Tourism Matters April 2024

TOURISM MATTERS

COMPETING FOR CONVENTIONS

APRIL 2024

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 and Membership

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

A MESSAGE THE CEO from

Dear Friends of New Orleans & Company,

Happy spring festival season, a beautiful time to be in New Orleans. Wednesdays at the Square, Hogs for the Cause, French Quarter Festival, Jazz Fest and so many others (see page 12) are perfect examples of what makes our city so attractive for residents as well as visitors.

For the third consecutive year, New Orleans & Company was pleased to sponsor and host the TODAY Show with Hoda and Jenna for two national broadcasts last week. This positive national coverage was priceless and ties directly to our strategic goal of creating and owning a clear, world-class brand for New Orleans.

While many visitors are drawn to our city for leisure events such as festivals, there is another important group who come here to attend meetings, conferences and conventions. This issue of Tourism Matters highlights the economic power of those events, specifically how we go about securing that business in a highly competitive marketplace in which we battle with other cities across the nation. At New Orleans & Company we are focused on delivering the most exceptional sales and service, because that’s what it takes to compete and win for our community. Meetings, conferences and conventions help to power the economy of our region, I hope you will take the time to learn more on pages five and six.

The good news is our 2024 convention calendar is robust, especially compared to 2023. Our team today is working to secure a base of meetings business for now and ten-plus years into the future. Approximately 50 percent of that business will be held at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, while the other half will take place at one or more of our many hotels or venues across the city.

As we work to make our city more appealing for conventions, we also have a strategic goal of making New Orleans a better place for those who live and work here. See page eight for our partnership in the Home for Good Initiative led by New Orleans Councilmember Lesli Harris and the City Council.

The program, which includes many organizations, is developing the strategy and long-term plan of housing 1,500 individuals with supportive services to get them off the street and into stable, permanent residences by 2025. Home for Good is not only good for tourism and business, it is the right thing to do for our residents and for the people most impacted.

A final strategic goal we are pursuing in 2024 is to restore international tourism. We secured a major victory in this area by becoming the first city in the USA to host the Bocuse d’Or and Pastry World Cup, a prestigious international culinary competition, June 11 – 13, 2024. This is a testament to our entire culinary community. We are ready to welcome chefs from around the world to the greatest food city in America!

Sincerely,

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

PHOTO COURTESY OF NEW ORLEANS & COMPANY

Member Spotlight GETTING N.O. to

Corporate Lighting & Audio

By Ellie Kelleher

CORPORATE

LIGHTING & AUDIO was started in 1995 by Steve Schluter after working in the hospitality industry for over 10 years and performing as a musician for most of his life. He looked at it as an opportunity to spread the rich musical culture of New Orleans to visitors and convention goers from around the world.

Tell us about Corporate Lighting & Audio.

Corporate Lighting and Audio is a full-service production company specializing in activations, concerts, conferences, conventions, and special events. Our dynamic lighting, audio, and video experts creatively transform spaces into unique experiences that make lasting impressions on audiences.

Our expertise contributes to creating engaging and memorable experiences for event attendees and a desire for the meeting and event planners to return to New Orleans for their next event.

Why did you become a New Orleans & Company member and what have you found it’s done for your company?

We joined New Orleans & Company in 2018 and since then they have done a great job representing the City of New Orleans. Through our membership, we have been connected as a service company with event planners and producers for all types of tourism industry driven events.

What do your customers say about why they choose to book events in New Orleans?

They love coming to New Orleans to explore the rich history, vibrant experiences and friendly atmosphere that New Orleans has to offer.

How does a thriving meeting and convention business support companies like yours?

A thriving meeting and convention business can positively impact companies in the area by bringing in more business opportunities, increasing demand for event-related services, and to help attract and retain top tier talent. Companies pro-

viding event-related services, like Corporate Lighting & Audio, will see increased demand for their products and services as a result.

Why do you think New Orleans is Built to Host?

New Orleans is often considered a desirable host city due to its rich cultural heritage, unique architecture, diverse entertainment options, and renowned hospitality. The city’s infrastructure, convention center, and experienced event service providers such as Corporate Lighting & Audio contribute to its reputation as a destination that is wellequipped to host successful meetings and conventions.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CORPORATE LIGHTING & AUDIO

GETTING N.O. to Rachel Avery

CMP, Director, Convention Services and Special Events

What is the role of Convention Services?

Our team serves as a meeting planner’s New Orleans expert. Need a second line or shuttle company? Need to visit your contracted hotels and venues? We can help. We work hand-in-hand with Convention Sales and Group Marketing/Attendance

Building to form a symbiotic trio to help planners ensure a successful meeting. We collaborate in partnership with hotels and our members to ensure meeting attendees have the best experience possible.

How do you take care of customers in this increasingly complex environment?

The planning landscape has changed drastically over the past four years. There are many new faces in the industry that don’t necessarily have the institutional knowledge that former planners had. We often find ourselves in a teaching position. We teach newcomers to the industry what a destination marketing organization does, how we can support them, and more. We execute more

site visits, as we find that many of the contacts change within the year to 18-month planning process. Also, site visits tend to be more complex, with more participants attending, and more changes requested. We dive deep into customers’ needs and help them determine the absolute best fit – whether it be a reception, fun-run, or even a parade.

Why do customers choose to book meetings here?

Planners tell us how much they enjoy the hospitality we provide and that we exude love and pride for our city. They love our unique culture. They can’t get enough of the food, music, architecture, and history. It blows their minds when they see how collaborative hotel competitors are in this city! Yes, they compete against each other for a program. But at the end of the day, they are thrilled for their competitor, because a win for New Orleans is a win for New Orleans. The collaboration does not happen in other cities – and it’s what makes us Built to Host.

Employee Spotlight

What was your path to New Orleans & Company?

This winter I celebrated my 16th anniversary with the company and my 20th year living in New Orleans! My first job in the hospitality industry was at the Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bu-

reau. Then I moved to New Orleans and found my home at New Orleans & Company. There is nothing better than representing and showcasing an entire city, especially one as wonderful and welcoming as New Orleans. I feel blessed to have developed my career here.

PHOTO BY EMILY SMITH

Why Destinations Compete to Host Meetings and Conventions

BY KELLY SCHULZ AND STEPHANIE TURNER

New Orleans is unique, boasting one of the most culturally rich and diverse destinations in the world. The people of New Orleans have built who we are over generations. Our traditions continue to evolve and grow, and visitors come to experience it all. Millions of people choose to come to New Orleans every year, with 70 percent of those visitors coming for leisure travel, including attending iconic events such as Mardi Gras, festivals, major sporting events, concerts, theatrical performances, weddings, and social events. While only 30 percent of visitors come to attend a meeting, trade show or exhibition, they have a disproportionate economic impact because of the local businesses needed to execute their meeting, including audiovisual, shuttle companies, catering, booth design and construction, event planners and many more.

The question is how do meetings and conventions make their way to New Orleans or any other destination? The impact of the global meetings industry exceeds $1.6 trillion according to a study by the Events Industry Council in partnership with Oxford Economics. Competition among destinations in the United States is at an all-time high.

Many cities have enjoyed explosive growth over the past several years adding new hotel brands, convention hotels and venues to their hospitality offerings. Over the decades we have seen tremendous

growth in destinations who can now host large conventions, sporting events and major events, adding to an already competitive landscape.

That’s why in 2021, New Orleans & Company launched a new brand for the meetings industry, Built to Host, to stand out from the competition and illustrate why New Orleans is better equipped to host major events, conferences, and meetings. The walkability of the city, world-class hotels and venues, a welcoming culture, and more are competitive advantages for our destination.

Event organizers seek destinations who continually innovate, add to their hospitality assets, and demonstrate the ability to execute with technical excellence. It is critically important to

showcase the business attributes of New Orleans when competing. The revelation of new science, new technologies and products being introduced into markets along with addressing societal issues are all components of meetings and conventions. These settings are a catalyst of moving commerce forward, and where innovation is often exhibited. When meeting attendees come together, differences can be overcome, common purpose can be found, and problems can be solved.

The New Orleans & Company Convention Sales team leads the selling efforts on behalf of our hospitality community. Approximately half of the thousands of meetings that take place each year convene in a single hotel and the other half utilize the New Orleans Ernest

N. Morial Convention Center for their meetings and exhibitions, while their attendees stay at multiple hotels.

We work together with sales professionals from hotels and the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center to solicit and confirm meetings. Our sales teams are deployed nationally. They travel to conduct in-person sales calls, attend convention industry events, exhibit at industry trade shows alongside other destinations where they meet with customers to build relationships that move New Orleans forward in the site selection process.

Meetings are critical to the success of the travel industry in New Orleans. Each year conventions, conferences, meetings and exhibitions create compression upon which other market segments build. The meetings industry also has positive impacts on the broader hospitality community because their events utilize services from the local community, including a range of small businesses that benefit from the meetings industry. Each event is like building a business from the ground up that will last for several days. These events are the epitome of economic development. Once New Orleans is selected as the

meeting location, our focus turns to successful execution. It is our goal to provide excellent customer service throughout the cycle of sales, planning and onsite execution of the convention with the end goal of generating repeat business in a future year. The Convention Services team at New Orleans & Company provides an invaluable suite of services including connecting business event professionals with the local resources needed to execute a successful event. Our marketing and attendance building professionals assist with providing assets our customers can utilize when promoting their meeting to their audiences.

Our convention calendar for 2024 includes the following highlights:

• Association for Talent Development – 8,000 attendees

• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – 20,000 attendees

• Association for Diabetes Care and Education – 4,000 attendees

• Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine – 5,000 attendees

• The American Legion – 5,000 attendees

• American Dental Association – 15,500 attendees

• Water Environment Federation – 18,000 attendees

• American Nurses Credentialing Center – 12,000 attendees

Meetings and conventions are big business for New Orleans and the nation, but we have something that no other city does: incredibly special, genuine people. If you see meeting and convention guests in our city, please say thank you and make them feel welcome. Our local economy benefits from their presence, and we appreciate the contributions they make while meeting in our city. They always remember the hospitality of New Orleanians!

PHOTO BY MAX FLATOW

BEYOND BEADS the

Home for Good

BY CAL PALERMO

The New Orleans & Company team continues to meet regularly with local officials, organizations, and nonprofits whose mission is to improve quality of life for our community and who can understand the value our industry brings to the economic health of our region. We have had 191 community meetings focused on conversations around quality-of-life issues for our industry’s businesses and workforce. We believe that what’s good for our residents is also good for our visitors.

In February 2023, Home for Good New Orleans (HFGNO) established a plan to systematically reduce street homelessness by the end of 2025. The HFGNO Homeless Initiative was launched to address and minimize the unhoused population in the City of New Orleans.

This initiative is spearheaded by Councilmember Lesli Harris and developed in conjunction with several city partners including New Orleans & Company, UNITY of Greater New Orleans, Greater New Orleans Foundation, United Way Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA), New Orleans Health Department, Travelers Aid Society and City of New Orleans Homeless Services and Strategy.

Home For Good New Orleans’ mission will focus on achieving low to no unsheltered homelessness in New Orleans by the end of 2025 because every resident should have access to affordable housing and the resources needed to overcome homelessness.

Clutch Consulting Group developed the strategy and long-term plan of housing individuals with supportive services to get them off the street and into stable, permanent residences.

“I am proud to lead this initiative and the local stakeholders who invested their time and expertise to develop the strategy and branding of Home For Good New Orleans. Since the beginning of my term, curbing homelessness and developing affordable housing continues to be my top two priorities,” Councilmember Harris notes. “Our city has a housing crisis because there is a lack of affordable housing options or stabilized rent. All New Orleanians deserve a safe and supportive place to live. Home For Good New Orleans will help us achieve a better quality of life and lower the percentage of displaced residents.”

There are three pathways to reduce street homelessness in the desired timeline:

• Targeted encampment decommissioning – The organization can provide housing opportunities to individuals in need while alleviating public health concerns and returning public space to public use

• Coordinated housing navigation to all other unsheltered persons – Conducted in parallel with encampment decommissioning, this ensures equitable access to housing resources. Those most in need will not be left behind simply because they do not live in an encampment.

• Amplify & accelerate exits from shelter to housing

“At its very core our mission is to inspire, promote and encourage actions that result in a better community for those who live, work, and visit here,” said Walt Leger III, President and CEO, New Orleans & Company. “I would like to thank Kevin Ferguson our VP of External Affairs and Membership for taking the lead in getting us involved in this initiative. Serving our city as a partner in the Home for Good initiative is a special opportunity for our organization to support an improved quality of life for people who need assistance and for the community as a whole.”

In 2023, the Tchoupitoulas encampment was decommissioned. 36 of 42 individuals from the encampment were placed into housing before the encampment was decommissioned. To date Home For Good New Orleans has housed over 100 individuals who were living on the street.

New Orleans & Company will continue to support and partner with organizations that we can advocate with for better transportation, public safety, infrastructure, workforce development, and more.

For more information, please visit homeforgoodneworleans.org.

PHOTO COURTESY OF COUNCILMEMBER LESLI HARRIS’ OFFICE

FROM L-R: MICHAEL WILLIAMSON–PRESIDENT AND CEO, UNITED WAY OF SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA COUNCILMEMBER LESLI D.HARRIS, CITY OF NEW ORLEANS • ANDY KOPPLIN–PRESIDENT/CEO, GNOF TAYLOR DILES– DEPUTY DIRECTOR, OHSS • KEVIN FERGUSON–VICE PRESIDENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, NEW ORLEANS & COMPANY • DR. JENNIFER AVEGNO, CITY OF NEW ORLEANS HEALTH DEPARTMENT

MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

60 YEARS

» Budget Rent A Car

» Place d’Armes Hotel

55 YEARS

» Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome

» New Orleans Marriott

» New Orleans Saints

50 YEARS

» Hilton New Orleans Riverside

» Meyer The Hatter

» New Orleans Museum of Art

» Steamboat NATCHEZ

» United Gift & Novelty Company, Inc.

45 YEARS

» Mr. B’s Bistro

» PETERMAYER

» Wyndham New Orleans

- French Quarter

40 YEARS

» Canal Place

» Gray Line Tours

» Napoleon House

35 YEARS

» Brent House Hotel

» Brigtsen’s Restaurant

» Cats Meow

» Destination Management, Inc.

» English Turn Golf & Country Club

» Lakeside Shopping Center

» McGlinchey Stafford PLLC

» Palm Court Jazz Cafe Inc.

» Quarter House Resort

» River Parish Disposal Inc.

» Sysco Food Services Inc.

» The Plant Gallery

» Toulouse Royale Gifts

» U. N. O. - Business & Economic Research

30 YEARS

» Adams and Reese LLP

» Degas House Bed and Breakfast

» Expedia Group

» Gambit

» Hampton Inn and Suites

New Orleans Downtown (French Quarter Area) Hotel

» Hyatt Centric French Quarter New Orleans

» Laura Plantation Co., LLC

» Louisiana Tax Free Shopping

» Saenger Theatre

» Symmetry Jewelers & Designers

» TCS Transportation

25 YEARS

» Alamo Services LLC

» Carl Mack Presents...

» The Cigar Factory New Orleans

» Delgado Community College Culinary Arts & Hospitality

» Drury Plaza Hotel New Orleans

» Harrah’s New Orleans Casino

» Melrose Mansion

» The National WWII Museum

» NOLA Box Supply Co, LLC

» Office Depot

» Ogden Museum of Southern Art

» Production Transport

» Smoothie King Center

20 YEARS

» Cafe Pontalba

» Cajun Encounters Tour Co.

» Celebration Tours, LLC

» Comfort Suites

» Dr. Wagner’s Honey Island Swamp Tours

» Event Producers, Inc.

» F.E.S.S. Security Service

» Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant

» Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans French Quarter/CBD

» Houmas House and Gardens

» Island of Salvation Botanica, LLC

» La Petite Grocery

» Louisiana Pizza Kitchen/ French Quarter

» Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant

» New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District

» The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery

» Professional Innkeepers Assn of New Orleans (PIANO)

» Ralph’s On the Park

» The Steakhouse at Harrah’s New Orleans Casino

» Terrell House Bed and Breakfast

» Tommy’s Cuisine

» Tour Guide Association of Greater New Orleans, Inc.

NEW MEMBERS

» Abstract Productions, LLC

» Addis Nola

» American Cancer Society

» American Ghost Walks - New Orleans

» American Townhouse

» Beer Bus

» Blue Jae Films

» Brand Society

» Brand Speaks Inc.

» Cafe Beignet

» Cafe Beignet - Canal

» Cafe Beignet - Decatur

» Cameron Atlas, LLC

» Canal Street Inn

» Chefs Brigade

» The Chloe

» Columns

» Connect Hub Coworking

» Current Crop Roasting Shop

» d.b.a.

» Dat Dog Frenchmen

» Dew Drop Inn Hotel & Lounge

» Eclair Creative

» Elysian Events Catering

» Feels

» Fireside Films

» First Horizon

» Five to Sixty

» Freedom At The Mat

» Galerie de Galatoire

» GlassLight Studio & Venusian Gardens Art Gallery

» Hubig’s Pies

» INSPIRE Solutions

» JLV Construction

» Jolie

» Kaufman Production

» King Brasserie & Bar

» LCMC Health

» Livaudais Hall

» Long Ball

» The Louisiana Museum Foundation

» Luzianne Cafe

» Margaret Place

» Marigny Opera House

» Market Dynamics Research Group, Inc.

» Marsh Hotel

» McKinley Studios

» Messina’s at the Terminal

» Mister Oso Nola

» Movers & Shakers

» New Orleans Paranormal Society

» New Orleans Weddings Magazine, Inc (NOW Weddings Magazine)

» Nola Dukes Band/Historical Events Co.

» Nola Shirts

» Nous Foundation

» Peace of Serenity Massage and Wellness

» Peacock Room

» Pixie Dust Biodegradable Glitter

» Pixis Drones, LLC

» Pour Les Cultivés

» REALCYCLE

» Reserv Concierge

» Saddle Bar

» Saint Josephine

» Site 61 Hostel

» Swamp Lotus

» T&A Private Transportation

» The Taylor

» Télé-Louisiane

» The Tell Me Bar

» UTG Experience

» Velvet Cactus

» Willwork Event Services

» Workplace Solutions

» WYES/PBS

BE A TOURIST

April

NOLA

Crawfish Festival

APRIL 29-MAY 1

The Broadside nolacrawfishfest.com

Daze Between New Orleans

APRIL 30-MAY 1

Faubourg Brewery dazebetweennola.com

May

Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do

MAY 3

Audubon Zoo

audubonnatureinstitute.org/zoo-to-do

Jammin’ on Julia (& beyond!)

MAY 4

Arts District New Orleans www.artsdistrictneworleans.com/ events/jammin-on-julia-beyond

Zurich Classic

APRIL 22-28

Avondale, Louisiana

zurichgolfclassic.com

Leisure Events Calendar

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

APRIL 25-MAY 5

Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots www.nojazzfest.com

Bayou Boogaloo

MAY 17-19

Bayou St. John/Various Locations thebayouboogaloo.com

June

Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Concert Series

JUNE 2-17

George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center https://www.jazzandheritage.org/events/ louisiana-cajun-zydeco-festival

PHOTO BY REBECCA TODD

PHOTO BY JUSTEN WILLIAMS

Wednesday at the Square Concert Series

RECURRING WEEKLY ON WEDNESDAY UNTIL MAY 8, 2024

Lafayette Square www.ylcwats.com

New Orleans Wine and Food Experience

JUNE 5-9

City Wide

www.nowfe.com

French Market

Creole Tomato Festival

JUNE 8-9

French Market

www.frenchmarket.org/ creoletomatofest

Bocuse d’Or and Pastry World Cup

JUNE 11-13

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

www.bocusedor.com/fr/ selection/americas

New Orleans Greek Fest

MAY 24-26

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral www.gfno.com

July

ESSENCE Festival of Culture

JULY 4-7

Caesars Superdome

www.essence.com/festival2024

Tales of the Cocktail

JULY 21-26

The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans talesofthecocktail.org/events/ tales-of-the-cocktail-new-orleans

PHOTO BY PAUL BROUSSARD

PHOTO BY PAUL BROUSSARD

COMPANY’S COMING

April

Oceantic Network

2024 International Partnering Forum (IPF)

APRIL 22-25

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

IPF is the premier offshore wind energy conference in the Americas. IPF connects global leaders and businesses in the supply chain, offers unparalleled networking opportunities, and delivers the most timely and relevant updates on the industry, from technology and policy to safety and siting.

oceantic.org/oceantic-event/2024-ipf

May

American Association of Orthodontists (AAO)

AAO Annual Session 2024

MAY 3-6

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

The definitive event for orthodontists and has seven curated paths featuring the profession’s best education, innovation, and high-caliber networking with a dynamic community of peers.

annualsession.aaoinfo.org

Association for Talent Development (ATD)

The ATD24

MAY 19-22

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

The world’s largest learning and development conference, uniting professionals from across the globe. Its mission is to refresh your expertise, renew your enthusiasm, and re-engage in meaningful connections within the community through various educational opportunities, cutting-edge solutions at the expo floor, and networking at every turn.

atdconference.td.org

Conventions Calendar

NAFSA Association of International Educators

2024 Annual Conference & Expo

MAY 28-31

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

International educators from all corners of the world will gather at NAFSA 2024 to discover the latest innovations, new strategies, and best practices.

www.nafsa.org/conferences/nafsa-2024-annual-conference-expo

Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE)

Teacher Leader Summit 2024

MAY 28-30

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

An annual professional learning conference that brings together Louisiana birth to grade 12 educators and content experts. Educators participating in the event will share their knowledge, learn new skills, and prepare for the 2024-2025 school year.

www.facebook.com/LaEducation

June

George P. Johnson- CA

The Pokémon

International Championships

JUNE 6-9

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

This event draws Pokemon players from around the globe during the Championship Series season. During the event, players can connect with fans around the globe and test their Pokémon battling skills against other players in trading card games (TCG), video game championships (VGC) and Pokémon GO.

www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/pokemon-events/ pokemon-tournaments/international-championships

McKesson Corporation ideaShare 2024

JUNE 23-26

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

The nation’s premier community pharmacy event that empowers current and future independent pharmacists to foster deeper connections, discover ways to innovate and thrive, and strengthen their collective voice. mckessonideashare.com

National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA)

Clinical Symposia & AT Expo

JUNE 25-28

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

The premier live event for athletic trainers offering important educational advances, career networking, social events, peer engagement opportunities and access to our AT Expo, which features the largest exhibition of athletic training products and services inthe world. convention.nata.org

July

The Moose

2024 International Moose Convention

JULY

24-28

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

2024 ELCA Youth Gathering

JULY 16-20

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

Every three years, thousands of high school youth and their adult leaders from across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America gather for a week of faith formation. www.elca.church/gathering

The Moose is a fraternal and service organization founded in 1888 with nearly 650,000 people in roughly 1,600 Lodges in 49 states and four Canadian provinces, plus Great Britain. Along with other units of Moose International, the Moose Fraternity supports the operation of Mooseheart Child City & School, a 1,000-acre community for children and teens in need, located 40 miles west of Chicago; and Moosehaven, a 70-acre retirement community for its members near Jacksonville, FL. www.mooseintl.org/new-orleans-convention

PHOTO COURTESY OF NEW ORLEANS ERNEST N. MORIAL CONVENTION CENTER

What people are saying about New Orleans MUSIC to EARS our

Just a quick note of thanks for an absolutely wonderful visit. Mardi Gras is such an amazing event, and I appreciate all that you and your colleagues did to connect me with the best experiences for my reports. It was great to see you and I’ll let you know when I have publication dates for both articles.

TOURISM MATTERS COMPETING FOR CONVENTIONS