VP Chamber unveils new conference room

There was a celebratory mood during the Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce’s After Hours meeting held this past Wednesday evening.
More than three dozen chamber members were on hand for the official ribbon cutting of the chamber’s new conference room. Father Thomas Voorhies was also on hand to led the packed room in a prayer before blessing the space.
“We didn’t have something like this before,” Chamber President Renee Brown said. “It was difficult for us to hold meetings. We needed a proper place to meet.”
Members of the chamber mingled with one another while enjoying catered food and beverages, including some of the adult variety, in the light-green painted room decorated with posters of Evangeline Parish’s numerous festivals and events.
Brown took time to thank the night’s sponsors and had them each speak to the group, which included Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court Randy Deshotel, Cabot Corporation’s Maggie Ortego and Luke Deville with Teet’s Grocery.
The room, which was built due to a grant the chamber obtained, has already been used to host campaign stops in the past month for Lieutenant Governor candidates John Young and Billy Nungesser. The chamber’s previous smaller space was used by Census takers, dispositions and even training for corporate groups but it lacked the polish and size of the new space.
“It feels wonderful,” Chamber of Commerce Director Camille Fontenot said. “We never had a pretty place like this. We desperately needed this room. It is a great beginning for what we want to do as a group. We are looking forward to having more people visit us.”
Added Brown, “We are very excited about it. It is part of our Chamber of Commerce moving in the right direction.”