We’re honored to introduce George Demmas, owner, and his daughter, Tsana Demmas, Sales Manager for Generations Hall.
What does it take to carry a family business forward while continuing to evolve? George Demmas and his daughter, Tsana, share the story behind Generations Hall—a historic New Orleans sugar refinery transformed into a large-scale, multi-use event venue.
Through two generations of experience, they’ll offer a candid look at working alongside family, responding to a changing events industry, and balancing the character of a historic property with the demands of modern clients. They’ll also discuss some of the challenges, decisions, and lessons that have shaped the business—and reveal the meaning behind the name Generations Hall.
Speaker Bios:
Tsana Demmas grew up in New Orleans and is a graduate of Louisiana State Univiersity. After graduating, she moved to Washington, D.C., drawn to the city’s professional opportunities and inspired in part by her grandmother’s career in politics. After several years in Washington, Tsana was eager to return to New Orleans. As the city began recovering from COVID-19 and the events industry started reopening, she saw the perfect opportunity to move home and join the family business—something she had always hoped to do.
Tsana joined Generations Hall in September 2021, and serves as the Sales Manager, overseeing private event sales. Working alongside her father, George, she is helping grow and evolve the business while preparing to carry its legacy into the next generation.
George Demmas is a lifelong New Orleanian who attended Louisiana State University. His career has taken several interesting turns—from aspirations of playing professional tennis to working in financial and estate planning alongside his father beginning in 1985.
In 1990, George and his father expanded their family business ventures with Generations Hall. What began as a real estate investment and nightclub evolved into one of New Orleans’ largest special events venues. Today, George continues to lead Generations Hall, carrying the family legacy forward while working alongside his daughter, Tsana, who joined the business in 2021 to lead private event sales.
We’re excited to announce that April Lanotte, Pre-Apprenticeships, CTE Engagement, and Workforce Development at NASA, will join our roster of business speakers at ACTE’s CareerTech VISION in New Orleans!
NASA missions require teams of experts from nearly every facet of life. Using NASA’s Quesst mission, explore how technicians, marketing and communications specialists, engineers, legal experts, partnerships and small business liaisons, machinists, budget and finance experts, and even social scientists all collaborate to complete a NASA mission. Use the work NASA does to expand your own program’s ecosystem, find ways to infuse aerospace into the work you and your students do, and open up more possibilities for your programs and your students.
April Lanotte is a career educator who has spent the past 15 years working with NASA’s aeronautics research efforts and the Office of STEM Engagement. Her career has spanned work with middle school through university students, formal and informal education, inner city and border towns. April is currently a doctoral candidate at Oklahoma State University in Aviation and Space Education, focusing on student persistence in aerospace-focused skilled trades.
We are thrilled to welcome Jeremy Collins, Associate Vice President of Programs at The National WWII Museum, as a featured business speaker at ACTE’s CareerTech VISION in New Orleans!
Join Jeremy Collins, Associate Vice President of Programs at The National WWII Museum, for his session titled “Bringing History and Innovation to Life with The National WWII Museum“.
He will explore how the museum has grown, adapted, and evolved throughout its 26 years to become a major draw and economic driver in New Orleans. From a simple idea concocted by two history professors in a backyard to a seven-pavilion campus spanning seven acres in the city’s Warehouse District, the Museum serves not only its visitors and members, but the New Orleans community and the nation at large through its innovative, entrepreneurial, and educational ventures. Collins will describe the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of America’s National WWII Museum.
Whether you’re running a restaurant or managing a classroom, here is the reality: you are in the hospitality business.
Join Gerald Duhon as he brings his two passions for education and all things food-related. Don’t miss “Congratulations! You Are in the Hospitality Business—Ready or Not,” for a high-energy, eye-opening session that explores why basic customer service isn’t enough. Attendees will discover the game-changing difference between fulfilling a transaction and delivering true hospitality, and how mastering this shift can radically transform your workplace culture, student engagement, and final results. No matter what you teach, attendees will leave with actionable strategies from NOCHI’s world-class training model to inspire, retain, and equip the next generation of industry-ready leaders.
Gerald Duhon is the President & CEO of the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) where he ties together his passions for education and all things food related.
NOCHI runs an accessible Certificate Program producing 60-70 chefs annually in both the Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts. NOCHI has also pioneered Hospitality Investment Training (HIT) for connecting workers in need of onboarding or in search of upskilling opportunities. This year, 1,500 students will partner with NOCHI for culinary and hospitality educational offerings.
With a background in fundraising, Gerald has worked in the New Orleans non-profit sector for 30 years. He spent six years leading the team at Reconcile New Orleans guiding the organization through a successful turnaround. He also served as Chief Philanthropy Officer at Second Harvest Food Bank, Executive Director at the Young Leadership Council, and Development Director at the Louisiana Children’s Museum.
Gerald currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Hope Ignites and is very active at his alma mater Jesuit High School.
In his spare time, Gerald cooks and bakes epic meals throughout the fall to coincide with whenever the New Orleans Saints take the field. The last weekend in April and first weekend in May are his favorite days of the year. He has joyfully attended Jazz Fest daily since 1999.
He and his family are life-long New Orleanians. His son is currently an assistant baseball coach at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. He attends about 30 games each spring to watch the Patriots take the field.
Featured Conclave Speaker Returns!
In JD’s session, “ONE LOVE, Thousands of Crew Members,” you’ll learn how Raising Cane’s uses extreme operational focus and frontline culture to scale one of the fastest-growing large restaurant brands in the U.S. By requiring all executives to certify as Fry Cooks and Cashiers, the company fosters operational empathy, simplicity, and industry-leading employee retention across 900+ locations.
Attendees will learn how simplifying business models, embedding talent acquisition into local community partnerships, and reinvesting net profits back into neighborhoods drive massive brand equity and power a high-performing workforce.
Join Kyle for his session, “From Backyard Shed to Official Major League Bat: The Growth From Startup to Enterprise,” where he will explore the key moments that shaped the company—from handcrafted bats made in a backyard shed to the Official Bat of Major League Baseball. Discover how Marucci overcame major challenges, built new business divisions, and expanded into a multi-brand, multi-sport leader. Attendees will leave with practical takeaways on leadership, innovation, and sustaining growth without losing an entrepreneurial mindset.
About Kyle Achord: With more than 30 years of experience spanning education, coaching and business leadership, Kyle Achord brings a unique perspective on building successful teams and organizations. Before joining Marucci Sports, he served as a classroom teacher, coach, athletic director, principal and head of school, earning eight state championships and 10 Coach of the Year honors along the way. Since joining Marucci in 2011, Achord has built the company’s Team Sales division from the ground up, while leading a national team focused on serving athletic programs across the country. Today, as Vice President of Team Sales, he oversees key business divisions and is passionate about sharing the leadership principles that drive success in both education and business.
About Marucci Sports: Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Marucci Sports was founded in 2004 by two former Big League players and LSU’s head athletic trainer, who began handcrafting bats from a backyard shed for some of the best players in the game. Marucci has grown to be a premier brand in diamond sports across all product categories. Marucci Sports is now home to Marucci, Victus, Lizard Skins, Baum Bat and The Stable. As of 2025, Marucci and Victus are the Official Bats of Major League Baseball, while Lizard Skins is the Official Bat Grip of Major League Baseball. Marucci Sports is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fox Factory. Learn more at maruccisports.com.