Scenes from The Scout Guide 2019 Editor Conference

Last week, The Scout Guide editors from across the country gathered in New Orleans, Louisiana, for the 2019 TSG Editor Conference. It was the first time the conference has been held outside of TSG Headquarters’s hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia, and the Big Easy did not disappoint. With its southern charm, exceptional small businesses, and TSG New Orleans editor/owner Taylor Morgan at the helm playing host, the Crescent City proved to be the perfect place for our “Krewe of TSG” to convene.

A cocktail party at the private home of Jane Scott Hodges, founder of Leontine Linens, marked the official start of the conference. The consummate host offered delicious appetizers from caterer Patti Constantin, including Cajun Caviar that paired perfectly with the Paloma cocktails that were served. Following a welcome remarks and an introduction from Taylor Morgan, Hodges provided a special master class on creating a beautiful table setting, with her collection of bespoke linens on full display. A surprise second line capped off the unforgettable evening.

The next morning, at the Windsor Court Hotel—which served as a luxurious home away from home for our Editors—The Scout Guide co-founders Christy Ford and Susie Matheson and The Scout Guide New Orleans team led panels on best practices, and shared inspiring tips for ways to run a business, promote local businesses and business owners, and connect with your community.

After the presentations, the editors and co-founders headed to Magazine Street to scout the six-mile-long stretch of unique independent businesses. The first stop was B. Viz, where owner Rebecca Vizard discussed how she built her business, as well as her process for transforming antique textiles into gorgeous pillows favored by top designers. Following the visit to B. Viz, editors headed out to meet business owners, shop, and experience everything Magazine Street had to offer, including a book bar featuring The Scout Guide city guides from all over the country at home furnishings store Perch.

Post-scouting, everyone gathered at Cavan on Magazine Street for a cocktail hour, during which Shaun Smith, interior designer and owner of Shaun Smith Home, talked about his experience as a member of The Scout Guide. During the dinner that followed, awards were given out to individual editors celebrating their successes from the past year.

The final event of the conference was, fittingly, a breakfast at Brennan’s restaurant—a New Orleans institution. After eye-opener cocktails in the courtyard, owner Ralph Brennan shared the history of the restaurant, and then general manager Christian Pendleton gave a lively demonstration of the restaurant’s signature dessert, Bananas Foster. Just when you thought you couldn’t top flaming bananas, everyone headed back out into the courtyard, where Taylor Morgan sabered champagne—the perfect way to say goodbye to a truly memorable conference.

Photography by Paul Morse of Paul Morse Photography and Torey Murray of The Scout Guide.