Celebrate Canal! hosts inaugural coalition meeting to revive Canal Street

Written By Alicia Vial

NEW ORLEANS – Celebrate Canal!, a new citizen-led coalition aimed at revitalizing Canal Street, hosted its inaugural meeting yesterday at The Sazerac House to unveil the organization’s vision to bring together a cross section of citizens, business owners and city leaders to restore Canal Street as a cornerstone of life in New Orleans. 

The mission of the Celebrate Canal! Coalition is to transform Canal Street, which welcomes more than eight million visitors annually, into a world-renowned vibrant, diverse and pedestrian-friendly hub that celebrates its rich cultural heritage, fosters economic growth and creates a welcoming experience for residents and visitors alike. 

“Canal Street has historically been a family destination for shopping, entertainment and, of course, food. Many New Orleanians have fond memories of strolling down Canal Street, holding onto their parents’ hands, peering into beautifully decorated shop windows before stopping to sit at the counter of a busy spot and sip on a fountain drink or milk shake,” said coalition Founder Sandra Herman. “With help from other interested citizens, the coalition will work to return Canal Street to a contemporary version of that: a destination for family outings, date nights or just hanging out with friends.”

With nearly 100 people in attendance, the meeting was hosted at The Sazerac House and speakers included Herman, Councilmember Lesli Harris, Downtown Development District President and CEO Davon Barbour, New Orleans Chamber President Sandra Linquist and the Historic New Orleans Collection President and CEO Daniel Hammer. Additional attendees represented key community businesses and organizations including the City Planning Commission, New Orleans & Co., New Orleans Business Alliance, the Greater New Orleans Foundation and GNO, Inc. 

 During the meeting, Herman outlined the coalition’s two-part approach to achieve its mission. The first strategy revolves around regular coalition meetings to discuss and make plans informed by key findings of a 2018 study of Canal Street, which is currently being updated by the City Planning Commission. With these meetings, the coalition will create working committees to focus on retail, upper floor occupancy, placemaking and transportation. The second strategy is a series of events to bring families back to Canal Street. 

Plans are already underway for the first event, a campaign called Windows on Canal!, where businesses will be paired with local artists from Where Y’Art Works to create beautiful storefront window displays. Complementary experiential events will be hosted including champagne strolls, art and architecture strolls, scavenger hunts for kids, a Taste of Canal stroll, and a fashion show. Windows on Canal! will launch in 2025 and be on display for three months. 

The coalition’s advisory board includes Herman, Katelyn Denty (executive director), Laurie Guimont, Karen Coaxum, Taryn Brown, Sylvia Vellino, Sara Lewis, Stephanie Burks, Morris Kahn, Valerie Grubb, Carol Short, Jessica Serrano and Nicole Ferrier. Blue-Ribbon advisors include Mrs. Gayle Benson, attorney Russ Herman, Andre Rubenstein of Rubensteins, Matthew Brown of Canal Place, Gregory Curtis of The Windsor Court, Peggy Scott Laborde, Betsie Gambel, architect John Williams, artist Terrance Osbourne, Bill Goldring of The Sazerac House and Sazerac Brands and Coleman Adler of Adler’s Jewelry. 

To learn more about Celebrate Canal! visit celebratecanal.com.

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About Celebrate Canal!
Formed by the New Orleans Entertainment Coalition, Celebrate Canal! is a citizen-led coalition dedicated to the revitalization of Canal Street as a historic, cultural and economic cornerstone of life in New Orleans. The coalition brings together a cross section of citizens, business owners and city leaders to restore Canal Street to attract visitors and locals alike, boost the economy and create a vibrant and bustling atmosphere reflective of the world-famous city of New Orleans.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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