New Name, Same Spirit: How a Lafayette Group is Turning Good Vibes Into Bigger Community Events

The story begins with Gus Rezende, a Brazilian who settled in Acadiana and grew a hospitality business that now includes popular spots like Central Pizza and Tropical Smoothie. With his long‑time partner B. J. Crist, the team launched a series of beloved festivals such as Sugar Jam and the Acadiana Po‑Boy Festival. After 15 years, they felt their company was ready for a fresh identity. They renamed the event‑production arm to Serving Good Vibes, signaling a shift from being a catch‑all organization to a focused, self‑sufficient operation. The new name reflects their desire to step back from daily tasks and let managers take the lead, while Rezende concentrates on building relationships with sponsors and community leaders.Serving Good Vibes is opening a downtown Lafayette office at 425 Jefferson St. The launch will be accompanied by a Sugar Jam event on Saturday evening in Youngsville. These gatherings aim to reconnect with long‑time partners and expand beyond the parish. The company plans to grow regionally by leveraging its established structure. It will revisit past collaborations with mayors and local governments, turning those relationships into new hospitality and event‑production opportunities. Rezende stresses that keeping the company’s core values—authenticity, community focus, and creative festivals—is essential to retaining loyal attendees. Early in its history, the team learned that rushing growth can overwhelm staff and dilute value. By taking deliberate pauses, they now make decisions that benefit both the business and the community, ensuring long‑term sustainability.