New Orleans paddlewheels transforms Riverboat Louis Armstrong into Cheese of the Seas in partnership with Cheetos®

Written By Alicia Vial

NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Paddlewheels is making waves with a bold new activation in partnership with Cheetos®. The Riverboat Louis Armstrong has been transformed into “Cheese of the Seas,” wrapped in vibrant Cheetos branding and crowned with an eye-catching, oversized inflatable Chester Cheetah alongside giant Cheetos.  

“New Orleans Paddlewheels is all about creating unforgettable experiences on the river and what better way to bring fun to the water than with Chester Cheetah soaking up the Mississippi River vibes?” said Craig Smith, president and CEO of Hospitality Enterprise, the parent company of New Orleans Paddlewheels, which operates both the Louis Armstrong and the Creole Queen. 

The Cheese of the Seas can be seen on the Mississippi River, offering a one-of-a-kind sight for locals and visitors alike. While Chester Cheetah enjoys the ride, fans can experience the Mississippi River from New Orleans Paddlewheels’ riverboat Creole Queen for signature jazz, dinner and battlefield cruises, available daily at bigeasy.com 

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About Hospitality Enterprises
Hospitality Enterprises/BigEasy.com is a family-owned group of companies representing New Orleans travel, transportation, meeting planning, attractions and entertainment through its Riverboat Louis Armstrong (The Cheese of the Seas this weekend), The Paddlewheeler Creole Queen, Airport Shuttle New Orleans and Jean Lafitte Swamp Tours.

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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