So that's going to liven things up.
It's my pleasure to do it.
And this actually falls within my shift.
Whereas Jeff was a little sleep deprived
whenever he had to come in
early to tape this.
So he was like that
when he was wide awake.
I've seen, you know, I'm
going to miss Jeff
because, man, he, he, knows his stuff.
But thank you so much
for agreeing to be on.
It's my pleasure.
And I post a podcast for four years,
so this is going to be,
something that I'm used to and,
and also as something
that I'm really excited about
because as we, welcome in community
Movers and Shakers, I get to learn
more about the community as well.
And for a newcomer,
that's very important, too.
Well, thank you very much.
I guess we should get around
to actually introducing our guests today.
Sure.
The guy who's been over there
patiently listening.
What am I doing here?
No. I'm super excited because
if you've been around Bossier City lately,
you've noticed the skyline is a changing
because that brand new construction
project upgrade the live casino.
They put up the big live red sign,
which means we're getting close
to open in that thing.
So we have the vice
president of marketing.
Hey, Josh Robinson,
you're here today late.
And thank you so much for having me,
but I'm enjoying this on the oh, I know
I love it.
Yeah. We'll get to you later
and just read it.
Does this mean you're a newcomer to it
or are you just new
to this particular venue,
so new to this particular venue.
So, northwest Louisiana is home for me.
And so this opportunity
gave me the ability to come back home.
So I spent a little time in southwest
Louisiana, a little over six years.
And so, recently back home as of July.
So very excited. Welcome back.
Thank you.
Well, I'm excited. Like I said,
the new sign is up. So.
So tell us a little bit about what
to expect with this brand
new $270 million refurbish.
That's quite an investment.
It is quite an investment.
And in the Cornish companies and family,
you know, are doing a phenomenal job
with this property, I will tell you,
there's so much to look forward to.
It's I don't even know where to start.
So I think you $270 million
plus investment, 47,000ft² of gaming,
549 luxury hotel rooms, six restaurants,
multiple bars,
multiple entertainment venues.
There will really always be
something happening at live.
So, you know,
we are going to open in early 2025.
So, not ready to tell you just exactly
when yet, but it's coming soon.
We got anticipation is good, right?
Two people waiting
just a little bit longer.
But early 2025
we are all going to get ready to go live.
Explained the evolution of the site.
So if you guys remember.
So it is the old Diamond
Jack's property was located there.
But I always tell people,
you have to really embrace
everything you remember
about that property from your mind,
because it was really gutted
to conquer and steal.
So every space has been touched.
The riverboat that was there is gone.
The property has been built out forward
and then built out back.
So a lot of the construction and a lot of
the things that were happening,
you couldn't necessarily see from the road
or from the interstate.
So we're really excited
to open those doors and just give people
a new and exciting experience.
So the boat, the boat's gone.
It's not a
you don't have to go to the boat
anymore to the casino,
but there's a lot more than than
just the casino,
like I said, it and it looks like
from what I've seen, a thousand,
slot machines plus are coming in, so
the gambling portion is going to be huge.
But then there's a lot of other venues
that are more interesting to me.
I'm a terrible gambler.
It's. Hey. And that's okay.
And I tell people all the time,
you do not have to be a gambler,
but everyone, every, no one,
not everyone enjoys that, right?
But everyone does enjoy a great time,
a great meal, phenomenal company.
And we're going to give that to you.
So you think about the six restaurant
offerings that we have coming.
So the prime rib
which is really an exceptional steakhouse,
recognizes one of the top five steakhouses
by USA today readers,
multiple other accolades.
I've had the opportunity to dine in a few,
within our portfolio,
and it's really going to be
an exceptional experience.
And then we've got the Ruidoso Grand Cafe.
So what's really interesting about that is
I don't hear that a lot in Bossier.
Yeah.
The Rudolfo Grand I know.
So like so believe it or not.
So it's really the name is inspired,
by the first gaming establishment
that was in Europe.
And so it's really going to have
an Italian Venetian flair,
and it's going to be situated
right next to the R bar.
And it's, it's really guys.
It's just gorgeous.
And, you know,
it's going to have a raw bar.
And so the R stands for raw. Yes.
And scallops.
But really premium cocktails in a setting
that is
is really going to blow your mind.
I mean in in not just that space
but really every space,
the amount of attention to detail,
is really unparalleled.
It is going to be beautiful.
But and I get
I get hung up. So forgive me.
No, that's because I'm so excited.
But then we have luck Fu,
which is our Asian inspired restaurant.
And then we'll have sports and social
and really,
sports and social is
is so much more than a restaurant.
It's really your game watch experience,
you know, whether you're rooting
for the Saints or the Cowboys or LSU
or whoever your team is, it's
really going to be the second best place
to be than being at the game itself.
So we really have
you know, we're talking about live deejays
during commercial breaks.
We're talking about,
okay, crowd engagement.
We're talking about games and fun.
It's just really taking
that experience to the next level.
And then we have our PBR nightclub,
which is, you know,
as a professional bull rider.
So yeah, yes, we will have
a mechanical bull, those guys.
So, so if you're really feeling shattered,
I know what we're going to do.
I know, but at least this weekend game,
I want you to come and look.
So I think you're welcome to show off.
Or, you know, by all means,
we will get you up there.
I'm really surrounded by bars, VIP
experiences, it just so much.
And then you really kind of tack
all of that
on to really what live is all about.
And we say energy loves company.
And that's
when you walk into the building,
you going to feel it immediately.
We will have national acts
in the event center.
But really more than that, at some point
and some place
we will have live entertainment
in our building almost daily.
So we've got multiple stages
throughout the property.
We really just want guests
to just have a great time.
You know, when you're
when you leave the house
and it's not to run an errand or,
you know, do the things that you have to
do, but when you leave the house
and you're looking to do something fun
and spend
those dollars on an experience,
that's something that we want to give you
and we want to give it to you
in a package that just feels exciting.
This is ambitious.
There's so much to unpack here.
I know I talk, I am just, you know, I'm
I because I'm doing I'm sorry.
Go ahead.
Oh, I was going to say, because you don't
embark on a project like this
without doing significant market research
to find out whether the region
is going to be receptive and interested,
and whether this will be
filling a demand that may be unvoiced,
but it's a demand that's there.
And do you believe that right now
there is some pent up
demand for a venue
that is offering all of these options?
It sounds like it absolutely does say
we've we've spent a lot of time
and look,
you learn so much when you listen, right?
And so we have spent a lot of time
in northwest Louisiana.
First,
let me say is welcomed us with open arms.
And we are very, very excited
to be a part of this community.
But a part of
that is being in the community
and doing the work
and having the conversations,
and there is a hunger
for what we are bringing to the table.
So we're excited about that.
I will tell you, look, you know, the
the gaming market here
has been around for a long time, right?
Since it's the 90s. Okay.
You know, and
but they're ready for something new,
something fresh,
something that has, you know, an energy
and something that you feel
and something that's packaged in a way
that can be memorable and unforgettable.
I always say, you know,
I say entertainment is a feeling,
you know,
and you can be entertained anywhere
you go, whether it's,
you know, buy food from a phenomenal meal
or the company that you surround yourself
with, what we really want to do
is just provide you
that place where you can come
and have a great time with your friends,
with your family, or even by yourself.
If you just want to get away
from everything and everyone.
Right?
Like like Shannon said,
I had this kind of the same question.
You guys are so optimistic, obviously,
to make this big of an investment,
what are some of the things
about the Shreveport-Bossier market
that made you decide this was the place
that we're going to do this?
I think, look, you know,
Shreveport-Bossier in Northwest Louisiana
in general is really a hub of activity.
There's so much to do here.
There is a vibrancy here that we see
and that we know.
Right.
And there are people that are coming
to this market today from Dallas, Fort
Worth, Waco, Killeen, Tyler, Longview,
southern Arkansas, central Louisiana.
I could go on and on and on, you know,
but I think, you know,
we have seen some of that business
and some of that tourism redirect
to some other places,
but I think that is generally,
especially when you're thinking
about gaming and entertainment, is there
is that that want for something fresh,
for something new?
And something exciting?
Look, you know,
we want to compliment the market.
Absolutely.
But we also want to elevate the market,
right?
Right.
We want to be a place that people can
come, but also come enjoy our experience,
but then also enjoy the things
that are available in northwest Louisiana,
because there really
is so much in this market, we see that
we believe that we can complement that,
and we're excited to do it.
I noticed that you that live
casino, and hotel,
they sponsored
brew and several of the local type
things that are
that bring a lot of, people to this area.
Is that something
you're going to work with?
Do you think that synergy is just growing
now to the point to where we're going to
just be the new destination?
Look, I believe so.
And I wanted
you touched on brew and a few other things
I want to say live in the community.
Is is something it's a pillar
that really means something
to us as a company, as a business.
It means something to our team members.
You know, most of our team members
live, work and play in this market.
So being present and being involved,
whether it's, you know, with dollars
or sweat equity, it's just something
that's very, very important to us.
And, and already we've had the opportunity
to partner with so many different
great organizations that are doing some
really phenomenal things in this market.
And so,
you know, we are about the community
and we we want to be a big part of that.
On Ktab's three, we have covered it
as you've been doing, hiring, events.
So the workforce is going to be
part of the sweat
that goes into the sweat and blood
and tears that goes into this,
success that you're hoping
this is all going to be. So.
So how is it going, bringing on that new
workforce like it's going very, very well.
We do have positions posted today
on our careers landing page.
So if you are interested
or looking for a new
or different opportunity,
please reach out to us.
You know, we held our first job fair at
the Bossier Civic Center not too long ago.
We had over 1400
people come through that job fair.
We had, a little over 300 offers
go out as a result of that job fair.
So we're very excited about the trajectory
that is happening.
We do have another job fair
that's coming up,
on January 8th at the LSU ballroom.
That will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m..
Now, that job fairs
really going to be more focused
on our food and beverage,
culinary and security positions.
So really anything front of house,
whether you're looking to be a server
or a bartender, a chef, a cook, a hostess,
a security shift manager,
a security officer,
those will be the positions
that we are really kind of leaning into
for that job fair on the eighth
with six restaurants I can't even imagine
six, six restaurants and some, like,
really high end steak restaurant.
And then all the way to the
to the sports bar.
What are what are people looking for
when they come to work there?
What's it like working for live?
Because I know it's, it's a challenge
keeping people at work
like you hire people,
you bring them in, and then.
And how do we keep them?
You're so enthusiastic about five.
I think, you know, what's it
like working there in. It's great.
And I'll tell you, I have, I, I'm
really new in the grand scheme of things.
I think I've been with the company
now a little bit over six months.
But I am genuinely so impressed
and I think look the same amount
of time and attention, you know,
that they put into their products,
they put into their people.
And I can see that and I can feel that.
I see that every day when I'm at work
and new people are coming on board and,
and we're talking about opportunities
and what, what life is going to feel like
at live.
And you're right.
The people make the difference.
We all know what their slot machines
in this market.
There's table games in this market.
There's hotels in this market.
But really what's going to set us
apart is going to be the people.
It is going to be our team members
that are creating the energy
that they are setting the tone
and creating the vibe.
And so I think it's important
as a business and as a company that
we get that same
attention
as we give the consumer and customer.
And you are trying to
sounds like create a different experience
than what can be obtained elsewhere,
what can be obtained, for some of our,
distance travelers at their own,
perhaps, there are,
you know, tribal, casinos
where they're coming from.
So they have to have a reason
to come to the Bossier area.
And it sounds like
Liv is trying to fit that bill.
Absolutely.
I think, you
know, and we've talked about it
a little bit already,
and I've talked about kind of
weird entertainment destination.
Okay.
We're not just a casino.
We're not just a luxury hotel.
We're not just restaurants.
We're an entertainment destination.
There's
going to be something there for everyone.
And I think, yes, being the newest
and being the nicest certainly helps.
And when I tell you
that we are going to be very nice, okay.
But at the same time there's we are going
to be that place for everyone.
Everyone's going to feel comfortable.
Our relationships are important to us.
The service
that we give our guest is important to us,
and I think,
I think that will bring people to us.
But at the same time, I think we want it
to bring people to Northwest Louisiana,
because when when we are all thriving,
we're all thriving.
And that's really what we hope
for. At the end of the day.
So how many rooms does it have?
Will you be bringing like
conventions, smaller conventions
or larger conventions to the area?
Yeah.
So our hotel room count is 549,
a great mix of king rooms and rooms
with two queen beds.
We also have a really nice collection
of suites.
So and we are booking today,
so anyone out there that is looking for,
or we're booking ourselves
an event space today,
hotel booking is coming very soon.
But anyone
that's looking to have an event,
whether it be, you know, a trade show, or,
you know, a small meeting, group
convention, corporate travel,
we're ready to talk to you
and we're ready to get you on the books.
But as I said, over
25,000ft² of meeting space,
we have our large space,
which is the event center at Liv,
and we do have in that space can be
broken up into multiple smaller spaces.
We have the Harbor Board Room,
which is gorgeous.
Two other meeting spaces
that will be available for rent.
And so it look, we're booking
today, we've got a lot of people excited
and we've already got so many things
booked
and people planning to come in
after we open those doors.
But we are
we are taking calls, we are booking.
And so right now,
if you're looking for anything
really in that April date or forward,
let us know.
Well, a lot of people think, well,
we're going to have a convention for our
for our team.
We need to go off somewhere
to make it exciting.
But we I used to have a lot of sonics.
I don't even I own toilet, I have a lot of
sonic Sonic drive fast foods.
Yeah. So I always kind
of the fry guy. Yeah. And,
so but, you know, we had stores
across four states
and we would have our convention
every year here.
So we had it at, Margaritaville,
we had it at horseshoe.
And, you know, great,
also great spaces in the area.
And, it's good
just to bring all of our people in.
You don't have to go to Vegas
to have that great experience.
You put your people in a hotel,
you have great meeting space, and you have
got to have great entertainment there.
So, you know,
I just I highly recommend it to anybody.
Have your convention here locally.
You don't have to go far away.
Absolutely. Save everyone
the trouble. Right?
That's right.
Having to go through that, it's easier
to keep up with my guys too.
Sometimes I get off the planes
in Vegas and you never saw.
Hopefully it won't be the same here.
But in terms of what you're offering,
though,
is there going to be like entertainment?
Will we have big names coming through?
We will.
And I would say I'm being a little tight
lipped for now.
Sure.
Asking everyone to wait
just a little bit longer.
I would say that there will be
some announcements coming very soon.
But I'm really excited about the lineup
that we have thus far.
I'm itching.
I really it's right now
I just I really just want to
I want to go there with you, but I'm going
to make you wait a little bit longer.
But, look, you know,
I think about the people
that we have coming in and I think about,
look, you've got country,
you've got rock, you've really just got
all of the things you've got ain't comedy.
So I will give you that so far.
So but we've, we've got a good lineup
and I think,
you guys will be aware of that lineup
very soon.
And you said your expectations
have some type of entertainment
going on every day, like every minute
of every day or just like, once a day or,
well, not every minute of every day,
because really, I mean, yeah,
it's kind of quiet at night.
Place itself is is an entertainment hub,
right?
So, you know, you're going to walk in
and you're going to walk into the property
and there's this amazing LED screen
that goes all the way from the valet port.
A cashier into the building down the back
entry wall.
You know the music in this space,
whether it's live or not,
there's really so there's going to be
that vibe all the time.
But when we talk about live entertainment,
I'll say we have this stage
at sports and social, and we will program
that stage on weekends.
We have the stage in PBR,
we have an area in the prime rib.
We have an area in our bar.
And then as we kind of get into pool
season,
that's
a whole different element of conversation.
But but the idea is, is we really again,
you know,
if you want to sit down somewhere
and listen to live music,
we're going to have that for you
if you want to,
if you want to have a quiet
little nook somewhere for a great meal
and a great drink,
we're going to have that for you, too.
And it's so again, it's really
the vibe in the experience
I think is really it's a package deal.
Right?
So not every minute of every day,
but a lot of minutes of every day.
And you have a great site too,
because it is
it establishes basically the entire
I don't know if we call it
the strip here, the, the shore,
what do we call it here in Bosnia?
Well, we should have a name for exposure.
So but it's for stablish,
especially if you're coming in
from the, East side, which is what I did.
So that's the first structure
that you really see, right?
Right. And you think too.
I mean, we're right there in the East
Bank.
And there are really some great offerings
today in the East Bank,
even outside of casinos.
You know, I think about Hurricane Alley
bojack's, you know, those places down
there, there really is a hub of excitement
in that general area.
And, yes, you know, we are
we are right off the interstate.
We will be northwest Louisiana's
first landside casino, which is
what's really exciting about that is
everything is really going to be central.
So you park in the garage,
you come down the elevator,
you're just steps away from the action.
So no long tracks,
no long journeys to get to see. Right.
And so you're really going to be in the
center of the action all the time. And,
you know, our steakhouse, which I think is
really great, is the same thing.
You know,
the positioning of that is intentional.
You will have access
from the casino floor
to that for those guests that are 21 plus.
But you will also have that exterior entry
for those that want to come and dine
with their families.
And again, parking the garage, come
right down, walk right into the restaurant
because so often you hear,
oh, I, you know,
I don't want to go to the casinos,
to diners, to park here
and do a walk on that journey.
And so, you know, that's
really not something that you're going
to have to worry about with us
because you're really going to have easy,
immediate access to all of our amenities.
So you don't necessarily
have to walk through
a big front entrance
and walk through the casino to get to the.
It's like you can park there and
you can go right to the nice restaurant.
Absolutely. That's what you want to do.
Yes. And I will say so
our sports and social
and our luck for restaurant and PBR.
So those are right.
Literally you can walk into them
from the casino floor.
So those spaces you will have to be 21
plus to enter.
Now look for a Redondo cafe
Rio Grande Cafe.
Those areas will be available for our
for those that are under the age of 21.
So luck for you.
I have to ask,
where does the name come from?
Because I saw that
I thought it was a misprint.
I didn't know, for sure that that's
how you said it.
Well, it is, it is not a misprint.
And, you know, I think I probably
that is a great question.
Yeah. You need to get the edge and I will
stand for you.
So you
have you have chefs from Japan, from
from China, from
it is all these different Asian.
Is it like an Asian fusion.
And then I guess luck
because we got to be lucky.
We got to be lucky actually.
Names. Right.
So yeah I think food
the menu is very Asian inspired.
Right.
So you know we'll will have those
selections and options that are Vietnamese
inspired or Chinese inspired or Korean
inspired or Japanese inspired.
So really, all of those elements
kind of coming together
in one space,
Thai inspired Gangnam Pad Thai.
Oh, yeah.
I think we'll have you covered.
Come on. I think we'll have you covered.
All right.
This is exciting, man.
So I don't know, as as she warned
you yet in the in the earpiece?
No, we still have time.
We still have time to talk.
What about?
Is there going to be
a we're going to have a full entertainment
and the full experience
where you have a spa there.
We have a massage day.
Again, that's just
another one of those things that I will
say, I'll tell you later. Oh,
I also wondered about aquatic,
you know, like pool.
Is there a pool? Yes, absolutely.
So there is a resort style pool.
It is going to be amazing. Fantastic.
That is going to come a little bit later
next year.
And then so we'll have, you know, cabanas
and some really phenomenal lounge areas,
that space will be also programed
for live entertainment.
So again, we've got a lot of things
in the works that I think, you know,
it has said, you know, me,
I wish I could tell you
everything right now
because I know and I have to be careful.
I haven't back yet. Yeah.
So I can come back and start
telling us about the spa
and the entertainment and all that.
And I do want
my husband's in construction,
so I do want to offer you the opportunity
to say what you want to say
about the construction team
that you've had working on it.
Absolutely.
So, you know, we've we've had in number
counts and grows over
750 construction jobs
that we have brought to the market.
You know, we are our offices
are in this space like I am going
to work every day.
And so every day I get to walk the space.
And it's just that whole process
is something that's amazing to me.
It's,
you know, it goes from from sheetrock.
And then next thing you know, it's
a fully finished out space and like that.
And so the progress in the construction
is going well.
And every day, like you
just there's a new finish
that's going up or something
new and exciting.
And so the journey is really fun to watch
and be a part of.
You know, you got to be careful.
The hard hat, you know, ruins the hair
a little bit.
Safety first, the construction vest.
You know, it's
but it's at the end of the day there, too.
It's really just a lot of fun.
And it's it's really cool to be a part of
something like that and to really see it,
you know, go from concept to completion
more and more every day.
But to get a feel for what it looks like,
I went to the website, and apparently
you have these several of these,
casino hotels across the country.
This isn't your first rodeo, but
are those pictures from other from other,
casinos that you already have?
Are those
what this is actually going to look like?
Because they look fantastic?
Yeah.
I would say to you
that really when you go to our website,
you're going to see
a combination of things.
But when you're looking at renderings,
what I will tell you
is we deliver to those renderings.
So a lot of people are like, oh,
there's no way it's going to be that nice.
Oh, there's no way that
that's just a digital image.
And so we unveiled our hotel rooms,
and when we were doing that, I was
we were walking our guests
and I said, well, this is a rendering.
And they're like, oh, I thought
that was just a picture of this room.
And I said, no.
And they go,
so really everything that we've seen in
these renderings
is what it's going to look like.
And I'm like, absolutely.
And so it's
so when you're seeing renderings of
the property, you can feel very confident
that that space is going to be
very similar to what you're looking at.
And as more things come on board
and we're ready to share more things,
we'll show you. Yeah.
The photos, you just see it because it's
when you see it, you get excited.
Yeah. A do we do have about a minute left.
So if you want to tell us
like how can people get in touch with you
if they're looking to work or
if they're looking to schedule our what.
What would be your last words
you would like to share with us? Sure.
Well, what I would say just a few things.
If you're looking, to kind of review
the career opportunities that we have
available, Please come see us.
We'd love to talk to you.
We'd love for you
to be a part of the excitement of love.
And really, I'll leave you guys
with the same thing that I leave
everyone with
is get ready to go live in 2025.
Very nice.
Fantastic job.
Man. Live hotel. Casino.
What a marketing manager.
We're all ready.
Yeah, yeah, I'm ready for you guys.
Let's have some fun.
So, Shannon and you wrap us up.
That's what band four would do.
Okay, well, on behalf of my co-host,
Paul Riser and Josh, the marketing manager
of Live Hotel Casino, we just want to
thank you for watching and listening.
And again, this podcast will be available
for viewing anywhere
you get your podcasts.
And we do this every other Wednesday,
so we'll be talking to our audience soon.
But thank you for joining us.