Lafayette Association of Professional Landmen upcoming events

LAPL October Board Meeting (13 Oct 2026)

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Gulf Coast Land Institute (14 Oct 2026)

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 05:00:00 GMT

2026 Gulf Coast Land Institute

October 14–15, 2026
Lake Charles, Louisiana

Join the American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL) for the 2026 Gulf Coast Land Institute. This two-day regional institute will feature educational sessions focused on current issues affecting land and energy professionals throughout the Gulf Coast, along with opportunities to network with fellow industry professionals.

Highlights include:
• Professional education sessions
• Gulf Coast and regional industry topics
• Networking reception on Wednesday evening
• Breakfast and additional education sessions on Thursday

Registration: Registration for this event is handled directly through AAPL. Early registration rates are available through September 25, 2026.

EVENT DETAILS & REGISTRATION

This is an AAPL event. Please visit the AAPL website for the latest schedule, speakers, pricing and registration information.

8th Annual LAPL Fishing Tournament (16 Oct 2026)

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 10:30:00 GMT

Friday, October 16, 2026

Location: Hebert's Marina

620 Big Lake Street, Lake Charles, LA

5:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Lunch will be provided around noon

FISHING TOURNAMENT CALCUTTA

Thursday, October 15 | 5:00–7:00 PM

Mazen Grill | Lake Charles, LA

Join us Thursday evening for the Fishing Tournament Calcutta—an opportunity to catch up with industry friends over great food, with drinks on us.

217 W College St, Lake Charles, LA 70605

Will include door prizes, open bar and heavy hors d'oeuvres

This year, the tournament follows the 2026 Gulf Coast Land Institute, held October 14–15 at the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles. If you’re joining us for the Institute, we hope you’ll stay for Thursday evening’s festivities and a day on the water Friday.

8TH ANNUAL LAPL FISHING TOURNAMENT

Friday, October 16, 2026

Calcasieu Lake | Lake Charles, LA

Calcasieu Lake offers some of the best saltwater fishing in Louisiana and a great setting for a day of competition and camaraderie on the water.

TOURNAMENT BEGINS	WEIGH-IN DEADLINE	WEIGH-IN LOCATION
6:00 AM	1:30 PM	Hebert's Marina

After weighing in your fish, stay for lunch, awards, and door prizes. The event will wrap up by approximately 3:00 PM.

Never fished? No boat? No guide? Need lodging?

WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED

You don’t need to have everything figured out to join us. Whether you’re new to fishing, don’t have a boat, need a guide, or are coming on your own, we’ll help make it easier to get on the water.

Have a group of 2–3 fishermen? If you need a guide with a boat—or possibly lodging for Thursday night—consider reaching out to one of these local charter services:

BRIAN HANCHEY

Louisiana Backwater Charters

337-660-2035

https://louisianabackwatercharters.com/

ERIC RUE

Calcasieu Charter Service

337-598-4700

https://calcasieucharters.com/calcasieu-lake-fishing-charters-lake-charles-fishing-guides/

JEREMY WALTRIP

Waltrip’s Saltwater Guide Service

337-789-9002

https://louisianacharterfishing.com/captain/jeremy-waltrip

Coming by yourself? We can help with that, too.

If you’re a single fisherman and need a spot on a boat, lodging, or help connecting with a guide, reach out to John. We’ll help connect you with a guide and a spot on a boat so you can fish and enjoy the day.

NEED HELP MAKING ARRANGEMENTS?

John Fenstermaker

Vice President, Business Development | Fenstermaker

jwf@fenstermaker.com

337-349-1060

A FEW HELPFUL DETAILS

CHARTER GUIDE SERVICE

Approximately $700–$800 for 1–3 guests. Live bait and gratuity are not included. Guides will clean your fish.

LODGING

One-night lodging packages vary depending on accommodations and whether meals or other amenities are included, generally ranging from $85–$125 per person per night.

TOURNAMENT MORNING TIP

Since weigh-in will be at Calcasieu Point Marina, consider driving there Friday morning and arranging for your guide to meet you there by boat. If your lodging is coordinated through your guide service, check with your guide ahead of time on the best transportation and launch logistics.

Whether you already have your boat and crew lined up or need a little help putting the pieces together, don’t let the logistics keep you from joining us.

Come for the Gulf Coast Land Institute, join us for the Calcutta Thursday evening, and stay for a great day of fishing on Calcasieu Lake.

We look forward to seeing you in Lake Charles!

Sponsorships

Champion - $1,000

Includes 3 Anglers
3 Calcutta Tickets
3 entries for drawings.
Also includes recognition and logo on all event marketing and banners

Platinum- $750

Includes 2 Anglers
2 Calcutta Tickets
2 entries for drawings.
Also includes recognition and logo on all event marketing and banners

Gold- $500

Includes 1 Angler
1 Calcutta Ticket
1 entry for drawings

Also includes recognition and logo on all event marketing and banners

Friends of LAPL - $250

Includes 1 Calcutta Ticket

Also includes recognition and logo on all marketing and banners

Single Angler - $100

Includes 1 Angler

1 Calcutta Ticket

Click HERE for Rules and Entry Forms:

LAPL Fishing Tournament Entry Rules 2026.docx

LAPL Fishing Tournament Entry Form 2026.docx

Each Angler must complete and return one Entry Form and Indemnity Agreement to:

kyle.coburn@exxonmobil.com or jwf@fenstermaker.com

Pay online or mail checks to:

LAPL

Attn: Fishing Tournament

P.O. Box 53491

Lafayette, LA 70505

LOGA State of the Industry (19 Oct 2026)

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Gulf Coast Renaissance 2026 (20 Oct 2026)

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 15:45:00 GMT

U.S. Senator John Kennedy - Lunch and Learn (20 Oct 2026)

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

LAPL Social (29 Oct 2026)

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 22:30:00 GMT

LAPL November Board Meeting (3 Nov 2026)

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 17:30:00 GMT

LAPL Veterans Luncheon (6 Nov 2026)

Fri, 06 Nov 2026 17:30:00 GMT

Andrew Ward

Founder | The Boot

Founder & CEO | Acadiana Veteran Alliance (AVA)

Chairman | Lafayette Veterans Affairs Commission

Member | Louisiana Governor Transition Team (Military Affairs)

Scholar | George W. Bush Institute Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program

Andrew Ward is a combat veteran and former infantryman with the Louisiana Army National Guard who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004 and 2005.

He is the Founder and CEO of Acadiana Veteran Alliance (AVA), a non-profit improving outcomes for veterans and their families through its WORK, HEAL, and GIVE programs. AVA connects veterans to career opportunities, addresses combat related PTSD through innovative behavioral health partnerships, builds stronger veteran communities, and advocates for policies that make Louisiana a better place for veterans to live and thrive. In 2026, Andrew also created Mission: Launch, an entrepreneurship program designed to help veterans launch and grow businesses.

In 2021, Andrew was selected as a Scholar in the George W. Bush Institute’s Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program. In 2024, the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs named him the state’s Veteran of the Year in recognition of AVA’s HEAL Program and its work addressing PTSD and veteran suicide.

Andrew also founded The Boot in 2024 in collaboration with the Louisiana Governor’s Office and Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. The statewide nonprofit focuses on economic development by recruiting and retaining transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses in Louisiana. In less than three years, The Boot has helped place nearly 400 service members into Louisiana careers, generating more than $30 million in economic impact for the state.

Andrew is also a cofounder of PathRecon, a technology platform designed to connect transitioning service members and veterans with education, training, and career pathways while helping states and employers build stronger military talent pipelines.

Andrew currently serves as Chairman of the Lafayette Veterans Affairs Commission, where he helps guide local veteran initiatives and works with government and community leaders to expand opportunities for veterans and their families.

LAPL December Board Meeting (15 Dec 2026)

Tue, 15 Dec 2026 17:30:00 GMT

LAPL Christmas Party (17 Dec 2026)

Fri, 18 Dec 2026 00:00:00 GMT