Tourism Matters October 2023

TOURISM MATTERS

Executive Team

Walter J. Leger III, President and CEO

Alice Glenn, Executive Vice President

Mark Romig, Chief Marketing Officer

Stephanie Turner, SVP, Convention Sales & Strategies

Kim Priez, SVP, Tourism

Kelly Schulz, SVP, Communications and PR

Jeremy Cooker, VP of Marketing

Kevin Ferguson, VP of External Affairs

Tammie Boteler, VP of Finance

Brian Walker, VP of Information Technology

Laura Russett, Director of Administration

Rachel Avery, CMP, Director, Convention Services and Special Events

PHOTO COURTESY OF SIGNATURE NEW ORLEANS

PHOTO BY THERESA VIVIRITO

PHOTO BY STEPHEN YOUNG

PHOTO BY LARRY EVERAGE JR.

COVER PHOTOS

TOP LEFT PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE POLUMBO THE NEW ORLEANS ERNEST N. MORIAL CONVENTION CENTER

TOP CENTER BY ZACK SMITH

TOP RIGHT PHOTO COURTESY OF DENTSU CREATIVE MIDDLE LEFT BY PAUL BROUSSARD

MIDDLE RIGHT BY PAUL BROUSSARD

BOTTOM LEFT BY JUSTEN WILLIAMS BOTTOM CENTER

PHOTO COURTESY OF DENTSU CREATIVE BOTTOM RIGHT BY STEPHEN YOUNG

A MESSAGE THE CEO from

Dear Friends of New Orleans & Company,

Welcome to the October 2023 issue of Tourism Matters, focused on a topic that we are passionate about - why New Orleans is Built to Host. We firmly believe no city is better equipped to host major events, conferences and meetings than New Orleans, thanks to our walkability, world-class hotels and venues, a history of innovation, a welcoming culture and more.

As CEO of New Orleans & Company, I am often told, “It must be easy to sell New Orleans.” Most people seem to think that our iconic city sells itself to visitors. The truth is, there is a lot of love for our great city, but in the end, it takes hard work, constant promotion and customer service. Competition from other cities is tough and the selling environment has never been more complex.

Many of our customers are the meeting planners and event organizers who can bring large groups to the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and other large venues, some are those that can bring countless smaller meetings to be hosted in one or more of our many hotels. Customers today are looking for more than just great venues and service – they want to meet in a place that aligns with their organizational values – so before booking a meeting they consider a city’s laws and state legislative climate. Did you know that our salespeople regularly are asked by customers for data on various laws, information about access to maternal healthcare, about our sustainability practices, and about equality for LGBTQ+ citizens and more?

Once we convince a customer to choose New Orleans for their event, the focus turns to building attendance, successful execution and convincing them to book future meetings with us. It is a continuous cycle.

As I reflect on 2023, the New Orleans hospitality industry has made much progress. The riverfront is transforming with the new Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium, Caesars Casino and other developments. We have attracted events such as NOLA PickleFest, Sugar Bowl Country Kickoff, Miss Universe and Barret Jackson. Billions of dollars have been invested into the Caesars Superdome, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the National World War II Museum and hotels around the city. We have new iconic hotel brands such as Four Seasons, Kimpton Hotel Fontenot and Virgin. Our festival and convention attendance is strong.

These strong investments make our city more appealing, but confirming business takes hard work from the team at New Orleans & Company and our partners. Similar to football, you can have the best training facilities and stadium, but you can’t win without the right players on the field executing the right game plan.

We have the right players, including a convention sales team at New Orleans & Company who book nearly two million hotel room nights annually, our partners at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, strong sales teams at our hotel partner properties and a dedicated community of hospitality professionals, artists, chefs, musicians and culture bearers.

This fall brings many meetings such as the American Academy of Optometry, National Safety Council and The American Society of Mechanical Engineers. We also have Music Month, Music Con, NOLA x NOLA, festivals every weekend and of course Saints and Tulane football, which are all great for visitors as well as all of us who live and work here. Confirmed business for 2024 is shaping up to be much stronger than 2023. And we will be on the world stage as host city for Super Bowl LIX in February 2025.

While we all keep working and selling our beloved hometown, let’s take a moment to celebrate our wins and be proud of why New Orleans is Built to Host.

Sincerely,

Walter J. Leger III President & CEO New Orleans & Company

Member Spotlight GETTING N.O. to

Signature New Orleans

By Rhonda Cook

WHETHER A VISITOR IS COMING TO TOWN

for a meeting, convention, or major event, first impressions matter. For more than 28 years, Signature New Orleans and their professional chauffeurs have greeted thousands of people ready to experience everything our city has to offer. While Signature New Orleans is a provider for Carey International, one of the world’s largest transportation companies, they are proudly locally owned and operated. Frank McNish, Managing Director for Signature New Orleans, says New Orleans is a world class tourism and convention destination, with unbeatable allure.

New

Orleans is a city

that is truly Built to Host. What role does Signature play?

When providing siteinspections for clients, our chauffeur is the first impression they experience at the airport and their final impression at departure. The moment a client gets in our vehicle,

they aren’t just getting a ride, they are provided an experience. Our knowledgeable staff and committed chauffeurs are ambassadors for the city and they play a big role in showing clients why our city is Built to Host .

How do you showcase New Orleans as Built to Host? Conventions, major events and business clients are the bulk of our work, and our team has the experience to execute their needs with worldclass customer service. Whether working through a destination marketing company or if the client comes direct, we never like to say no.

What makes you proud of your organization?

Our office staff, with 125 combined years of logistical transportation experience, is the most talented transportation team in the city. Our chauffeurs, who constant -

ly receive rave reviews, are handpicked to ensure a positive, proactive attitude towards customer service. The client’s privacy and safety are our primary mission. It’s why our chauffeurs undergo thorough background investigations and extensive, ongoing certification and safety training. Signature New Orleans has twice been awarded the “Most Outstanding Carey Franchise,” and twice been awarded “Mid-Size Operator of the Year” by Limousine Digest.

How did the pandemic affect business, and how did you work through it?

Business was down 90 percent for almost a yearand-a-half. Our office offered financial assistance to staff and chauffeurs and helped coordinate to ensure everyone received government money when available. As business slowly came back, roughly 85 percent of our chauffeurs returned and 100 percent of office staff returned. We have such a great team who stuck with us.

Employee Spotlight GETTING N.O. to MaryBeth Guarisco

CMP, Senior Manager, Specialty Services and Programming

What does your job entail?

I joined New Orleans & Company 20 years ago as a member of the Convention Services team. Once a member of our sales team confirms a meeting for New Orleans, we work as a liaison between that customer and our members, convention center, and hospitality community to assist in executing their future meetings successfully. I work with the larger meetings with 10,000 to 30,000 attendees, who plan their meetings several years in advance. We work alongside our customers to be of assistance as they plan and execute their meeting’s agenda and logistics. Our goal is for them to return with another meeting. Among the many things that we do is arrange and conduct site inspections to see options for hotels, restaurants, venues, etc. I have taken clients to see 60 hotels on a single visit. We have the best hospitality community and clients so it’s really a pleasure.

You could do this job in any city. Why New Orleans?

I have lived and worked in New York and Europe but New Orleans is home. My family on both sides have been here for well over 100 years … my mother’s French side since the early 1700s. My seventh great-grandfather, Joseph Chauvin De’Lery, and his three brothers traveled from Montreal looking for the mouth of the river, but they got as far as Biloxi in 1706. They joined Bienville on his second expedition and helped settle what is now New Orleans in 1716. My seven-time great-grandmother, Francoise, was a slave brought here from Togo, Africa. She was a free woman of color when she married my grandfather. My father’s family is Sicilian and came here in the mid-1800s. My mother’s other side who immigrated here in the mid1800s is Spanish and Irish.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

No day is the same, it’s fast paced but exciting. What I

love the most is having the opportunity to work with so many members of our community. The biggest feedback I get from our convention planners and attendees is that the people of New Orleans make the city so special. I have worked to advocate for this city through a devastating hurricane, an economic crash, an oil spill and a pandemic. I am so proud of our people’s resilience.

Why do you love living in New Orleans?

In New Orleans, we embrace the different. We don’t hide it, we celebrate it. We even have a festival for a

vegetable! You see someone walking down the street in a wild costume on a Monday morning, you don’t bat an eye. It’s just another day.

What advice do you have for someone aspiring to a career in Convention Services?

Always stay calm. There is a Plan B. Get all sides of a controversy before taking action, because there is another side to the story. Be kind and treat everyone with respect. Make eye contact and say hello to everyone. Never, ever lose sight of the big picture: it is not about you, it’s about New Orleans.

PHOTO BY THERESA VIVIRITO

NEW ORLEANS, Built to Host

BY KELLY SCHULZ AND STEPHANIE TURNER

When people hear “New Orleans,” the first image that comes to mind often is Mardi Gras and Bourbon Street. Of course, we are world-renowned for our unique celebrations, food, music, and culture. But New Orleans is well-established as one of the most distinguished hosts of major business events, conferences, conventions and meetings in the United States, because of our walkability, world-class hotels and venues, a history of innovation, a welcoming culture and more.

Competition from other cities for convention business is intense, especially coming out of the pandemic, so we need to clearly show how New Orleans is uniquely positioned to host. That’s why in 2021, New Orleans & Company, in partnership with the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (ENMCC), launched a new brand for the city called Built to Host. Geared toward meetings and convention audiences, Built to Host is designed to showcase our many assets such as enhanced walkability, hospitality expertise and other infrastructure that makes us such an attractive location for major events and meetings.

Built to Host is about our way of life, our people, and our welcoming hospitality. It is a unified way of selling and marketing the destination and demonstrates how our entire hospitality community comes together to execute technically complex events while providing an authentic, welcoming culture that is remembered long after a meeting concludes.

Standing Out From The Competition

Built to Host has many components, but its foundation is that welcoming others is in our DNA. Attracting meetings and conventions to our city allows us to highlight and celebrate our authentically diverse people and culture, as well as our excellence in executing complex logistics for events of all types. We believe that travel is a force for good to unify people, knock down barriers and celebrate our differences, and what better place to do that than New Orleans.

The new Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), which opened in 2019, is a huge differentiator. For the past two consecutive years, MSY has received a top award as Best Airport in North America (five to 15 million passengers per year) from the Airports Council International World’s Airport Service Quality (ASQ) program. MSY is one of only three airports in North America to win in this category. The ASQ program is the world’s leading airport customer experience measurement and benchmarking program that measures passengers’ satisfaction on security wait times, helpfulness of airport staff, executive lounges, cleanliness, Wi-Fi access, ambience of the airport and more.

New Orleans has 26,000 hotel rooms within a two-mile radius of the ENMCC, Caesars Superdome and the French Quarter, making the city extremely compact, walkable and convenient. Nearly $1 billion dollars in hotel renovations have been completed, are underway or are in the planning phases. Global, luxury and lifestyle brands continue to invest in New Orleans. For

example, the Four Seasons Hotel and the Virgin Hotel both opened in 2021.

The ENMCC is one of the top 10 largest convention centers in America, making it competitive for large citywide gatherings. It is in the midst of a $557 million improvement plan, including renovations to the interior and a makeover of the exterior experience.

The iconic Caesars Superdome is also in a multi-phase renovation project. Finishing touches will be in place in time for New Orleans to host the 2025 Super Bowl, which also will mark the Superdome’s 50 anniversary. Caesars Entertainment, Inc. is investing $325 million to renovate and rebrand Harrah’s Hotel and Casino with additional plans for a 340-room hotel tower by 2024.

A $400 million expansion of the National World War II Museum is ongoing, and will culminate with the opening of Liberations Pavilion in November. Last year the museum debuted Expressions of America, a state-of-the-art outdoor projection technology experience with wartime letters and oral history.

New cultural attractions such as Vue Orleans, JAM NOLA, and the renovated Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium have opened. The riverfront is transforming. The River District Community Development is a mixed use development of 39 acres adjacent to the ENMCC. It will offer a Top Golf facility, dining, retail and entertainment, and 900 mixed-income housing units. It will serve as a national model of diversity and equity for public-private partnerships.

NEW ORLEANS ERNEST N. MORIAL CONVENTION CENTER

Sustainable Practices

Today convention planners expect cities to offer sustainability options. The Morial Convention Center has achieved its first Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Gold certification, a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement. It is the first convention center in the world to be awarded initial certification under LEED v4.1 O+M.

The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana shell recycling program collects shells from New Orleans restaurants to restore oyster reefs and shoreline habitats in Coastal Louisiana and has become one of the nation’s largest shell recycling programs. More than 13 million pounds of recycled oyster shells from New Orleans restaurants have been returned to the water to create 8,000 feet of reefs that slow erosion and create habitat for new oysters to grow.

The Louisiana Wind Energy Hub at the Beach at UNO, the University’s Research and Technology park, hosts the Gulf’s premier ecosystem for innovation, entrepreneurship, and education in offshore wind energy, which strives to accelerate the growth of the state’s wind energy innovation ecosystem.

Innovation

Having new products for convention attendees is not enough. We must show our customers that we are constantly innovating and evolving for the future.

The Artemis Rocket, the most powerful ever built by NASA, that will take the first woman and person of color to the moon was built right here in New Orleans

at NASA’s Michoud Facility. Michoud is known as “America’s Rocket Factory” and functions as the nation’s premiere site for manufacturing and assembling large scale space structures.

The Port of New Orleans Container Facility is a $1.8 billion state-of-the art facility on the lower Mississippi River. The new Louisiana International Terminal in St. Bernard Parish will be able to serve vessels of all sizes, dramatically increasing Louisiana’s import and export capability and stimulation and the creation of more than 17,000 new jobs statewide by 2050.

A great example of sustainability was held during Mardi Gras 2023 with Recycle Dat! from New Orleans & Company, the City of New Orleans, Grounds Krewe, and Can Manufacturers Institute with support from other nonprofits. Along the St. Charles Avenue parade route this year we collected and recycled an impressive: 1,475 pounds of aluminum, which equates to 50,000 cans, 1,500 pounds of glass, and 11,535 pounds of beads and throws.

The things that make our community more sustainable also make us a more attractive destination for special events.

In closing, competition is often thought of in the sports world. New Orleanians have a storied history cheering our beloved sports teams on to victory. Similarly, the New Orleans hospitality community is competing daily to win and secure meetings and conventions of all sizes and drive our economy. It is in these settings where our community comes together to demonstrate why New Orleans should be selected as the destination above the competition. New Orleans, Built to Host

PHOTO BY STEPHEN YOUNG

PHOTO COURTESY OF COALITION FOR RESTORATION OF COASTAL LOUISIANA PHOTO COURTESY OF NASA

LOUIS ARMSTRONG NEW ORLEANS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

COALITION TO RESTORE COASTAL LOUISIANA

ARTEMIS ROCKET

BEADS the

Registrars: New Orleans Ambassadors

BY CAL PALERMO

New Orleans is one of the few cities in the country that can host citywide conventions with tens of thousands of people. Not only does New Orleans & Company work with organizations across any industry to bring meetings to the city, but we also provide multiple services that help incoming organizations have everything they need to make their meeting successful.

One of the services included is the use of registrars, temporary employees that staff conventions whether they are at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center or a hotel. The job of registrars varies from helping attendees sign in or to helping them navigate the convention center and more. Every registrar is overseen by our staffing coordinator, Ann Dufrene, who works with meeting planners to identify how many registrars are needed for each particular event, as well as the types of jobs that must be staffed.

In 2023 alone, 494 jobs were filled by New Orleans & Company registrars for 35 conventions. Our team spoke with several active registrars to learn more about their background, why they joined and get them to share their experiences with different organizations.

The responses came from one super visor and two registrars. Mary Boggs, our supervisor, formerly worked at the convention center as well as Shell Oil in onshore exploration, one of our registrars, Christine Pellegrino, was a kindergarten teacher looking for a part-time job and our second was Roger Solis, a retired commercial banker, looking for part-time employment. Our three respondents have a combined 50 years working in our registrar program.

When asked what a typical day was like, the common response was there is no “typical” day as a registrar for New Orleans & Company because every assignment is different. In Boggs’ role as supervisor, she arrives to the meeting location early to check in registrars and review their daily assignments as well as coordinate with Dufrene to make sure every registrar has what they need during their shift.

Pellegrino said, “The typical thing about each one is that we all put the attendees first and do whatever we can to make things go smoothly for them and welcome them to our city.”

When asked about a memory, Solis had the most unique answer in what many in the hospitality industry call an “other duties as assigned,” when he dressed as a shark for a convention. He also mentioned when he assisted a floor manager in the production of an empty convention space into an exhibit floor. “Amidst all the activity, the floor manager solves problems, coordinates activities, and makes sure everyone obeys the rules. It was an amazing experience seeing the exhibit area built from the ground up in such a short period of time.”

PHOTO BY LARRY EVERAGE JR.

ROGER SOLIS, CHRISTINE PELLEGRINO AND MARY BOGGS

Unlike Solis’ grand exhibit floor experience, Pellegrino’s favorite memory was in a smaller more intimate meeting. “I worked at a small medical conference at a hotel last year that I still think was my favorite one ever. I was the only registrar and the same practitioners attended meetings each day. They would stop and visit and share stories. When the assignment ended, I was sad that I wouldn’t see them anymore,” said Pellegrino.

Meanwhile when Boggs was asked what she enjoyed most about the work, she mentioned working with her fellow registrars. “They come from various backgrounds, and many are retired, so it’s interesting to hear about their lives.” She also mentioned how special it is welcoming attendees to the city. “We as New Orleans & Company registrars are ambassadors for our city. I talk to them about restaurants and things to do such as riding the streetcar on St. Charles or shopping for souvenirs at the French Quarter flea market. Even sharing our local recipes.” The extra personal touch goes a long way into ensuring attendees have a memorable experience in New Orleans.

If you are interested in joining our pool of registrars and working with these three great ambassadors, reach out to Ann Dufrene, at adufrene@neworleans.com.

ROGER SOLIS

PHOTO BY LARRY EVERAGE JR.

CHRISTINE PELLEGRINO

PHOTO BY LARRY EVERAGE JR.

MARY BOGGS

PHOTO BY LARRY EVERAGE JR.

Voluntourism

BY MARY BETH ROMIG AND ARIELLE DESSE

Born from the tragedy that was Hurricane Katrina came voluntourism, a play on the act of volunteering, coupled with visitors to New Orleans moved to help in the city’s post-hurricane recovery. The tourism part of this new word was rooted in the phenomenon that happened in the association and corporate meetings industry. And it fell on the New Orleans & Company team to wrap their arms around the new spirit to lend meaningful support in guiding the meetings and conventions that slowly began returning as early as March 2006, to aid in the recovery of New Orleans. That spirit continues today, and not just in New Orleans but in the meetings industry across the nation. When a convention or meeting comes to New Orleans, a ripple effect happens in our community. Our economy gets a boost, more job opportunities are available, and our city and state coffers get additional tax dollars. And with the inclusion of voluntourism, our local nonprofits become part of the ripple effect by receiving the resources they need to make a greater impact in our city.

As associations and organizations plan their meetings or conventions in cities like New Orleans, they are implementing voluntourism activities as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR). It allows them

to leave a positive impact on their host city while creating a team building exercise for their attendees.

Voluntourism provides an opportunity for local nonprofits to partner with and get much needed support from the conventions and meetings booked by New Orleans & Company. A great example is when the American Library Association

(ALA) came to New Orleans in June 2006 and was looking for voluntourism activity for their attendees. Through New Orleans & Company, they were connected to 826! New Orleans, a local nonprofit chapter that teaches kids literary skills and encourages them to be proficient in reading and writing. ALA coordinated a volunteer group of their attendees and helped 826! New

Orleans organize their space and inventory their books, publications, and other materials.

Emily Starr, PhD, Manager of Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships at 826 New Orleans said, “I cannot overstate how overwhelming it was to have such enthusiastic support from the amazing ALA volunteers. I was in awe watching so many people working so diligently and so energetically in our space to make it the best that it can be.”

New Orleans can offer conventions and meetings a plethora of volunteer and donation opportunities that fit their CSR mission whether it is sustainability, community improvement, education, human service, or anything in between. At New Orleans & Company, we help provide options and connections to nonprofits that align best with their philanthropic goal. Nonprofits like New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity have partnered with convention and meeting groups to provide team building experiences as well as offer a sustainable solution to reuse or repurpose tradeshow materials into resources they need to uplift our community.

New Orleans & Company continues to expand our network of local nonprofits that can benefit from volunteers and donations from large groups. Nonprofits interested in learning how they can be connected with a convention and meeting can contact us through Community.NewOrleans.com/ Contact-Us.

Leisure Events Calendar BE A TOURIST

October

Art for Art’s Sake

OCTOBER 7

Garden District/Uptown www.neworleans.com/event/ art-for-arts-sake/3200

NOLA x NOLA

THROUGH OCTOBER 8

www.neworleans.com/nolaxnola

Oktoberfest

OCT. 13-14, OCT. 20-21, OCT. 27-28

Deutsches Haus

www.neworleans.com/event/ oktoberfestnola.com

Crescent City Blues and BBQ Fest

OCTOBER 13-15

Lafayette Square Park

www.jazzandheritage.org/events/crescentcity-blues-bbq-festival

Gentilly Fest

OCTOBER 13-15

Pontchartrain Park www.gentillyfestival.com

Black Restaurant Week

OCTOBER 13-22

Various New Orleans Restaurants blackrestaurantweeks.com/ gulfcoast-directory

Boo at the Zoo

OCTOBER 20-22

Audubon Zoo events.audubonnatureinstitute.org/boo

Krewe of Boo

OCTOBER 21

French Quarter

www.kreweofboo.com

Krewe of Boo

OCTOBER 21

French Quarter

www.kreweofboo.com

Treme Fall Fest

OCTOBER 21

St. Augustine Catholic Church

www.tremefest.org

Top Taco

OCTOBER 27

Lafreniere Park

www.toptaconola.com

Halloween

Crescent City Blues and BBQ Fest

OCTOBER 13-15

Lafayette Square Park

www.jazzandheritage.org/events/ crescent-city-blues-bbq-festival

New Orleans (HNO)

OCTOBER 27-29

French Quarter

www.halloweenneworleans.com

PHOTO BY ZACK SMITH

PHOTO BY PAUL BROUSSARD

November

New Orleans Film Fest

NOVEMBER 2-7

Various venues across New Orleans neworleansfilmsociety.org

19th Annual Carnivale du Vin Weekend

NOVEMBER 2-4

Various venues across New Orleans carnivaleduvin.com

Bayou Bacchanal

NOVEMBER 3-4

Congo Square

www.neworleans.com/event/ bayou-bacchanal

Celebration in the Oaks

NOVEMBER 23-JANUARY 1

City Park celebrationintheoaks.com

Bayou Classic

NOVEMBER 24-25

Caesars Superdome mybayouclassic.com

Réveillon Dinners

NOVEMBER 24-DECEMBER 24

Various New Orleans Restaurants holiday.neworleans.com/tradition/ reveillon-dinners

Merriment on Magazine

NOVEMBER 24-DECEMBER 24

Various shops on Magazine Street magazinestreet.com/event/ merriment-on-magazine

December

Algiers Bonfire and Concert

DECEMBER 2

200 Morgan Street New Orleans, LA 70114 www.algierseconomic.com/algiersbonfire

LUNA Fête10th Anniversary

DECEMBER 14-17

Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Pedestrian Park www.lunafete.com

R + L Carriers

New Orleans Bowl

DECEMBER 16

Caesars Superdome

www.neworleansbowl.org

Caroling in Jackson Square

DECEMBER 17

Celebration in the Oaks

NOV. 23 - JAN. 1

City Park celebrationintheoaks.com

Jackson Square patioplanters.net/events/carolingin-jackson-square

NOLA ChristmasFest10th Anniversary

DECEMBER 21-30

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center nolachristmasfest.com

Christmas Eve Bonfires

DECEMBER 24

Mississippi River levees

www.explorelouisiana.com/articles/ louisiana-christmas-tradition-bonfires-levee

January

Allstate Sugar Bowl

JANUARY 1, 2024

Caesars Superdome

allstatesugarbowl.org

PHOTO BY PAUL BROUSSARD

COMPANY’S COMING

October Forum for Sustainable Cities and Communities Shaping the City New Orleans

OCTOBER 5-6

AIA New Orleans Center for Design and Ogden Museum of Southern Art

An array of climate adaptation architectural and planning solutions are to be addressed, many of which are physical ones that build and catalyze systemic resilience to cities. The second focus of this forum lies on the topic of environmental justice, where vulnerable populations may be at higher risk for climate-related damage. www.shapingthecity.org/new-orleans-2023

American Academy of Optometry (AAO) Academy 2023 New Orleans

OCTOBER 11-14

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

Attendees will learn about the latest innovations in the optometric industry, connect with fellow industry professionals, and be enriched by quality continuing education courses so that professionals can learn new skills and ideas to stay at the top of the Optometric field. aaopt.org/meetings/annual-meeting

American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) ASRM 2023 Scientific Congress and Expo

OCTOBER 14-18

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

A premier opportunity for multi-disciplinary professionals to connect, discuss the latest in reproductive care, obtain useful skills such as practice management, access to care, and more. asrmcongress.org

National Safety Council (NSC) 2023 NSC Congress & Expo

OCTOBER 20-26

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

Conventions Calendar

The world’s largest annual safety event for professionals to gain knowledge about technology, products, and services needed to be at the forefront of the industry and connect with other likeminded professionals. congress.nsc.org/nsc2023/public/enter.aspx

NOLA MusiCon

OCTOBER 24-27

Royal Sonesta New Orleans

NOLA MusiCon will offer three and a half days of informative panels and inspirational interviews featuring music industry professionals and thought leaders, interactive hands-on demos from cutting edge brands, one-on-one mentor sessions, live performances from emerging and established local talent, unparalleled networking, and much more! www.nolamusicon.com

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition

OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 2

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

Leaders from academics, government, and industry will intersect to share insights about industry innovations across engineering disciplines and also allows for unique networking opportunities. event.asme.org/IMECE

November

Emerald X, LLC

Healthcare Design Expo & Conference

NOVEMBER 4-7

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

Produced with the support of partners like the Center for Health Design and the American Institute of Architects, the Healthcare Design Expo & Conference has quickly become the industry’s best-attended and most respected conference on evidence-based design for healthcare. Devoted to increasing knowledge of how design directly impacts the safety, operations, clinical outcomes, and financial success of healthcare facilities, the Healthcare Design Expo & Conference brings together industry leaders for continuing education and networking opportunities.

www.hcdexpo.com

Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA)

DEMA Show 2023

NOVEMBER 14-17

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

The largest trade only event in the world for companies in the diving, water sports, and travel sector. It will also bring together industry professionals from around the world. www.dema.org/page/ShowAbout

American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (AAPM&R)

AAPM&R 2023 Annual Assembly

NOVEMBER 15-19

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

The premier event for professionals with diverse backgrounds and skillsets in the physiatry field looking to expand their network and engage in a customizable educational experience to enhance their knowledge of new topics and research. ww.aapmr.org/education/annual-assembly

International Workboat Show

NOVEMBER 29-DECEMBER 1

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

A unique opportunity for maritime industry networking, updates, and education about the latest products available for use. www.workboatshow.com

December

Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS)

NeurIPS 37th Anniversary

DECEMBER 10-16

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

The conference will allow industry professionals and leaders to discuss topics, workshops, and poster and paper presentations in machine learning and computational neuroscience. nips.cc

January

Jazz Education Network (JEN)

JEN 15th Annual Conference

JANUARY 3-6

Hyatt Regency New Orleans

Jazz industry professionals from beginners to experts are in for a unique experience networking to continuing education to music festivals and inspiration for the future. jazzednet.org/conference

Informa Pop Culture Events

Fan Expo New Orleans

JANUARY 5-7

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

Events range from cosplay, gaming, celebrity interaction and much more. This unique experience will allow attendees to get a closer look at their favorite genres of movie, shows, and games in a memorable way.

fanexpohq.com/fanexponeworleans

Clarion Events Ltd

POWERGEN International

JANUARY 23-25

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

The premier business and networking hub brings together power generation professionals and solution providers to explore innovative solutions towards cleaner and sustainable energy sources. www.powergen.com/welcome

Anheuser-Busch

SAMCOM 2024

JANUARY 29-31

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

Anheuser-Busch InBev brings their employees and wholesalers together in New Orleans for SAMCOM 2024 to share new products, innovations, and future initiatives.

to EARS our

What people are saying about New Orleans MUSIC

We have to say – Kendall and I have been very impressed with your customer service and the complementary resources that you have offered us as event planners. We have not had this level of involvement from a convention and visitors bureau in any other market. We appreciate your support and are already looking forward to December!

TOURISM MATTERS

OCTOBER 2023

DANIAL REED | VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING AT E.C. BARTON & COMPANY