TOURISM MATTERS
Tourism Matters is published by Gambit for New Orleans & Company, the official destination marketing and sales organization for the New Orleans tourism industry. Our vision is to make New Orleans the most remarkable, unique and welcoming city in the world. The mission of New Orleans & Company is to inspire, promote and encourage travel to the city for the economic, social and community benefit of New Orleans and its people.
504-566-5011 | 2020 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130
www.neworleans.com
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @Visit New Orleans | @Neworleansandco
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
Cal Palermo, Tourism Matters
A MESSAGE THE CEO from
Dear Friends of New Orleans & Company,
Welcome to the October 2024 issue of Tourism Matters, celebrating our industry and Super Bowl LIX!
In less than four months, New Orleans will be on the world stage and host titans of industry, celebrity athletes, journalists and influential decision-makers. The city improvements being made in preparation for the big game will benefit our city and state’s residents for years to come.
I am so proud of the work that New Orleans & Company has done over the decades to secure, fund and execute our city’s 11th Super Bowl, along with our partners at the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and the New Orleans Saints.
This issue highlights how New Orleans & Company’s sales, services, PR, marketing, and external affairs teams are preparing for every aspect of Super Bowl LIX to show the world that we are Built to Host. Page eight unveils our new strategy to attract more corporate meetings, a critical component to diversify our meetings industry, a foundational economic driver of our region.
What other city can say that they will hold three iconic global events in a matter of six months … the Taylor Swift Eras Tour, Super Bowl LIX and Mardi Gras?
New Orleans is honored to be one of only four cities that Taylor Swift added this fall, bringing three shows to the Ceasars Superdome October 25, 26 and 27. We also join top international destinations including Tokyo, Paris, Buenos Aires, Vancouver and Sydney as hosts of the Eras tour.
Following the first U.S. leg of the Eras tour, the U.S. Travel Association estimated that the tour’s total economic impact exceeded $10 billion and on average Swift fans spent $1,300 in local economies on travel, hotels, food and merchandise. We thank the hundreds of thousands of “Swifties” for choosing New Orleans and salute the creative ways our community and hospitality industry are welcoming them.
Record-shattering concerts, a strong convention lineup, fall cultural celebrations and Super Bowl LIX all prove that New Orleans is Built to Host. For a city our size, we regularly punch above our weight class. Tourism Matters!
Together, let’s keep making New Orleans the most remarkable, unique and welcoming city in the world, not only for visitors, but for all of us who live and work here.
Sincerely,
Walter J. Leger III President & CEO New Orleans & Company
GETTING N.O. to Caesars New Orleans
CAESARS NEW ORLEANS is a newly built reimagined luxury casino and hotel with 340 rooms, three suites and one grand suite that rises above the existing casino structure. Samir Mowad, SVP and GM of Caesars New Orleans, says the hotel and its restaurants are all about luxury.
What makes the Caesars Hotel stand out?
Guests that frequent any of our 55+ properties nation-wide are likely to visit us in New Orleans because of the amazing hospitality of our city and our team members. We offer two distinctively different luxury lodging experiences, The Caesars Hotel and Nobu Hotel. We urge our guests to get out of our casino and explore our authentic city. We know that will build long term loyalty. We have partnered with local restaurants and tour groups to offer authentic New Orleans experiences to our hotel guests and casino players. Our players can use their reward credits to dine at many local establish-
Member Spotlight
ments. While our guests may dine at Nobu and play a few casino games, experiencing the city of New Orleans is paramount and is what makes them visit again and again.
What dining options should visitors expect?
The $435 million dollar transformation has yielded six new dining experiences and five new bars with the most notable being Emeril’s Brasserie – Emeril Lagasse’s first French-inspired concept, Nobu –elevated Japanese cuisine by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Octavia – a beautiful bar, in the center of the casino boasting a 26-foottall chandelier and The Celebrity Chef Food Hall – featuring Nina’s Creole Cottage by Nina Compton, Pizza Cake by Buddy Valastro and Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay. Guests can also experience the 1931 Lounge – a cocktail bar overlooking the Riverfront at the foot of Canal Street.
By Rhonda Cook
How is Caesars preparing for Super Bowl LIX here in New Orleans?
It’s been all hands-on deck. From sales and marketing to gaming operations and hotel revenue – planning is in full effect. We are incorporating the learnings of our partners in Las Vegas, which served as the 2024 host city. With Mardi Gras, festival season and conventions – we know how to enterta in and support big citywide events!
How do you engage with New Orleans & Company?
Since 1999, our property has contracted countless sales groups, meetings and conventions through their lead generations. Neworleans.com is a wonderful catch-all for all things New Orleans. Our dining outlets take advantage of COOLinary in the heat of summer to bring locals to the property. New Orleans & Company is helping to spread the message of our transformation as the newest amenity in the city. Additionally, we have been collaborating on Super Bowl LIX and have a lot planned for the future. Their support has been invaluable.
Employee Spotlight GETTING N.O. to Andy Le Bouef
Senior Account Executive
How do you describe your job?
I have worked in the hospitality industry for 20 years, in hotel operations, sales, and venue management. I joined New Orleans & Company three years ago as a Senior Account Executive in Convention Sales, focused on sports, government, West Coast corporate and association markets. We use our local insights and strong partnerships to tailor exceptional, customized experiences. By combining innovation with our city’s unique hosting capabilities, we ensure that New Orleans stands out as a destination, consistently exceeding client expectations.
I am proud to work for an organization that upholds the values of Trust, Authenticity, Innovation, Collaboration, Inclusivity, and Excellence—principles that guide everything we do.
What
is your role with Super Bowl LIX?
As a member of the Local Organizing Committee, I collaborate closely with the NFL and its partners to manage the lodging requirements. With a need for over 25,000 nightly hotel rooms, I work directly with our hotel partners to ensure a smooth and seamless accommodation experience for all attendees.
How does New Orleans & Company support the Super Bowl?
We are critical to the competitive process of securing, funding and executing the Super Bowl. The journey begins years in advance, with New Orleans & Company collaborating with the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and other partners. Together, we craft a comprehensive proposal for the NFL to showcase venue options, hotel packages, proposed event budgets, logistical plans, marketing strategies, funding solutions and more.
Once the bid is secured, New Orleans & Company works with its partners to meticulously plan and execute every aspect of the event. Our expertise and network are instrumental in delivering an extraordinary Super Bowl experience. And 2025’s Super Bowl will mark our 11th time hosting!
What is the best advice you have ever received?
“Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life!”
Behind the Scenes: New Orleans & Company and the Super Bowl
BY CAL PALERMO
When Super Bowl LIX kicks off on Sunday, February 9, it will not only be a celebration of a great season of football but a celebration of New Orleans. It will be a culmination of years worth of work for the New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee, especially Mrs. Gayle Benson and the New Orleans Saints as well as the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation (GNOSF).
Putting together large-scale sporting events is a team effort from a variety of organizations but without New Orleans & Company, the Super Bowl would not be possible in the city. New Orleans & Company plays a crucial role in the competitive process of securing, funding and executing a record tying 11th Super Bowl.
“The Super Bowl will bring the eyes of the world, celebrities, titans of industry, and endless investment opportunities to New Orleans,” said Walt Leger, President & CEO of New Orleans & Company. “For decades, New Orleans & Company has played a significant role in attracting and hosting large scale events. We are uniquely built to host these events. The work we do day in, and day out fosters relationships with a variety of organizations, ensuring
that New Orleans remains a preferred destination.”
The journey begins years in advance, with New Orleans & Company collaborating closely with the GNOSF, the New Orleans Saints, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) and other partners and sponsors. Together, we craft a comprehensive proposal for the NFL including a range of venue options, hotel packages, proposed event budgets, logistical plans, marketing strategies, and funding solutions. New Orleans & Company’s former CEO Stephen Perry helped deliver the winning pitch in 2018.
Once the bid is secured, New Orleans & Company remains deeply involved, working with its partners to meticulously plan and execute every aspect of the event. Our extensive expertise and well-established network are instrumental in delivering an extraordinary Super Bowl experience, ensuring that the event not only meets but exceeds expectations.
Our team has visited previous Super Bowl locations in Los Angeles, Phoenix and most recently Las Vegas. Members of our executive team including Walt Leger, Mark Romig, Stephanie Turner and Jeremy Cooker joined members of the host committee including from the
PHOTO
MRS. BENSON AT THE IMPACT 59 PRESS CONFERENCE
GNOSF, NOENMCC and Entergy to meet with media on radio row to discuss what to expect at Super LIX in New Orleans.
Members of New Orleans & Company serve on a variety of subcommittees, including the Hotel Services Subcommittee, Media/PR/ Branding Subcommittee, and the Community Engagement - Supplier Diversity Subcommittee.
“We are focused on creating a memorable experience for not just fans but New Orleanians. There is tremendous pride amongst our team showcasing New Orleans to the world and doing the work leading up to hosting the big game,” said Mark Romig, New Orleans & Company Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Chair of the New Orleans Super Bowl Media/PR/
Brand Subcommittee. “This isn’t our first rodeo, it’s what we do.”
A big part of what our public relations team is working on is a media press trip in November ahead of the big game. Select media from around the world have been invited to experience some of the reasons why New Orleans is Built to Host the Super Bowl from our downtown walkability, innovative renovations of the NOENMCC and the Caesars Superdome and a few other attractions that set New Orleans above the rest of other competing destinations. Our team is also working on a website featuring
recipes for people outside of New Orleans to celebrate. Some of New Orleans’ best restaurants and chefs have shared iconic dish recipes and fun cocktails to have a taste of New Orleans at their own Super Bowl watch party. The webpage is set to launch in early November.
The New Orleans & Company External Affairs team is working with our member hotels, restaurants and attractions to sponsor training and information sessions for a variety of things prior to the big game. A more detailed look into their work is discussed in the Membership News section on pages 10 and 11.
For the ultimate guide to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, visit www.neworleans.com/ things-to-do/sports/events/ ultimate-guide-to-superbowl-lix-in-new-orleans/.
For more information about the New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee, visit nolasuperbowl.com.
MEMBERS OF THE NEW ORLEANS SUPER BOWL HOST COMMITTEE AT RADIO ROW IN LAS VEGAS IN FEBRUARY
BEYOND BEADS the
Built to Host 3.0
BY STEPHANIE TURNER AND KELLY SCHULZ
For decades, New Orleans & Company has been making our city a top 25 destination in the United States through world-class sales and marketing. New Orleans & Company’s Convention Sales team consistently brings some of the world’s most sophisticated conventions and meetings to the city, and our talented convention services and marketing teams provide services and resources that contribute to the success of their meetings. Those attendees typically stay in New Orleans longer and have a deeper economic impact due to the variety of businesses and services required to produce meetings.
But as the meetings industry has evolved, the booking process has become more complex and competitive. We must retain existing customers and fulfill their changing needs, but we also must attract new customers.
That’s why in 2021, New Orleans & Company launched Built to Host, a comprehensive brand that highlights New Orleans’ unique attributes of walkability, hospitality, experience, and world-class venues.
Historically a large percentage of the meetings and conventions in New Orleans have been for association customers. Associations refer to organizations representing various industries and professions, and their dues-paying members gather on a regular basis for education, networking and business opportunities. Gone are the days of those associations
only going to a handful of cities, and returning to those cities every few years on a rotation.
Now association decision-makers have many more choices in host cities. Attendees and exhibitors may or may not choose to attend that annual meeting, and often that decision is based on where the meeting is being held.
Corporate meetings, on the other hand, are typically mandatory for employees to attend. Those meetings typically are designed to launch new products or train and inspire employees. Incentive trips reward a company’s top performers for achieving business goals.
Many cities with Fortune 500 company headquarters regularly host individual business travelers and corporate meetings. But with only two Fortune 500 companies in the entire state of Louisiana, we need a different approach to attract those travelers.
That’s why New Orleans & Company is launching a new iteration of the Built to Host brand and acquisition strategy designed specifically to retain existing customers and attract new meetings. Key to that strategy is education.
Often New Orleans is not considered for corporate meetings because it is perceived as a party town where serious business does not occur. Nothing could
be farther from the truth. New Orleans boasts a bio district to tackle global challenges in health; world-class higher education institutions; cutting-edge coastal restoration and flood protection strategies; a transformed riverfront and a NASA facility that built the Artemis II Rocket.
Our new corporate strategy touts New Orleans unique attributes as the perfect backdrop for meetings. A city where culture and innovation bring people together unlike anywhere else.
Below is a preview of our sales and marketing messages for corporate customers:
The path to your future begins on the streets of New Orleans, a walkable city filled with both soul-stirrings traditions and mind-blowing innovation. Here, where history converges with the future, businesses meet with perfection.
In New Orleans, you’ll find that, while our musicians are all about improvisation, our meetings team is more buttoned-up. Every day our seasoned experts demonstrate excellence in executing complex logistics for events of all types. We don’t miss a beat.
In New Orleans, we connect around the meeting table and the dining table. We share more than appetizers- we share ideas. You’ll find New Orleans’ food doesn’t just delight, it inspires and brings us together.
The keynote isn’t the only notes your attendees will get excited about in New Orleans. While our music and culture always fascinate, our innovative infrastructure will blow you away.
Meetings in New Orleans are sweeterwhether you begin or end the day with beignets. From café’ au lait breaks to gatherings held at our innovative restaurants and venues, we keep the food coming and that keeps the conversation flowing.
To learn more about Built to Host, please visit www.neworleans.com. If you can help bring a meeting or convention to the city please contact Stephanie Turner at sturner@neworleans.com.
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
New Orleans & Company Work in the Community
BY KEVIN FERGUSON
This is just a small snapshot of the work being done to make New Orleans ready to host the Super Bowl and be a great city to live, work and visit.
Home For Good New Orleans
Home For Good New Orleans (HFGNO) is continuing to address the city’s unhoused population, largely downtown. The goal is to house 1500 people by the end of 2025. Since November 2023, 166 people have been housed and seven encampments decommissioned. Over 90 percent of those people remain housed today. Since September, the next phase of HFGNO has been focused on rapidly rehousing people that are living in the downtown and French Quarter area. The focus continues to be getting people housed and connected to wrap around services to address the challenges that led to them being unhoused. HFGNO will be the recipient of the 50/50 raffle at the Saints game on November
17th. While most of the project is publicly funded, HFGNO does need support from our residents and businesses to reach our goal. To learn more, visit homeforgoodneworleans.org.
The NFL Super Bowl LIX Source Program
The NFL Super Bowl LIX Source Program is designed to provide diverse local businesses—particularly those owned by minorities, women, veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and disabled persons— opportunities to participate in the Super Bowl’s economic impact. The program aims to connect these businesses with NFL contractors and event organizers for procurement
and service needs, ranging from construction to catering and event management.
The program launched earlier this year and selected participants from over 1400 applicants. Over 200 local businesses were selected to participate and will receive support and training in a number of areas with the goal of helping them build capacity to meet the needs of the Super Bowl and beyond. I have seen first-hand that this program has real substance with some participants already securing contracts for next year’s Super Bowl. For more information visit nolasuperbowl.com/ supplier-diversity.
Super Bowl Prep
New Orleans & Company is focused on making sure our industry, businesses, and workforce are ready to showcase our hospitality and host such a major event. During the summer, we began planning a series of webinars and in person events, in partnership with city departments and non-profits, to provide training resources and information to businesses on a range of topics. These sessions will benefit them long-term, but also set them up well for next year’s Super Bowl.
We have hosted sessions on
• Clean and safe work environments led by Rodent and Pest Control
• Human Trafficking Awareness
• Upcoming training on tourniquet application led by Stop the Bleed
While some of these are challenging topics, they are also incredibly important for our city and industry to be educated about and prepared. Future sessions are being planned now please contact membership@ neworleans.com if you are interested in receiving alerts or want to propose a topic.
BE A TOURIST
OCTOBER
Oktoberfest
OCTOBER 11-12, 18-19, 25-26
1700 Moss Street
oktoberfestnola.com
Black Restaurant Week
OCTOBER 18-27
Various New Orleans Restaurants blackrestaurantweeks.com
Krewe of Boo!
OCTOBER 19
French Quarter www.kreweofboo.com
9th Annual Treme Fall Fest
OCTOBER 25-26
St. Augustine Catholic Church www.tremefest.org
Taylor Swift Eras Tour
OCTOBER 25-27
Caesars Superdome www.neworleans.com/blog/post/taylor-swiftinspired-guide-to-new-orleans
Oak Street Po’ Boy Festival
OCTOBER 27
Oak Street www.poboyfest.com
NOVEMBER
Bayou Bacchanal
NOVEMBER 1-2
Congo Square www.friendsofculture.org
Prospect.6
NOVEMBER 2 – FEBRUARY 2
Various Locations
www.prospect6.org
Leisure Events Calendar
New Orleans Zydeco Fest
NOVEMBER 2
Crescent Park nolazydecofest.com
Treme Creole Gumbo Festival
NOVEMBER 9-10
Louis Armstrong Park
www.jazzandheritage.org/events/ 2024-treme-creole-gumbo-festival
LUNA Fete
NOVEMBER 14-17
Lafayette Square Park
www.lunafete.com
Beignet Festival
NOVEMBER 16
New Orleans City Park Festival Grounds beignetfest.com
Celebration in the Oaks
NOVEMBER 23 – DECEMBER 30
City Park celebrationintheoaks.com
35th New Orleans Film Festival
NOVEMBER 24-29
Vatrious Locations
neworleansfilmsociety.org/festival
BY CHERYL GERBER
PHOTO
Bayou Classic
NOVEMBER 29-30
Caesars Superdome mybayouclassic.com
DECEMBER
Reveillon Dinners
DECEMBER 1-31
Various New Orleans Restaurants holiday.neworleans.com/food-and-drink
Algiers Bonfire & Concert
DECEMBER 7
Algiers Point Batture www.algierseconomic.com/algiersbonfire
Children’s Hospital
New Orleans Holiday Parade
DECEMBER 7
Downtown/French Quarter nolaholidayparade.com
NOLA ChristmasFest
DECEMBER 20-30
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center nolachristmasfest.com
Holidays New
Orleans Style
NOVEMBER 29 – DECEMBER 31
Various New Orleans locations holiday.neworleans.com
Caroling in Jackson Square
DECEMBER 22
Jackson Square
patioplanters.net/events/ caroling-in-jackson-square
New Years Eve
DECEMBER 31
Jackson Square
www.neworleans.com/events/holidays-seasonal/new-years-eve
JANUARY
Allstate Sugar Bowl
JANUARY 1
Casears Superdome allstatesugarbowl.org
Phunny Phorty Phellows
JANUARY 6
Uptown/Central Business District
Uptown/Central Business District
www.phunnyphortyphellows.com
Krewe of Joan of Arc
JANUARY 6
French Quarter joanofarcparade.org
Funky Uptown Krewe
JANUARY 6
St. Charles Avenue Streetcar Line www.funkyuptownkrewe.com
The Société Des Champs Elysée
JANUARY 6
French Quarter www.neworleans.com/event/ societe-des-champs-elysee/18050/
BY
PHOTO
PAUL BROUSSARD
COMPANY’S COMING
October
American Dental Association (ADA)
SmileCon New Orleans 2024
OCTOBER 17-19
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
SmileCon® is the ADA’s reimagined annual meeting, offering continuing education, networking opportunities, hundreds of exhibitors, social events and fun. www.ada.org/education/smilecon
National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) NFDA International Convention & Expo
OCTOBER 20-23
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
This event offers thousands of funeral service professionals from around the world networking, education as well as the world’s largest funeral service expo. nfdaconvention.org
American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) 2024 MagPath Conference
OCTOBER 30-NOVEMEBER 1
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Conventions Calendar
NSTA conferences offer the latest in science content, teaching strategy, and research to enhance and expand your professional growth. www.nsta.org/national-conference-science-educationnew-orleans-2024
Diversified Business Communications International Workboat Show
NOVEMBER 12-14
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
The largest nursing conference for professional nurses to gain insights into achieving ANCC recognition and elevating their organization. magnetpathwaycon.nursingworld.org
November
National Science Teaching Association
2024 New Orleans National Conference
NOVEMBER 6-9
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
As the maritime industry embraces innovation, the WorkBoat Show remains at the forefront, driving progress and propelling the marine industry forward. www.workboatshow.com
American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (ASTMH) ASTMH Annual Meeting
NOVEMBER 13-17
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
The premier international forum for the exchange of scientific and
PHOTO BY JUSTEN WILLIAMS/FIRE ON THE BAYOU
clinical advances in tropical medicine, hygiene and global health featuring world class research findings. www.astmh.org/annual-meeting
Society of American Military Engineers (SAME)
2024 Federal Small Business Conference (SBC)
NOVEMBER 18-22
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
SBC is the must-attend market research event of the year connecting attendees with leading experts, decision-makers, solution providers, business partners, and federal contracting officers. www.samesbc.org
National Communication Association (NCA)
NCA 110th Annual Convention
NOVEMBER 21-24
New Orleans Marriott
Over 1,000 cutting-edge research presentations and thoughtprovoking panel discussions that will propel attendees’ communication knowledge forward. www.natcom.org/convention
December
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition
DECEMBER 8-12
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
ASHP provides health-system pharmacy practitioners with venues for updating their knowledge, networking with colleagues, enhancing their skills, and learning about the latest health-system pharmacy issues, products, and technologies. www.ashp.org/meetings-and-conferences
January
Modern Language Association of America (MLA) 2025 MLA Annual Convention
JANUARY 9-12
Hilton New Orleans Riverside Scholars, teachers, and writers from a variety of humanities fields share their work and learn about the latest research in language, literature, cultural studies, and writing studies. www.mla.org/Events/2025-MLA-Convention
American Meteorological Society (AMS) 105th AMS Annual Meeting
JANUARY 12-16
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
An opportunity for researchers, governments and private industry to share knowledge and address challenges of integrating research and societal decision-making through collaboration. annual.ametsoc.org/index.cfm/2025
BY JUSTEN WILLIAMS
PHOTO
MUSIC to EARS our
What people are saying about New Orleans
New Orleans & Company knows how to roll out the red carpet for events, build relationships that matter, and enhance experiences for all participants. The ELCA Youth Gathering was a giant success due to the work of Allison and Rachel with New Orleans & Company. They welcomed us with open arms and worked their magic behind the scenes to ensure a wonderful event for our 15,000 high school students. They celebrated our successes and problem solved our challenges. Our team leaders love New Orleans for its food, culture, music, and more. I love New Orleans for the way the people of this city welcome the stranger. We aren’t strangers anymore!
New Orleans is truly a city Built to Host.
TAMMY JONES WEST, 2024 ELCA YOUTH GATHERING DIRECTOR
TOURISM MATTERS
Behind the Scenes: New Orleans & Company and the Super Bowl
OCTOBER 2024