Tours & Entertainment

Nonstop Networking. On-Point Education. Live Jazz in a Hot Destination. Yes, please!

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Chauffeur Driven Executive Retreat

May 1-3, 2016 • JW Marriott New Orleans

Platinum Sponsors

Hurricane Reception at Mardi Gras World

Sunday, May 1st 6:30pm-7:00pm

Parades filled with colorful and whimsical floats have been a part of Mardi Gras tradition for more than a century. Mardi Gras World, located right on the Muddy Mississippi, channels that excitement with more than 400,000 square feet dedicated to the craft of float-making, with hundreds of pieces on display. Before experiencing the magic, you’ll be treated to a traditional Hurricane to help set the festive atmosphere.

Dinner at Grand Oaks Mansion

Sunday, May 1st 7:00pm-9:30pm

After the self-guided tour, you’ll be “transported” to an antebellum mansion for our first dinner of the Retreat. Grand Oaks Mansion, an indoor replica of a Southern plantation located on the Mardi Gras World property, captures all the charm of the Old South. You’ll feast on N’awlins cuisine and dance the night away to a live jazz band, the Gumbo Trio.

Bourbon Street Stroll

Sunday, May 1st 10:00pm-12:00am

When the French engineer Adrien de Pauger laid out the streets of New Orleans in 1721, he chose one to carry the name of the French Royal Family ruling at the time: Rue Bourbon. Since then, Bourbon Street has become one of the world's most recognizable party destinations.

Join us as we extend the night by putting on our party beads and taking a stroll down the most famous destination in New Orleans, where the wild meets the sophisticated in a seemingly endless row of bars, restaurants, shops, and clubs.

We’ll be sure to stop at Pat O’Brien’s, where revelers can sample one of New Orleans’ most famous cocktails, The Hurricane. Other spots not to be missed include the Tropical Isle—home of the Hand Grenade cocktail—and the historic Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, America's oldest bar. Visitors looking for something a little more supernatural are encouraged to check out Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo for a Tarot reading or unusual souvenirs.

With its laid-back attitude and festive atmosphere, Bourbon Street is a carnival of music and fun that you will never forget.

Dixieland Dinner Cruise on the Steamboat Natchez

Monday, May 2nd 7:00pm-9:30pm

Once upon a time, the Mississippi River was filled with paddle-wheel steamboats moving goods from points north all the way to the delta. Steamboats are nearly all but a memory except for the Natchez, the last steamboat of its kind on the Mississippi. During this private event, you’ll have an authentic riverboat experience as you tour the entire boat, including the engine room, and hear the sweet sounds of the calliope before departing. As we cruise down the river and enjoy a buffet dinner, you’ll experience the exceptional skyline views of the Big Easy with music from a live jazz band.

Live Jazz at Maison on Frenchmen Street

Monday, May 2nd 10:00pm-12:00am

They say that the music never stops on New Orleans’ Frenchmen Street, where the best in live jazz, funk, and blues can be found seven nights a week, 365 days a year. And there is no better live music venue than the Maison on Frenchmen.

Offering an authentic New Orleans experience, the Maison is where the locals hang out to hear great music. Located in a historic 19th century building, this swanky venue hosts a diverse, jazz-oriented lineup on three stages, and offers food, drinks, and dancing. Chauffeur Driven has reserved two private rooms for the evening, which will give Retreat attendees the chance to network and kick back with some of the best music in the city.

French Quarter Carriage Tours

Tuesday, May 3rd 4:00pm-6:00pm

In a city with as much history as New Orleans, it only makes sense to experience it like they did in the past. Just like the Steamboat Natchez dinner cruise, the French Quarter carriage tour gives you the chance to see the sights and sounds of this historic town in a rustic way. Experienced, licensed tour guides will share anecdotes and true-life tales about the Quarter and its colorful residents that are sure entertain and enlighten. And if you’re lucky, they might even throw in a ghost story or two.

Each half-hour tour will take you around the French Quarter neighborhood and give you a one-of-a-kind opportunity to see cultural landmarks and the distinctive architecture unique to the city. And if nothing else, carriage ride offers you a relaxing way to spend an early evening after late-night fun.

Crazy in the Quarter at Maison Bourbon

Tuesday, May 3rd 9:30pm-12:30am

We return to iconic Bourbon Street for our final night together for some—you guessed it—incredible live jazz and awesome cocktails. But this is no casual stroll to Bourbon: We’ll have our very own band playing us to our venue as we tagalong second-line style. A second line is a time-honored tradition in NOLA where the crowd is as much of the parade as the musicians, so grab a parasol to twirl and dance on down with us from the JW Marriott to Maison Bourbon.

You’ll be intoxicated by the sounds of jazz floating from its doors before you even enter Maison Bourbon, our destination for the evening, which proclaims “dedicated to the preservation of jazz” as its motto. With tables just inches away from the band, as well as a second-floor room for more breathing space and an expansive balcony, expect to be swept into the moment. Where you end the night is up to you!

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Testimonials

The entire show was terrific. I didn’t feel the need to be “on duty” all the time like at the big shows. The hotel was fabulous and for someone who normally doesn’t go to concerts or like country music, I was hooked. Sign me up for N’awlins!

George Jacobs

Windy City Limousine

The opportunity to network was well thought out, from a workshop schedule that started at a reasonable time (given the late-night activities!) to the educational programs. They exceeded my expectations ... making the first CD Executive Retreat the “hard-to-beat event of the year!"

Ed Kahakauwila

President L.A. Limousines & Transportation Services in Victoria, British Columbia

I was very impressed with the organization of the entire event and enjoyed the educational seminars. The overall experience with an intimate crowd made it easy to network with other operators. Job well-done!

Raj Nagi

President & CEO Intralink Transportation in Burnaby, British Columbia

I had a great time at the Chauffeur Driven Retreat. The presentation from Jennifer Blackmon from The Ritz-Carlton Leadership was not only informative but also illuminating! I found many of The Ritz-Carlton standards to be similar to the excellence and quality we strive for every day at Black Tie Transportation. It was great to see the system behind the hotel and gain insight to continue to offer the best customer experience in the business. And the honky-tonk crawl was pretty awesome, too!

Bill Wheeler

President & CEO Black Tie Transportation in Pleasanton, Calif.

The focus on key industry challenges was helpful and well-done. The presenters brought their material to a useful level and didn't engage in theoretical discussion, making the information practical and immediately useful. The financial presentation was great: Frank wanted to go deeper but wasn't able to, but he was fantastic nonetheless. Kristen’s and The Ritz-Carlton’s presentations also were amazing.

Sean Duvall

CEO Golden Limousine International in Ann Arbor, Mich.