Destination: New Orleans Meeting & Event Planning City Guide
Destination Articles
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Katrina Who?
By Christine Loomis
March 26, 2013
New Orleans was down, but it was never out. And recovery hasn’t been only about repairing damaged infrastructure. What has risen from the rubble left by Hurricane Katrina is extraordinary: entire neighborhoods, highways, hotels and sports venues rebuilt or even fabricated from scratch, giving the city an impressive new look and energy. Its transformation has been so extraordinary that Stephen Perry, president and CEO of the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, received a World Travel Market Globe Award for his role in restoring the city as a tourism destination following Katrina, in 2005.
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Viva Louisiane!
By Mona L. Hayden
October 24, 2012
Laissez les bons temps rouler! Let the good times roll! And roll they do, around every corner of this most distinctive and entertaining state. Louisiana celebrates its state bicentennial in 2012 and the outlook is very positive as the economy and development continue to thrive. Factor in the local culture and cuisine and you’ll understand the state’s excitement— and want to stay a bit longer.
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New Orleans
By Jessie Fetterling
March 01, 2011
New Orleans’ hospitality industry has had a rough five years after disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the BP Oil Spill discouraged planners from holding meetings in the city. However, it continues to shine in the convention market with ongoing hotel renovations, a $400-million airport rejuvenation project and a citywide revitalization in preparation for hosting the 2013 Super Bowl.
Learn about New Orleans for Event Venues, Services & Meeting Destinations
Destination Description
Smart Stats:
Number of Meetings Hotels: 265
Total Hotel Rooms: 33,000
Number of Special Events Venues: 110
Local Convention Centers: Morial Convention Center
Local Airports: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
Local CVB: New Orleans Metropolitan CVB Houma Area CVB Kenner CVB
Smart Snapshot:
While hospitality is the New Orlean’s No. 1 business, it’s the unique, only-in-New-Orleans culture that keeps people coming back—and encourages visitors to support the locals. A fusion of European and Caribbean cultures influences the colorful architecture, exotic cuisine and vibrant music that define New Orleans. But more than that, they also inspire celebration. With a festival almost every weekend, the Big Easy stays true to its motto: “Laissez le bons temps rouler,” or “Let the good times roll.”
After just a couple of hours in New Or-lins (emphasis on the “O”), you will soon understand why locals never leave, why event rebookings are strong, and why there’s always reason to celebrate—despite the hardships the area has endured.
