CVB:Feb/March

TOURISM MATTERS NEW ORLEANS

CONVENTION & VISITO RS B U RE AU F E B R U A R Y/ M A R C H 2 011

A Year of Events Mark Milestone Anniversaries

A

MESSAGE

FROM THE PRESIDENT/CEO

Dear Friends of the New Orleans CVB, 2010 was quite a year. National lodging industry results through December 2010 place New Orleans as the number one destination for RevPar growth (Revenue per available room) in the country.

New Orleans was able to overcome previously flat booking lovels and fares much better than other major US cities suffering from the economic downturn, high unemployment and the national backlash against meetings.

We experienced a Super Bowl victory, recordbreaking festival and convention attendance and many sold out weekends.

Visitors ranked New Orleans as one of the hottest destinations in America.

The CVB celebrated 50 years of driving private sector tourism.

New Orleans was placed at the forefront of American tourism through the CVB’s national leadership positions with Destination Marketing Association International, the US Travel Association and the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.

We secured and leveraged BP marketing funds to overcome misperceptions, preserve jobs and maintain New Orleans' $5 billion tourism industry following the oil spill. As a direct result of the $5 million investment spent in the traditionally slow third quarter, the destination ranked number one in the US for RevPar growth, and experienced a 33 percent hotel tax collection increase.

However, in 2011, challenges remain. The CVB is focusing on sustaining growth, creating demand and driving visitation beyond 2010 levels without an influx of additional marketing dollars. Remnant brand damage from Katrina and the oil spill is still being dealt with. Public Relations is confronting these misperceptions head-on by leveraging the expertise of our national PR firm and local partners to strengthen New Orleans’ reputation as a destination in the mainstream and trade press, as well as social media. PR is supporting the sales effort by creating customized attendance-building resources for conventions and meetings.

Also in 2011, we show an approximate eight percent reduction in our larger meetings that would have been held in 2011, but failed to sign because the booking renewal fell during the Katrina damage period. We are hopeful that strong attendance, a recovering economy, expanding our short-term meeting booking program, and a focused drive to increase market share in our re-energized leisure side is making up the difference and giving us several percentage points of growth in 2011. Hotel rate

02

FEBRUARY | MARCH 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

recovery is optimistically hoped for but is likely to be on a longer and shallower recovery curve than occupancy.

Convention Sales is ramping up focus on confirming short-term bookings while securing a solid base of future business. Need periods are receiving particular attention and the partnership with our colleagues at the Morial Convention Center is becoming stronger than ever. Aggressive strong travel and trade show schedules to see potential customers face to face will be a key.

Tourism is implementing a multi-faceted strategy to increase leisure visitation through domestic and international third party travel professionals, airlines, cruise lines, OTA’s, GDS’s and many others. These initiatives are influencing niche group bookings such as weddings, family reunions, students, cruises, festivals and social groups.

The CVB is making every effort toward achieving goals, objectives and plans envisioned in the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Master Plan for New Orleans tourism. The plan took a major blow as the city introduced a new requirement that the merger of marketing forces must be executed by a publicly governed entity. That, of course, was an impossibility after 50 years as a private corporation, and it would have put New Orleans at a huge competitive disadvantage relative to our biggest competitor CVBs, which all operate privately.

The New Orleans CVB, the city’s only comprehensive full service tourism organization and its only nationally accredited Destination Marketing Organization, is steadfast in our core mission to bring visitors to the city and serve our members and customers.

To enhance this mission, the CVB is implementing a local advocacy campaign providing clear information on the role of tourism in New Orleans as the largest and most successful private economic development corporation in Louisiana.

In the coming months, we also will share a plan to increase investment in CVB marketing which is essential to growing the industry and achieving the goals set forth in the BCG Master Plan.

Sincerely,

Stephen Perry President and CEO New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau

CVB

THE OUTGOING A FROMCHAIRMAN

MESSAGE

+++++++++++++++

W

elcome to the first issue of Tourism Matters, a new publication from the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), designed to celebrate the people and success stories of our city’s most important economic development engine – tourism.

Did you know?

• 70,000 people in every New Orleans neighborhood rely on the tourism industry for their livelihood. We are street performers, musicians, chefs, bellmen, artists, housekeepers, sales and marketing professionals, drivers, bartenders, florists, shop owners, cooks, tour guides, event planners, venue operators, technology providers, entrepreneurs and more.

• Visitors spend approximately $5 billion per year in New Orleans • Tourism generates $10 million annually for the New Orleans School Board • 7.5 million visitors came to New Orleans in 2009 • Tourism creates revenue for the New Orleans Saints, Hornets, Morial Convention Center, Louisiana Superdome, public schools, streetcars and city services • One in 12 people in Louisiana is employed as a result of the tourism industry • Without New Orleans’ tourism industry, every family in Louisiana would need to pay $2,702 more in taxes Tourism does not just happen on its own...it takes carefully plotted sales, public relations and marketing strategies, which is the mission of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. But for the CVB’s 1,000 members, dozens of volunteer leaders and 70 employees, promoting New Orleans is much more than a job – it’s their greatest passion.

The CVB was formed in 1960, but our work has been especially rewarding during the last five years when millions of travelers worldwide had to be

persuaded that it was safe to return to the city following Hurricane Katrina and the BP Oil Spill.

It’s remarkable how far we’ve come…for all of 2010, New Orleans ranked as the number one destination in the country for RevPar growth.

I hope that you enjoy Tourism Matters. Each issue will highlight our city’s culture, upcoming festivals and events, profiles of local newsmakers and breaking news from the tourism industry.

Thanks to all of you who take such good care of our visitors every day and contribute to this wonderfully authentic city that we are so fortunate to call home.

Sincerely,

Steve Pettus

2009 - 2010 Chairman of the Board New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau Managing Partner, Dickie Brennan & Company

FEBRUARY | MARCH 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ] 03

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

5

BEYOND THE BEADS

6

COVER STORY

8

GETTING TO N.O.

9

Tourism. Your Business, Your Community: Corporate Voluntourism

Celebrating 100 Years: A Year of Events Mark Milestone Anniversaries

Employee Spotlight: Christine DeCuir

INSIDE VIEUX CVB 2010 Year in Review

10

BOARD MEMBERS

11

BE A TOURIST

13

COMPANY’S COMING

16

MUSIC TO OUR EARS

Thank You 2009 - 2010 Volunteer Leaders

6 13

Festivals and Events to Enjoy

Conventions and Meetings in Town

What Others Are Saying About New Orleans

HOW ++++++++++++++++++++++++++

TOREACH US

Executive Team Stephen Perry, President and CEO Steve Moeller, Vice President of Finance and Administration Nikki Moon, Vice President of Convention Sales Kim Priez, Vice President of Tourism Kelly Schulz, Vice President of Public Relations and Communications Donna Karl, CMP, Vice President of Client Relations Brian Walker, Director of Information Technology Tammie Boteler, Director of Finance MaryBeth Guarisco, CMP, Director of Convention Services Pam Arbon and Jessica LaChute, Membership Managers

04

5

FEBRUARY | MARCH 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

11

Tourism Matters is published by Gambit Weekly and the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, 2020 St. Charles Ave. New Orleans, LA 70130, www.neworleanscvb.com, 504-566-5011 Tourism Matters Feedback and Story Ideas: publicaffairs@neworleanscvb.com

Departments Visitor Information: 1-800-672-6124, internet@neworleanscvb.com Membership: 504-566-5027, membership@neworleanscvb.com Public Relations and Communications: 504-566-5019, publicaffairs@neworleanscvb.com Tourism: 504-566-5065, tourism@neworleanscvb.com Convention Sales: 504-566-5040, cnvsales@neworleanscvb.com Convention Services: 504-566-5093, services@neworleanscvb.com Finance/Administration: 504-566-5089, finance@neworleanscvb.com

CVB

CORPORATE

AMERICA

++++++++++++++++++++

SELECTS NEW ORLEANS

+++++++++++++++++

FOR VOLUNTOURISM

PHOTO COURTESY OF MERCEDES-BENZ USA

Tucked away in the small borough of Montvale, NJ, lives the big corporation of German automaker, Mercedes-Benz. New Orleans CVB Convention Sales Manager, Mary Beth Mullin and CVB Eastern Regional Sales Manager from New York, Elizabeth George, CMM, made a sales call that led them right to the back door.

Literally.

Hans Lupold, the special events manager with Mercedes-Benz, is no stranger to New Orleans as he has held many events here. He knows the city – down to the generous hospitality from its people and the quality of service offered from the New Orleans CVB. In April of 2010, he accepted a meeting with Mary Beth and Elizabeth to discuss how New Orleans was doing after the storm, and to consider it for his National Dealer Business Forum set to take place in October. When Mary Beth and Elizabeth found the office, they had trouble finding the front doors so they entered through the employee entrance. Just as they thought they made it in, security stopped them and called “the big dog” to release them. There they met Hans and quickly developed a friendship and partnership that would last for years to come.

After only a few months of working with the CVB and hearing New Orleans has many options for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Hans had no trouble deciding on the unique city for his Bi-Annual Sales meeting on October 11 and 12. He deemed it the perfect place to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the automobile, which Mercedes-Benz invented. In honor of the 125th anniversary, they donated and planted 125 trees to City Park.

After the successful sales meeting wrapped up, 180 employees, donned in sneakers, jeans and Mercedes-Benz t-shirts, took an afternoon, boarded buses and headed toward City Park. They arrived to find pre-dug holes, 125 trees, shovels, wheelbarrows and Saints owner, Mr. Tom Benson, who also owns a dealership in New Orleans. For three and a half hours, the humble Mercedes-Benz staff from all over the country, along with the president and many vice presidents, mulched, planted, watered and generously donated their sweat and elbow grease by giving back to a city that, because of groups like this, has made huge strides. Cameras were flashing and video was rolling as the team slowly left their mark in one of the largest urban parks in the USA, a park that about 11 million people visit each year in the heart of New Orleans.

BY TARA LETORT

Under the beautiful 70-degree New Orleans sun, this meaningful, teambuilding experience was followed by a picnic in the newly landscaped park with discussions of how to do similar activities in the future.

Hans' response was that not only was the meeting incredible, but City Park was amazing in organizing everything. He couldn’t get over how the CVB went above and beyond the call of duty and the relentless effort to generate positive press around the tree planting. And to think, it all began by going in the wrong door.

This is just one example of how the New Orleans CVB can assist groups with CSR, in an effort to make this the most meeting planner-friendly destination.

The close partnerships with these convention groups and organizations allows us to recommend the most meaningful project, and match groups with the organization that best helps them reach their CSR goals.

CITY PARk

PHOTO COURTESY OF MERCEDES-BENZ USA

New Orleans City Park is one of the largest urban parks in the USA, with 1,300 acres of land and 22 miles of shorelines. This huge green oasis in the midst of the Big Easy has captured the hearts of locals and visitors for over 150 years. Volunteers play a key role in maintaining and developing a stronger park. With budgets recently cut by the State of Louisiana by over 50 percent and current staff still reduced to 85 full-time employees (before Hurricane Katrina - 115 full-time employees), volunteers are essential for the Park to take its place in the cultural and recreational rebirth of New Orleans.

The work is rewarding: Groups come to the park and tackle an area that needs work. After an investment of three hours, the area is much improved and the volunteers leave with a great sense of accomplishment!

To learn more about the voluntourism opportunities offered through the New Orleans CVB, visit neworleanscvb.com and click on voluntourism.

City Park, New Orleans Spotlight Contact: Jim Morrison 504-483-9459, jmorrison@nocp.org neworleanscitypark.com/volunteer.html

FEBRUARY | MARCH 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

05

Celebrating

“

100

YEARS AND BEYOND A YEAR OF EVENTS MARK MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES

In a city steeped in history, these milestone anniversary events make for unique entertaining opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

T

he New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) may be celebrating its 100th birthday but the museum isn’t slowing down and is stepping out with new hours, fresh programming and celebration exhibits you won’t want to miss. The museum, now open six days a week, welcomes visitors Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Fridays the museum will remain open until 9 p.m. to accommodate the new program addition, Where Y’Art? Each Friday evening, guests are invited to enjoy live musical performances, children’s activities, exhibition walk-throughs, guest speakers, theater and of course, amazing art.

The museum centennial is being marked by signature, commemorative exhibits including Great Collectors/ Great Donors: The Making of the New Orleans Museum of Art, 1910-2010 which ran through January 23, 2011 and 100 Masterworks for 100 Years- NOMA’s Centennial Celebration, November 13, 2011 - February 19, 2012.

Appealing to both locals and out-of-town guests, admission to the museum is free on Wednesdays,

“

PHOTO COURTESY OF NEW ORLEANS MUSEUM OF ART

06

BY JENNIFER DAY

FEBRUARY | MARCH 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

compliments of the Helis Foundation, and the Sculpture Garden, open seven days a week, is always free. For more information on NOMA events, exhibits and the Ralph Brennan Courtyard Café, visit www.noma.org.

The new year also marks the 125th anniversary of one of the city’s most famous hotel landmarks. The Hotel Monteleone, founded in 1886 by Sicilian immigrant Antonio Monteleone, is a perfect example of what makes for a great New Orleans, French Quarter hotel. Classic stylings, the unique Carousel Bar with piano lounge, superior service and a bit of mystery to boot, makes the Monteleone a wonderful recommendation for accommodations or an unforgettable night of entertaining.

A year-long calendar of events will honor the legends that shaped the hotel’s history and culture. “From special events and book releases to vacation getaway packages, strategic partnerships and the unveiling of Antonio Monteleone’s wax statue at the 125th anniversary gala, the year-long anniversary of the hotel promises to be another unforgettable year,” says Andrea Thornton, director of sales and marketing for the Hotel Monteleone.

During the course of the year, the Hotel Monteleone will recognize the various aspects that make up its colorful character including literary, musical, culinary, political and paranormal influences. It will pay tribute to authors such as Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner and Ernest Hemmingway who have stayed at and immortalized the hotel in their works. The hotel’s position as a literary muse has earned it the prestigious distinction as a Literary Landmark - an honor bestowed upon only three hotels in the entire country.

The Hotel Monteleone will also pay tribute to its musical heritage by honoring performers such as Etta James and locals like Dr. John, Louis Prima and Allen Toussaint among others who have entertained crowds with their talent over the years in the famous, revolving Carousel Bar. The Hotel will continue its sponsorship of the popular “Broadway Across America” series and will

CVB offer special theatre packages as a result. For more information on The Hotel Monteleone and anniversary events visit: www.hotelmonteleone. com This year’s Tennessee Williams Literary Festival marks the centennial of the famous writer’s birth and a silver anniversary for the fest. The 25th annual festival takes place March 23-27 and coincides with the writer’s 100th birthday on March 26. The fiveday fête honors the legendary Tennessee Williams, his works and literary life in the adopted city he called his “spiritual home” and features an array of activities spanning multiple disciplines across the arts. This includes two days of master classes, panel discussions, celebrity interviews, theater, food TENNESSEE and musical events, French Quarter WILLIAMS literary walking tours, a book fair and of course, the wildly popular Stella shouting contest.

Highlights include appearances from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Robert Olen Butler, Native New Orleanian and actor Grace Zabriskie (Twin Peaks, Seinfeld and Big Love), actor Bryan Batt (Salvatore Romano in hit TV series Mad Men) and critically-acclaimed author and creator of Forrest Gump, Winston Groom. For more information on the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival visit: www.tennesseewilliams.net.

In a city steeped in history, these milestone anniversary events make for unique entertaining opportunities for locals and visitors alike. Be sure to visit these institutions and participate in these celebratory events as a way of saying congratulations and supporting another one hundred years of New Orleans culture.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HOTEL MONTELEONE

CVB MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

1

YEAR

5 YEARS 10 YEARS

• The American Sector • Bean’s Formal Wear • Capdeville • Charlie’s Steak House • Crescent City Cooks!

• French Market Restaurant • Fritzel’s Jazz Club • f-stop Photography, L.L.C. • FWNO Foundation • InstaShots, LLC • John’s Tuxedos • Laporte, Sehrt, Romig, Hand • Mr. Mudbug, Inc./King Creole Foods • NOLA Tropical Winery • Rizzuto & Company, Inc. • Stewart Transportation Solutions, Inc. • Supernatural Solutions

15 YEARS 20 YEARS

• Neal Auction Company • Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers • Republic New Orleans

• Center Staging, Inc. • Pat Garin Photographer, LLC

• Astor Crowne Plaza • Deanie’s Seafood Restaurant • Four Points by Sheraton New Orleans Airport • GW Fins • Herbsaint Bar & Restaurant • Jazz Parlor known as The Bourbon Saloon • Muriel’s Jackson Square

• New Orleans…A La Carde • Signature Destination Management, LLC • Tours By Isabelle Inter-Tour Louisiane, Inc.

50 YEARS

• Reily Foods Company

FEBRUARY | MARCH 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

07

GETTING TON.O.

CVB EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

INSIDE VIEUX

CVB EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

++++++++++++++++++++++++

CVB 2010 YEAR IN REVIEW

Christine DeCuir

Tourism Leisure room nights booked

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PHOTO BY JEFF ANDING

A

nyone who has worked with New Orleans CVB Media Services Coordinator Christine DeCuir knows her passion for life and for her city. Christine joined the New Orleans CVB in 1974 and is entering her 37th consecutive year of service, longer than any other employee! We asked this active grandmother of five and Lower 9th Ward resident to reflect on her remarkable career…

You’ve seen a lot of technological advances in your time at the CVB… going from typewriters to Twitter. Is there a technology that you use now that you cannot imagine doing your job without?

Q

A

I would have to say email. It’s such an efficient way to contact clients and get valuable information across at a lightning speed. Just type, attach and click...you got it!

A

I would tell them that the CVB is the heart of the city (a one-stop shop). It keeps the blood flowing to all its vital organs.

Q A

What jobs have you held over the years?

Q

What do you plan to do when you retire?

A

Enjoy life and continue to promote New Orleans for another 36 years!

“

I started as file room clerk and moved to Convention Sales and Membership departments, before serving as the 08

What do you do in your free time?

FEBRUARY | MARCH 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

“

A

would you say to New Q What Orleans citizens who do not understand the role of the CVB?

Q

I like being a tourist in my hometown. I did not know how much this city had to offer until I started working for the CVB. Also in my free time, I love to walk my dog on the levee, which is right in my backyard, and volunteer my services to my church.

What is your fondest memory of your three decades with the CVB?

It would definitely be the outpouring of love after Hurricane Katrina and the help from friends I have made around the world.

receptionist for a short time. In the 1990s, the Public Relations department recruited me and a new chapter began in my life. I love meeting journalists from all ethnicities and introducing them to my city, which I love so much.

A

It sure beats sealing envelopes!

Q

CVB

I love meeting journalists from all ethnicities and introducing them to my city, which I love so much.

9,118 Customers hosted on site inspections

1,254 Group training sessions conducted by international offices

26 Tradeshows attended

by United States team

Convention Services Registration hours staffed

471 Site inspections coordinated

19

260,338

T

he New Orleans Convention and Visitors

Bureau is a nationally

room nights on a goal of 225,000

Travel agent inquiries answered

accredited, 1,000-member destination marketing organization and the largest

2,016

and most successful economic

Tentative leads generated

Louisiana. We create $5 billion

32

in new capital each year — more

development corporation in

than any other business sector — by attracting millions of visitors,

Tradeshows attended by the international offices

special events and conventions.

20

Our 70 professional staff members in New Orleans and offices in Washington DC, Chicago, New York, Paris,

46,798

London, Mexico City and Frankfurt met or exceeded all

Business leads sent to CVB members

performance metrics in 2010.

95

Following are a few examples of

Promotional trips attended for future conventions

tourism industry.

how we drive the city’s $5 billion

Convention Sales Definite room nights booked in 2010 for future years

127,000 Tentative room nights booked in 2010 for future years

893,000 Leads issued by regional offices

303

1,185,000 Definite room nights booked in 2010 for 2010

5,700,000

Convention attendees hosted in New Orleans

758 Site inspections conducted for definite and tentative business cont. pg 10

>

FEBRUARY | MARCH 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

09

INSIDE VIEUX ++++++++++++++++++++++++

CVB 2010 YEAR IN REVIEW

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CONTINUED

MEMBERS

thank you...

Convention Sales Customers assisted by VP of Client Relations

3 Number of emergency plans created for customers

39 Customers assisted by Director of Group PR

107

250 Familiarization trips hosted

5 Tradeshows and industry meetings attended

180

organizations personally visited and an additional 250 by phone/email

Number of customers in attendance at CVB education seminars in Chicago and Washington D.C.

Membership New members secured

56 Member events hosted

140 Member consultations

14

Public Relations

188% Percentage of goal achieved for journalists hosted on individual and group press trips

10

BOARD 2009 - 2010

Percentage of goal achieved for media stories secured

151%

FEBRUARY | MARCH 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

Executive Committee STEVE PETTUS Dickie Brennan & Company [ Chairman ]

BILL MCCREARY Sheraton New Orleans [ Chairman-elect ]

RON FORMAN Audubon Nature Institute [ Past Chairman ]

TERRY EPTON USA Hosts [ Secretary ]

AL GROOS Royal Sonesta Hotel [ Treasurer ]

Board of Directors AMY REIMER International Ho use Hotel

CLANCY DUBOS Gambit Communications, Inc.

FRANK BRIGTSEN Brigtsen’s Restaurant

GARY LAGRANGE Port of New Orleans

GREGORY RUSOVICH New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation

JOHN PAYNE Harrah’s Casino

JAY WEIGEL Contemporary Arts Center

CHRISTOPHER BARDELL CLB Investments

DARRIUS GRAY Staybridge Suites

DOUG THORTON SMG/Superdome/Arena

DR. GERRY CVITANOVICH GIL ZANCHI Millenium Healthcare Marriott Hotel Group Management FRED SAWYERS Hilton Hotels New Orleans

Honorary Positions HONORABLE STACY HEAD Councilmember District “B”

HONORABLE JAMES CARTER Councilmember District “C”

ERNEST COLLINS Mayor Nagin’s Administration

BE A

CVB

TOURIST ++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++ 2011 FESTIVALS AND EVENTS TO ENJOY FEBRUARY

DANCE Feb 4: Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St. New Orleans Ballet Association Presents Trey McIntyre Project with Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

Join us for one night only with choreographer Troy McIntyre. In 2008, NOBA commissioned Trey to create a new work to New Orleans jazz music, 8 P.M., (504) 522-0996 ext. 1, www.nobadance.com

MARDI GRAS FESTIVITIES Feb 19: French Quarter Area. Krewe du Vieux. Known for their satirical themes and irreverent style, Krewe du Vieux is one of Carnival’s most anticipated Mardi Gras krewes with the hand-made, mule-drawn floats and adult themes, 6:30 P.M., www.kreweduvieux.org Feb 20: Veterans Blvd., Metairie.

Lil Rascals Parade. Founded in 1983, the Lil Rascals are a youth-oriented Mardi Gras parade krewe made up of children, 12 P.M., www. mardigrasparadeschedule.com/ krewes/littlerascals Feb 25: French Quarter Area. Krewe of Cork. Founded in 2000, the Krewe of Cork is quickly growing into a world famous Mardi Gras wine and industry phenomenon, 3 P.M., www.kreweofcork.com Feb 26: Veterans Blvd., Metairie.

Krewe of Caesar. Founded in 1978, this parade is the largest carnival organization in Jefferson Parish, 6 P.M., www.kreweofcaesar.org

Feb 27: French Quarter Area. Krewe of Barkus. New Orleans' only Carnival parade for dogs, Barkus trots down the streets of the French Quarter two Sundays before Mardi Gras, 1:15 P.M., www. barkus.org

MUSIC For live music listings visit: www.bestofneworleans.com www.offbeat.com www.neworleanscvb.com Feb 4: New Orleans Arena, 1501 Girod St. Rascal Flatts, 7:30 P.M., (800) 745-3000, www. orleansarena.com, $23.00 $97.00 for admission Feb 14: Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St. Celtic Woman-Songs from the Heart. Celtic Woman, a smash hit around the globe, returns with their most recent live show! Come see Celtic Woman with their six-piece band and the Aontas Choir perform unique renditions of Irish standards, classical favorites and contemporary hits, 7:30 P.M., (800) 745-3000, www. mahaliajacksontheater.com

FRENCH QUARTER FEST PHOTO BY PAT GARIN

the history of opera, foreign language terms and even career opportunities, 10:30 A.M. and Noon, (504) 528-3805, www. cacno.org

SPECIAL EVENTS Feb 12: Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St. Sweet Arts 2011.

Sweet Arts 2011 will celebrate individuals and organizations that embody the heart and soul of the New Orleans cultural arts community, 9 P.M., (504) 5283805, www.cacno.org Feb 13: New Orleans Area. Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras Marathon and 1/2 Marathon. The Mardi Gras Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon course offers runners a virtual guided tour of the most historic and scenic high points of New Orleans, www.mardi-gras. competitor.com

Feb 19: Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St. American Masters presented by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, 8 P.M., (504) 525-1052, www.mahaliajacksontheater.com

Feb 16: City Park Pavilion of Two Sisters. Gambit’s Food Revue.

A mash up of restaurants exclusively selected from Gambit’s food reviews, this wildly eclectic food party will take attendees all over the map while sampling the many great cuisines New Orleans has to offer, 7 P.M., www. bestofneworleans.com/gambit/ GambitsFoodRevue/Page, Early Admission $45, VIP Admission $65

Feb 19: Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St. MetroPelican Opera presents “Opera a LA Carte.”

Join the MetroPelican Opera on stage during their lively journey through opera’s “greatest hits” in “Opera A La Carte.” Using famous excerpts from The Barber of Seville, Carmen, Hansel and Gretel, II Travatore and The Magic Flute, the audience explores

Feb 19: Audubon Zoo, 6500 Magazine St. Audubon Zoo Presents-Get Yah Praise On. Local African American ministries perform during this hand clapping, foot stomping, spirit-filled gospel music experience, 11 A.M. - 2 P.M., (504) 581-4629, www. auduboninstitute.org

SPORTS New Orleans Hornets, NBA Men’s Basketball, New Orleans Arena, 1501 Girod St., (504) 587-3663 or (800)-4NBATIX, www.hornets.com Feb 1: New Orleans Hornets vs.

Washington Wizards, 7 P.M. Feb 5: New Orleans Hornets vs.

L.A. Lakers, 7 P.M. Feb 7: New Orleans Hornets vs.

Minnesota Timberwolves, 7 P.M. Feb 12: New Orleans Hornets vs.

Chicago Bulls, 7 P.M. Feb 23: New Orleans Hornets vs.

L.A. Clippers, 7 P.M. Feb 27: New Orleans Hornets vs.

Houston Rockets, 6 P.M. Feb 13: New Orleans Arena, 1501 Girod St. The Harlem Globetrotters. The legendary Harlem Globetrotters will be celebrating their 85th consecutive season, 3 P.M., (800) 745-3000, www. harlemglobetrotters.com, $12.75$76.50 for admission

THEATER Feb 11-13: Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin cont. pg 12

>

FEBRUARY | MARCH 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

11

BE A TOURIST ++++++++++++++++++

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS TO ENJOY continued...

St. The Color Purple. It is based on the classic Pultizer Prizewinning novel by Alice Walker and the moving film by Steven Spielberg, it is unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who finds the strength to triumph over adversity, and discover her unique voice in the world, 8 P.M. Friday- Saturday, 2 P.M Saturday-Sunday, and 7:30 P.M. Sunday, (800)745-3000, www. mahaliajacksontheater.com

March Festivals March 12-13: Audubon Zoo, 6500 Magazine St. Soul Fest. Now in its 8th year, Soul Fest is a celebration of African American food, music, crafts and culture.

It was created to celebrate the achievements of African Americans while education zoo visitors about their heritage, wellness and culture, 10 A.M. - 5 P.M., (504) 581-4629, www. auduboninstitute.org March 17-20: New Orleans Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Blvd. The 56th Annual New Orleans Home and Garden Show. The New Orleans Home & Garden Show is the largest consumer home show in the Southeastern United States, Call (504) 8356383 for show times, www. neworleanshomeshows.com/ homeandgardenshow March 23-27: French Quarter Area. Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival. Join us for the Centennial birthday of the great playwright Tennessee Williams. Since 1987, the Tennessee Williams/ New Orleans Literary Festival has been supporting writers,

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thespians and other cultural professionals during the annual Festival. In a world dominated by fast-paced commercialism, the Festival reminds us how a play, a book or a song can change our lives, (504) 581-1144, www. tennesseewilliams.net March 25-27: 300-600 Royal St. New Orleans Roadfood Festival Presented by Capital One. The 3rd Annual New Orleans Roadfood Festival features six blocks of Royal Street in the heart of the French Quarter lined with dozens of top Roadfood cooks from New Orleans and all of Louisiana as well as from all across America, each offering a unique specialty.

This is NOT typical and expected festival fare: it is a taste of America most celebrated dishes, all gathered in one place: a foodie’s dream, (504) 293-2657, www. neworleansroadfoodfestival.com March 25-April 3: French Quarter Spring Fiesta. The highlight of the Spring Fiesta is a daylong series of events designed to entertain, educate, and allow all to revel in the cultural heritage that is uniquely New Orleans. The festival includes a parade of horse-drawn carriages through the French Quarter and the presentation of the Spring Fiesta Queen and her court at Jackson Square.

Tours of private homes, gardens and courtyards complete the remainder of the activities, (504) 581-1367, www.springfiesta.com

Mardi Gras Festivities March 3: Uptown, St. Charles Ave. Knight of Bablylon, 5:45 P.M. March 4: Uptown, St. Charles Ave. Knights of Hermes, 6 P.M. March 5: Mid-City. Krewe of Endymion, 4:15 P.M. March 6: Uptown, St. Charles Ave. Krewe of Bacchus, 5:15 P.M.

FEBRUARY | MARCH 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

March 7: Woldenberg Riverfront Park.

Zulu Lundi Gras Festival. The 2011 Zulu Lundi Gras Festival lives up to its good-times reputation for the 19th consecutive year, when the 500 members of the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club host a full day of fun and excitement along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, www.lunidgrasfestival.com March 8: Metro New Orleans Area.

Mardi Gras Day. Mardi Gras Day, also known as Fat Tuesday, revelers come to enjoy a long day of parades and celebrations beginning with Zulu followed by Rex. Parades begin at 8:00 a.m.

Note: For a complete listing of Mardi Gras parades, times and routes, please visit www.neworleanscvb. com

Music For live music listings visit: www.bestofneworleans.com www.offbeat.com www.neworleanscvb.com

PHOTO BY PAT GARIN

(800)-4NBATIX, www.hornets.com March 9: New Orleans Hornets vs.

Dallas Mavericks, 7 P.M. March 12: New Orleans Hornets vs.

Sacramento Kings, 7 P.M. March 14: New Orleans Hornets vs.

Denver Nuggets, 7 P.M. March 16: New Orleans Hornets vs.

Phoenix Suns, 7 P.M. March 19: New Orleans Hornets vs.

Boston Celtics, 7 P.M.

theater special events March 12: Corner of Felicity and Magazine St., St. Patrick’s Day Parade, 1 P.M., www. irishchannelno.org March 19: French Quarter Area.

Italian-American Saint Joseph’s Day Parade, 6 P.M., www. italianamericanmarchingclub.org

sports New Orleans Hornets, NBA Men’s Basketball, New Orleans Arena,1501 Girod St., (504) 587-3663 or

March 15-20: Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St. West Side Story. From the first note to the final breath, West Side Story soars as the greatest love story of all time and remains powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The new Broadway cast album of West Side Story recently won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album, 8 P.M. Tuesday- Saturday, 2 P.M. Matinee Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 P.M. Sunday, (800)745-3000, www. mahaliajacksontheater.com

CVB

COMPANY’S

COMING +++++++++++++++++++

+++++ 2011 CONVENTIONS AND MEETINGS IN TOWN Below is a list of some of the groups secured by the New Orleans CVB to hold their meeting in New Orleans with a projected attendance of 500 or more.

February 3-7 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting 18,000 attendees The American Academy of Dermatology is the largest, most influential and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of over 16,000, it represents virtually all practicing dermatologists in the United States.

7-9 Battelle Memorial Institute International Sediments Conference 920 attendees Battelle is the world’s largest, independent research and development organization, working to advance scientific discovery and application.

9-12 American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting 7,500 attendees The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is a national professional organization representing more than 74,000 members. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research and education.

11-13 Empire Gymnastics Academy New Orleans Jazz Invitational 600 attendees

Empire Gymnastics Academy takes pride in hosting the annual New Orleans Jazz Invitational Meet, which has consistently drawn excellent competition from coast to coast since the very first meet in 2005. This year, more than 800 competitors from across the United States will compete.

16-19 National Association for Bilingual Education Annual National Convention 2,400 attendees Celebrating 40 years of educational excellence in reforming, renewing and achieving equity through bilingual education and biliteracy.

16-21 International Jewelry Fair/General Merchandise Show by Helen Brett Enterprises 15,000 attendees Helen Brett Enterprises, Inc. is a full service, trade show production and management company that currently conducts semi-annual Gift and Jewelry Shows in New Orleans and Memphis, plus the Mid-South Jewelry & Accessories Fair. Often “sold out,” the shows range from 450 to 1,200 booth spaces while attracting 8,000 to as many as 30,000 qualified buyers. Just over 19 years old, The International Jewelry Fair/General Merchandise Show is held twice every year in New Orleans.

17-19 Silpada Designs Leadership Conference 1,100 attendees Silpada Designs is committed to maintaining a standard of excellence in providing quality products, great hostess benefits, outstanding representative support and a life-changing business opportunity.

19-22 Council for Advancement & Support of Education Joint Conference 1,200 attendees The Council for Advancement and Support of Education(CASE) is a professional association serving educational institutions and the advancement professionals who work on their behalf in alumni relations, communications, development, marketing and allied areas.

CASE helps its members build stronger relationships with their alumni and donors, raise funds for campus projects, produce recruitment materials, market their institutions to prospective students, diversify the profession, and foster public support of education.

16-20 ESPN Bass Masters Bass Master Classic 70,000 attendees Fifty of the world’s top anglers will compete for the title of Bassmaster Classic champion on the Louisiana Delta.

PHOTO BY PAT GARIN

20-24 Underwater Intervention International Conference © 1,000 attendees Underwater Intervention is the combined annual conference of the Association of Diving Contractors International and the Marine Technology Society’s ROV Committee Underwater Intervention is the world’s premiere event for Remotely Operated Vehicles, Commercial Diving Contractors, Manned Submersibles and all other aspects of the Underwater Operations Industry.

22-25 National Black Methodists for Church Renewal 43rd Annual Meeting 500 attendees BMCR represents and is dedicated to more than 2,400 Black United Methodist congregations and approximately 500,000 African American members across the United States.

24-27 National Association of Entrepreneurship Annual Conference

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COMPANY’S

+++++++++++++++++++ COMING ++++++++

CONVENTIONS AND MEETINGS IN TOWN

continued...

1,000 attendees The National Association of Entrepreneurship Institutions (NAEI) is a business trade organization under the Micro-Business Enterprise Association (MBEA) LLC. It was established to promote and teach the Modern American Entrepreneurship Philosophy in public and private schools, colleges and other entrepreneurial institutions.

28-March 1 Resource Recycling North American Plastics Recycling Conference 850 attendees Resource Recycling, L.L.C. is a privately held company that develops Ash Processing and Metal Recovery Systems specifically for the Waste-toEnergy industry. The company is uniquely qualified to produce value-added metal products from the W-T-E ash stream and market these products to consumers, including project development, preliminary design, and consultation, meeting the unique operational and mechanical requirements of each customer.

28-March 4 Cisco Partner Summit 4,000 attendees Cisco is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate.

28-March 3 World Aquaculture Society Aquaculture America 2011 800 attendees The World Aquaculture Society (WAS) is an international non-profit organization with over 3,000 members in 100 countries. Founded

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PHOTO BY PAT GARIN

in 1969, the primary focus of WAS is to strengthen and facilitate communication and information exchange on high priority topics and emerging issues within the diverse global aquaculture community.

28-March 2 Electronic Retailing Association 2011 E-Retailing Summit 1,000 attendees Representing a more-than $300-billion market, the Electronic Retailing Association (ERA) is the only trade association that represents the global leaders of the directto-consumer marketplace— companies which use the power of direct response to sell goods and services on television, online and radio.

March 3-11 School of Urban Missions Mardi Gras Outreach 500 attendees The School of Urban Missions is a fully accredited Bible College that prepares men and women to impact cities for Christ, with a vision to recruit and train indigenous leaders that produce change.

9-12 Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates Annual Symposium 575 attendees The Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA) establishes the scope and standards of urologic nursing practice and the scope and standards of advanced urologic nursing practice. SUNA provides scholarships, grants and awards to deserving nurses and other health care professionals and supports and promotes the

FEBRUARY | MARCH 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

certification of urologic nurses and associates by providing educational preparation for the examinations offered, which lead to certification in three areas.

10-12 Society for Cinema and Media Studies 900 attendees The Society for Cinema and Media Studies is the leading organization of cinema professors and media scholars.

11-12 Capella University Commencement 1,500 attendees The Capella University Commencement ceremony encompasses the history and tradition of a university and its faith in its teaching and philosophy.

13-17 George Wright Society Annual Conference 750 attendees The Society strives to be the premier organization connecting people, places, knowledge and ideas to foster excellence in

natural and cultural resource management, research, protection and interpretation in parks and equivalent reserves 5-18 Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages Annual March North American Convention 8,000 attendees Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. (TESOL) is a global association for English language teaching professionals encompassing a network of approximately 52,000 educators worldwide, consisting of more than 12,000 individual members and an additional 40,000 educators within the 100 plus TESOL affiliate associations.

TESOL’s mission is to develop and maintain professional expertise in English language teaching and learning for speakers of other languages worldwide.

15-18 Central Conference of American Rabbis Annual Meeting 500 attendees The Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) members are the body of rabbis who

CVB consider themselves and are considered to be the organized rabbinate of Reform Judaism. The CCAR enriches and strengthens the Jewish community by empowering Reform Rabbis to provide religious, spiritual and organizational leadership as it fosters excellence in Reform Rabbis, enhances Reform Rabbis’ professional and personal lives, and amplifies the voice of the Reform Rabbinate in the Reform Movement, the Jewish community and the world in which we live.

15-21 National Coffee Association of USA Anniversary Conference 500 attendees The National Coffee Association serves the public and members by championing the well-being of the coffee industry within the context of the global coffee community.

16-19 Southeastern Section of the American Urology Association Annual Meeting 500 attendees The Southeastern Section of the AUA (SESAUA) is but one of the many “Sections” of the American Urological Association, Inc., the “AUA.” The AUA itself is now an international organization of urologists, numbering more

than 13,000. The Southeastern Section is composed of almost 2,100 urologists; all the active members having been certified by the American Board of Urology, practicing, teaching and researching in nine of the Southeastern United States, Panama, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

16-19 National Ornamental & Miscellaneous Metals Association (Metalfab) 900 attendees The National Ornamental & Miscellaneous Metals Association serves the ornamental and miscellaneous metals industry and has over 1,000 members across the U.S. and in over a dozen foreign countries. Members produce the full spectrum of ornamental and miscellaneous metalwork, ranging from railings to driveway gates, and from sculpture to light structural steel.

NOMMA’s largest event is the METALfab convention and trade show, which typically takes place every year in March or April in different cities around the United States.

16-17 American Bar Association Tips - Transportation Mega Conference 500 attendees

The largest voluntary professional association in the world with more than 400,000 members, the American Bar Association provides law school accreditation, continuing legal education, information about the law, programs to assist lawyers and judges in their work, and initiatives to improve the legal system for the public.

20-21 SunGard Higher Education SunGard Summit 9,000 attendees SunGard Higher Education serves colleges, universities and foundations in 40 countries worldwide, helping them build the resources they need to support new communities of learners.

Today, 1,600 higher education organizations, 10 million students and thousands of educational communities around the world rely on their broad portfolio of solutions and expert guidance to find better ways to teach, learn, manage and connect.

23-27 American Counseling Association Annual Conference 3,000 attendees The American Counseling Association is a not-for-profit, professional and educational organization that is dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession.

23-26 American Marketing Association International Collegiate Conference 1,000 attendees The American Marketing Association is a professional association for marketers with approximately 40,000 members, 76 professional chapters and 250 collegiate chapters across the United States.

PHOTO BY PAT GARIN

23-27 Anxiety Disorders Association of America Annual Meeting 700 attendees The Anxiety Disorders Association

PHOTO BY PAT GARIN

of America (ADAA) is the only United States nonprofit organization solely dedicated to increasing awareness and improving the diagnosis, treatment and cure of anxiety disorders in children and adults.

23-24 Council on Litigation Management Meeting 1,000 attendees The Council on Litigation Management is a nonpartisan alliance of corporations, insurance companies, law firms and service providers committed to furthering the highest standards of litigation management.

27-29 Howard Weil Brokerage Annual Energy Conference 800 attendees Howard Weil’s Annual Energy Conference is one of the premier energy investor conferences in the industry. Entering its 38th year, the Howard Weil conference attracts institutional investors from all over the world to New Orleans for presentations by, and interaction with, CEOs and other top-level management representing a broad range of energy companies.

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15

MUSIC

TO OUR EARS +++++++++++++++++++++++++

+++++++++ WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT NEW ORLEANS “More than 15,000 of our sorority sisters are still talking about the great time they had in New Orleans. They can’t wait to return!” - Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre, National President, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, October 2010

“

“

I really appreciate all of your help before, during and after conference. I have had assistance in other host cities but you have definitely taken it to a different level. I’m very impressed.

You and your team have gone above and beyond the call and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. I feel sorry for the CVB Marketing team we will be working with next year…going to be a tough act to follow. - Gregg McGrath, Marketing Manager, American Society for Microbiology, November 2010

TOURISM MATTERS (SAME BOX AS ON COVER)

TOURISM MATTERS NEW ORLEANS

CONVENTION & VISITORS B U RE AU F E B R U A R Y/ M A R C H 2011

Tourism Matters

Tourism Matters 2020 St. Charles New Orleans CVB Ave. 2020 St. Charles Ave. New Orleans, LA 70130 New Orleans, LA 70130

- Lori Harrison, Director, Public Information, Water Environment Federation, November 2010

PRSRT STD. U.S.POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT NO 291 New Orleans, LA