Join the Team: Volunteer Opportunities

At The Harbor Center, our volunteers are the heart of the Northshore. By choosing to volunteer at The Harbor Center with The Friends of The Harbor Center in Slidell, you aren't just helping run an event—you are becoming an ambassador for our community and a vital part of the region's cultural and economic life.

As a community-supported event venue near New Orleans, we rely on the passion and dedication of local residents to help us host over 70,000 visitors each year. Whether you are looking for St. Tammany Parish volunteer opportunities to give back or want to gain behind-the-scenes experience in the event industry, we have a place for you with The Friends of The Harbor Center.

Join the Friends of The Harbor Center and help enhance our facility through community-led philanthropy

Do you want to get more involved in making St. Tammany a great place to live? Consider joining the Friends of The Harbor Center. This non-profit 501-(c)-3 organization is made up of like-minded volunteers who work to raise development funds for maintaining the venue and for sponsoring quality events on behalf of The Harbor Center. The mission of the Board is to:

  • To develop and execute creative ways to raise funds.

  • To seek out other funding methods such as grants, endowments, gift opportunities or Harbor Center sponsorship opportunities.

  • To coordinate with The Harbor Center staff to utilize the funds for producing events, bidding on events, or purchasing items to enhance the center’s aesthetics or marketability.

  • Host community events such at The Louisiana Food Truck Festival, Annual Senior Luncheon and USMC Reserve Holiday Concert.

There are numerous ways to participate — you can volunteer your time and talent to one of their annual events or your company may consider a sponsorship of an event for advertising purposes or to be used as tax deductible gifts to The Harbor Center. Careful planning can make charitable giving a true personal and financial advantage, to the donor as well as The Harbor Center.

Revenues of the Friend’s of The Harbor Center Corporation are to be dedicated to the exclusive or sole benefit of The Harbor Center.

Our Friends of The Harbor Center Board:

  • Joseph Montelepre, Chair

  • Pete Hanson, Treasurer

  • Nancy Barthelemy

  • Barbara Doyle

  • Dee Geraci

  • Chris Kent

  • Yolanda Paz

  • Paul Pratt

  • Don Shea

  • Kelly Walgamotte

Beyond government oversight, we are supported by the Friends of The Harbor Center, a nonprofit event venue funding structure (501-(c)-3). This organization consists of volunteers and local leaders dedicated to raising development funds for:

  • Sponsoring high-quality community events.

  • Enhancing the center’s aesthetics and marketability.

  • Securing grants, endowments, and corporate sponsorships.

This public and private funding for our event venue allows us to offer programming and amenities that go above and beyond the standard scope of a municipal facility.

How The Friends of The Harbor Center Helps Develop Slidell, Louisiana

The Harbor Center is a community-funded event venue in Slidell that gives back more than it receives. Recent studies show that for every dollar received in hotel tax, The Harbor Center contributes over $5.00 in total economic output to the St. Tammany Parish economy.

By providing financial support for a convention center on the Gulf Coast, our stakeholders are investing in:

  • Job Creation: Supporting dozens of local full-time and part-time positions.

  • Tourism Revenue: Bringing thousands of out-of-town visitors to Slidell’s hotels, restaurants, and shops.

  • Quality of Life: Providing a modern space for graduations, festivals, and cultural performances.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Getting started as a volunteer is a straightforward process designed to connect you with the heart of our community. To volunteer at The Harbor Center, Slidell, you can visit our official website and navigate to the "Join the Team" or "Volunteer" section. There, you will find a digital interest form where you can share your background, availability, and specific interests. This portal is the primary way we manage our St. Tammany Parish volunteer opportunities, ensuring that local residents can easily find roles that match their skills. Once your information is submitted, our administrative team reviews your details and adds you to our active volunteer database. This proactive step allows you to receive direct notifications about upcoming Northshore Louisiana event volunteer needs, keeping you at the forefront of the most exciting gatherings on the Northshore.

  • As a versatile community-supported event venue near New Orleans, we host a wide variety of gatherings that rely on dedicated volunteers. With the Friends of the Harbor Center, you can volunteer for public events such USMC Reserve Band Holiday, Louisiana Food Truck Festival and more in Slidell, assisting with guest services, hospitality and more. By participating, you help ensure these large-scale events run smoothly while directly contributing to the economic development and community gathering mission of The Harbor Center.

  • We look for volunteers who are friendly, reliable, and passionate about community involvement at The Harbor Center. No specific prior experience is necessary, as we provide the training and guidance needed for each role, whether you are a festival volunteer in Slidell, LA, or assisting with the Senior Citizen Luncheon. The primary requirement is a commitment to providing excellent guest service and representing Slidell with pride. Because we are a government-backed conference center in Louisiana, we maintain high professional standards. We value volunteers who can follow instructions, work well in a team, and remain flexible as event needs evolve throughout the day.

  • Yes, choosing to volunteer with The Friends of The Harbor Center in Slidell, is an excellent way to build a resume for a career in hospitality or event management. By working behind the scenes, you gain practical experience in crowd management, vendor relations, and venue logistics. This hands-on exposure to our "exhibit authority" and professional conference center oversight in Slidell is invaluable for students and young professionals. Many of our volunteers find that their time at the venue provides a unique understanding of how large-scale productions are executed. Highlighting your event volunteer opportunities in Louisiana on a CV demonstrates a strong work ethic and a direct familiarity with the high-stakes environment of a premier St. Tammany Parish event venue.

  • The easiest way to get involved with The Friends of The Harbor Center is to complete our inquiry form. This digital portal allows you to select your areas of interest, such as volunteer for The Louisiana Food Truck Festival in Slidell or supporting events through sponsorship solicitation or event planning.

  • If you have specific questions about our St. Tammany Parish volunteer opportunities or need more information before applying, please reach out to our administrative office. You can contact us through the general inquiry form on our website or by calling 985-781-3650. Our team is always happy to discuss how your specific skills can support our mission of economic development and community gathering. Whether you are asking about the physical requirements of a role or the schedule for an upcoming festival, we are here to ensure your experience with The Harbor Center community partners in Slidell is rewarding and clear. We value our volunteers as essential partners and look forward to helping you find the perfect way to support the Northshore’s premier event destination.