SSA Group, a best-in-class provider of integrated guest services, has been selected by the Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience (LMHE) as its exclusive retail partner.
The 10-year agreement reflects a key step forward in the development of LMHE’s $165 million permanent museum destination in New Orleans.
This development will tell the story of Louisiana’s music, from African-American, Native American, French, and Spanish influences to today's genres, spanning jazz, blues, gospel, Cajun, Zydeco, R&B, funk, and rock and roll.
Immersive exhibitions, live music, storytelling with music, and interactives will trace the state's rich history. These will be accompanied by training and educational resources for both live entertainment professionals and students ranging from elementary school through to adult learners.
Working with SSA, LMHE seeks to extend the museum experience through its retail offer, creating new opportunities to connect with Louisiana music, artists, and culture, while generating support for the organisation’s mission and ongoing sustainability.
Celebrating Louisiana’s musical heritage
Under this agreement, SSA Group will design, develop, and run LMHE’s retail activities.
Its approach will include locally inspired merchandise, artist collaborations, publications, gifts, and speciality products. These will be curated to reflect the individuals, communities, and traditions that have impacted Louisiana’s influence on music worldwide.
SSA brings decades of experience in serving museums, zoos, aquariums, and cultural destinations across North America, creating retail programmes that complement their mission and narratives.
Its locations include a longstanding relationship with New Orleans' Audubon Nature Institute.
Among SSA's other projects is the Columbus Zoo Marketplace in Ohio, which was recently awarded two prestigious design awards: Fixture of the Year in the Shop! Design Awards, and a silver award in the 2026 MUSE Design Awards retail shop design category.
At Honolulu Zoo in Hawaii, SSA is responsible for managing admissions and recently implemented the zoo's first state-of-the-art digital ticketing system.
Rebecca Hardy has over 10 years' experience in the culture and heritage sector. She studied Fine Art at university and has written for a broad range of creative organisations including artists, galleries, and retailers. When she's not writing, she spends her time getting lost in the woods and making mud pies with her young son.
