CVB May/June

TOURISM MATTERS NEW ORLEANS

CONVENTION & VISITO RS B U RE AU A P R I L / M AY 2 011

Spring Festivals:

Key Drivers of New Orleans’ Economy

A

MESSAGE FROM THE

PRESIDENT/CEO

Dear Friends of the New Orleans CVB,

&

Welcome to the second 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.

Springtime in New Orleans means gorgeous weather, festival season, the legislative session where we will fight for more marketing dollars for our industry and our annual salute to travel and tourism in America.

The first full week of May is recognized as National Travel and Tourism Week, a tradition celebrated annually since 1984. It was established as National Tourism Week when the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution in 1983 designating the week to be celebrated in May. In a White House ceremony, President Reagan even signed a Presidential Proclamation urging citizens to observe the week with the appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Today the U.S. Travel Association spearheads local events in cities, states and travel businesses nationwide to champion the power of travel. CVB members are invited to our National Tourism Week Business Expo and Luncheon on May 11.

Stay tuned for details.

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APRIL | MAY 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

CHAIRMAN

OF THE BOARD ++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We hope everyone will join us on the morning of May 10 for our second annual travel rally, which is open to the public. Thousands of front-line employees, CVB members and elected officials will take to the streets for a Mardi Gras-style parade. Our goal is to send a resounding message to our citizens, the media, business leaders and national policymakers that tourism matters.

Tourism means jobs for 70,000 hospitality industry employees at every level. It means $5 billion in economic impact to New Orleans each year and the most powerful economic development corporation in the state of Louisiana. Please join us for the rally and show that you are the face of travel.

Sincerely,

Stephen Perry President and CEO New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau

William McCreary 2011 Chairman of the Board New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau Area Managing Director, Starwood Hotels & Resorts

CVB

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

4

BEYOND THE BEADS

5

GETTING TO N.O.

6

COVER STORY

8

GETTING TO N.O.

9

INSIDE VIEUX

9

4

Tourism. Your Business, Your Community: How Conventions Find Their Way to New Orleans Member Spotlight: Creole Delicacies

Ain’t Nothing But a Party. Or Is It? Spring Festivals: Key Drivers of the New Orleans Economy

Employee Spotlight: Rachel Avery

6 13

Latest News from CVB Departments

MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES Congratulations CVB Members

10

GETTING TO N.O.

11

BE A TOURIST

13

COMPANY’S COMING

16

MUSIC TO OUR EARS

Leadership Spotlight: Board Members Say Why They Love New Orleans

Festivals and Events to Enjoy

Conventions and Meetings in Town

11

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 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 IT Tammie Boteler, Director of Finance MaryBeth Guarisco, CMP, Director of Convention Services Pam Arbon and Jessica LaChute, Membership Managers

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 Executive Office: 504-566-5049, Executive Assistant Wanda Markase, wmarkase@neworleanscvb.com Finance/Administration: 504-566-5089, finance@neworleanscvb.com Convention Sales: 504-566-5040, cnvsales@neworleanscvb.com Convention Services: 504-566-5093, services@neworleanscvb.com Tourism: 504-566-5065, tourism@neworleanscvb.com Public Relations and Communications: 504-566-5019, publicaffairs@neworleanscvb.com Membership: 504-566-5027, membership@neworleanscvb.com

APRIL | MAY 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

03

BEYOND THE

BEADS ++++++++++++++++++++++

How Conventions Find Their Way to New Orleans

BY STEPHANIE TURNER

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

I

magine planning your family vacation. You know what they enjoy doing, so it’s not hard to select a destination and then coordinate the details of hotels, transportation, meals and attractions. And, if your family doesn’t have a great time on the trip, you’ll probably never hear the end of it, right? But that’s ok because it’s your family and they’ll love you anyway.

Think about if you had the responsibility of planning a vacation for everyone in your neighborhood. That’s getting a bit more complicated.

Now, imagine organizing a convention for 20,000 people from different countries or a sales meeting for a Fortune 500 company. When you see convention attendees wearing name badges walking around New Orleans, did you ever wonder who decided they would meet here?

That’s what a professional meeting planner does.

Enter the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau sales person.

We help convince meeting planners and their leadership to select New Orleans instead of other cities. The meeting destination choices are as plentiful as vacation locations, so separating our city from the competition is vital.

It may seem that the most important part of securing business is having the customer experience the culture, food, music and attractions that make New Orleans the most authentic destination in the country, but it is so much more. Make no mistake; our city is an ideal meeting location with the most welcoming and appreciative hospitality community in the nation. However, it can take weeks, months and sometimes years to sell New Orleans as the destination for a convention.

How do you stand out from dozens of other cities? Well, like so many things, the trick is in the details. It starts with researching the organization, understanding their needs and business objectives and then addressing these important items through customized written proposals, presentations and personal sales calls. Successfully matching the organizations’ needs with what the city can provide is how we’ve secured religious groups that bring nearly 30,000 teenage attendees, major medical meetings of thousands of corporate exhibitors and physicians and even family reunions.

“

“

When a customer decides to visit New Orleans, we work with our members to showcase all that the city has to offer.

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APRIL | MAY 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

When a customer decides to visit New Orleans, we work with our members to showcase all that the city has to offer in a tour that’s called a site inspection. It’s like inviting the in-laws to your house for the first time. Site inspections come in all shapes and sizes. Typically, a site inspection consists of tours of hotels and other venues and attractions under consideration.

In the case of large citywide meetings, the agenda is complex and time is of the essence. These sites last two or three days and can include the meeting planner, organization leadership and exhibitor committee members. We tour hotels to show that their lodging needs can be met. Sometimes, this means seeing up to 50 hotels. Along with the Morial Convention Center sales team, we demonstrate that the Center can effectively execute their exhibition and meeting. Touring venues, attractions and restaurants helps the meeting planner envision how the attendees will experience New Orleans at the end of the work day. We also coordinate a comprehensive bid on behalf of the destination that demonstrates New Orleans’ ability to seamlessly host their convention.

Site inspections take place nearly every day. Last year, the CVB conducted more than 300 sites for definite and tentative meetings.

Those meetings may have convened last month, or will meet next year, in 2017 or beyond. It’s no secret that we New Orleanians are passionate about our city and love nothing more than sharing our unique culture.

For those of us in the hospitality industry, we have the ultimate pleasure of sharing New Orleans with the world every day.

GETTING TO

N.O.

CVB

CVB MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT

Creole Delicacies Gourmet Shop & Catering Company

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

C

reole Delicacies has strong roots in New Orleans and offers several New Orleans staple products.

Tell us more about your organization.

A

Founded more than 50 years ago, Creole Delicacies is located at 533 St. Ann St. in the historic lower Pontalba Building of Jackson Square. It is a family business that is locally owned and operated by the Suttons and the Verlanders.

Our shop carries local cookbooks,

coffee, kitchen gadgets and just about any Louisiana specialty food, especially Creole and Cajun gourmet products, many of which are homemade in our local facility or small patio kitchen.

In addition to the retail store, we have a wholesale and mail-order business as well as a catering division that focuses on special events and festivals. We are also a favorite stop on the Culinary History Tour.

Q

It sounds like Creole Delicacies offers several products and delicious confections. What would you name as a customer favorite?

A

Locals and visitors often claim our creamy pralines as a favorite, a product that was featured on an episode of The Food Network. The spicy Mardi Gras Dip is also a top seller and is part of our line of spices under the Cookin’ Cajun label.

Q

You have been a member of the New Orleans CVB for 50 years. Why did you become a member?

A

Being a member of the CVB has always been important to us. They understand that unique organizations like ours make New Orleans even more appealing to potential leisure travelers and convention customers, our bread and butter.

The value to us is that the CVB constantly spreads the word about our organization and our city, letting the world know that we are ready to welcome them to New Orleans.

Q

How has your relationship with the New Orleans CVB enhanced your organization’s mission?

A

Through business-to-business events, leads, newsletters and other communication pieces, the CVB keeps us updated on what is happening in tourism and how we can benefit from industry news and trends. CVB networking events give us an opportunity to meet other members and industry colleagues, who then turn to Creole Delicacies to cater special events or send a special gift basket to a client. The CVB also gives us a strong community base as we often turn to fellow members for their services. After all, we are all working together to promote New Orleans.

For more information on Creole Delicacies, please visit www.cookincajun.com.

“

“

Q

Locals and visitors often claim our creamy pralines as a favorite, a product that was featured on an episode of The Food Network.

APRIL | MAY 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

05

AIN’T NOTHING BUT A

PARTY IT? OR IS

SPRING FESTIVALS:

KEY DRIVERS OF THE NEW ORLEANS ECONOMY

BY JENNIFER DAY

F

estivals are more than an opportunity to kick back and have a good time. In New Orleans, our constant calendar of special events and festivals act as anchor pieces of business for local companies from hoteliers to screen printers.

So while it may appear that only a handful of food and beverage vendors are reaping the benefits, the true economic impact ripples deep into our community.

Recent trends show that New Orleans festivals and celebrations are gaining momentum and are pumping millions of dollars into a wide-range of local businesses — all while serving as powerful vehicles that showcase the New Orleans brand across the world.

06

FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL

traffic to the Quarter. The festival is a muchanticipated, anchor weekend for local merchants. In a survey conducted by the French Quarter Business Association, the organization’s members ranked the French Quarter Festival as the most valuable special event for driving French Quarter business.

A prime example of the development of our spring events calendar is the French Quarter Festival presented by Capital One Bank (April 7-10). Created in 1984 to lure residents back to the Quarter after the World’s Fair and extensive sidewalk repairs, the festival started as a local initiative but has evolved into a major tourist draw and one of the city’s most profitable festivals. Last year, the festival broke attendance records with an estimated 512,000 visits to the festival grounds, generating an estimated total economic impact of more than $300 million. Fifty percent of festival attendees now come from outside of the New Orleans area, and the fest has attracted visitors from 37 states and 12 countries including Canada, Japan and Germany.

JAZZ AND HERITAGE FESTIVAL

As a clear sign of the festival’s growth, organizers have added a fourth day to the programming schedule.

“Locals Lagniappe Day,” Thursday, April 7, features musical acts with strong local appeal and provides an opportunity for area residents to enjoy the festival in an intimate atmosphere before most visitors arrive.

This fourth day also provides organizers additional time to open what has developed into a large-scale festival. The festival was recently featured in Forbes Magazine and is attracting dozens more journalists to the city to cover the celebration.

The end of April brings one of New Orleans’ most recognized events, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival presented by Shell (April 29-May 8). In its 42nd year, the powerhouse festival is famous for its eclectic mix of the biggest names in music history peppered with Louisiana’s favorite performers, unforgettable cuisine and enchanting arts and crafts. The Jazz Fest experience is an intoxicating gateway to the culture of New Orleans with local performers, artists and culinary professionals showcasing the best South Louisiana has to offer.

Sidney Smith, President of Haunted History Tours, shares, “My business is 99 percent tourist driven, but during French Quarter Fest, I see more locals.

They may be touring with friends from out of town or already being in the neighborhood for the festival encourages them to take a tour.”

French Quarter Festival’s commitment to community can also be found within the ethos of festival operations. The festival employs more than 800 local musicians, hosts roughly 70 local restaurants and employs 150 local service companies ranging from sanitation, staging, sound, security, merchandise production and more.

“French Quarter Festivals, Inc. only contracts local musicians, local restaurants, and local vendors,” explains Marci Schramm, Executive Director for French Quarter Festivals Inc. “All funds stay within the local economy, keeping our community healthy.”

All signs indicate that the French Quarter Festival is achieving their original goal to attract consumer

APRIL | MAY 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

PHOTO BY JAY COMBE

CVB PHOTO BY JAY COMBE

PHOTO BY JAY COMBE

More than 500 bands are presented with almost 90 percent being from Louisiana. More than 70 food booths, manned by regional residents, serve up top Louisiana dishes, and scores of artists, including those featured at the Louisiana Marketplace area, showcase their locally inspired work. The festival also creates priceless exposure for culture bearers such as Mardi Gras Indians and Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs who are featured at the many parades staged inside the Fair Grounds.

So as we move into the heart of festival season remember, special events and festivals are more than just a party. They are priceless opportunities to celebrate the creative culture of New Orleans. They are big business for establishments, service providers and professionals across the city. They are a gateway for relationship building with visitors, potential future residents and business developments. How many times have you heard a New Orleanian say, “I came here for (insert festival) and knew I had to move here.”?

Jazz Fest is an icon in the festival world and has been ranked Festival of the Year four times by Pollstar Magazine. The festival’s yearly lineup is covered in media outlets across the world perpetuating the notion of New Orleans as the mecca for live music. The festival’s programming leverages the star power of well-known headliners with the appeal of New Orleans’ culture, develops strong connections with visitors, and is highly successful in cultivating repeat visitors for the city. Average festival attendance tops 400,000 over the seven performance days and generates an estimated economic impact of $300 million.

NEW ORLEANS WINE AND FOOD EXPERIENCE

The festival brings economic opportunity to the entire city. Bed and breakfasts, coffee shops, restaurants and corner stores welcome hundreds of thousands of festival goers. Taxi cab companies and the Regional Transit Authority enjoy steady business carrying festival goers to and from the Fair Grounds. And with performances ending at 7 p.m. each evening, club owners and musicians entertain music lovers in venues across the city into the wee hours of the morning.

Johnny Blancher of Rock and Bowl explains, “Jazz Fest is by far the biggest engine for my business because it ends at dark, allowing people to filter throughout the market for the rest of the night.”

Paul Meyer, of Meyer The Hatter, says that April is his second busiest month due to people patronizing his store for straw hats and caps to wear at the festivals.

“Jazz Fest is the best festival for us because it is a well-known, world-class music festival that draws an affluent, large spending audience to New Orleans over 14 days. The Jazz Fest fans make Meyer The Hatter one of their annual stops as they tour around the city. Even the musicians and performers come by and get a hat from us. I helped Elvis Costello and some of the guys in his band last year a few hours before they played at the Fest.”

May 24-28, 2011 This five-day bacchanalia brings together world-renowned winemakers, celebrated chefs and industry insiders for a showcase of signature events designed to entertain, educate and inspire!

The 2011 event will kick off on Tuesday, May 24 with the Ella Brennan Award Dinner & Live Auction, followed by wine dinners in some of New Orleans’ most notable restaurants on Wednesday, the traditional Royal Street Stroll and Vinola Tasting on Thursday, and culminating with Grand Tastings on Friday and Saturday.

For more information: www.nowfe.com (504) 529-WINE (9463)

APRIL | MAY 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

07

GETTING TO

N.O.

CVB EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Rachel Avery

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

R

Tell us about your hometown.

A

I was raised in Canada, in Dunham, a rural town near the Vermont border. I grew up speaking English at home and French in school. I enjoy speaking French to international visitors in New Orleans. It’s nice to see their faces light up when they encounter someone who can speak their language.

Q

As a CVB Account Executive, you interact with thousands of meeting planner customers and future visitors. What do those folks tell you that they like most about New Orleans?

A

The food! It never fails … during promotional trips, convention attendees always come up to our booth and rave about the best meal they ever had, which was in New Orleans.

Q

Tell us about your career path.

A

Prior to coming to New Orleans, I worked for the Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau for four years, starting as an Intern and leaving as a Convention Sales Manager. It was a great introduction to CVB culture. I joined the New Orleans CVB in 2007 as a part-time Registrar, was hired full-time and promoted to Account Executive in 2009.

APRIL | MAY 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

Q

What do you enjoy most about your job?

A

I enjoy helping people, and to me, that’s the essence of the CVB. I love showcasing the city to meeting professionals. They appreciate that everyone, from the bell staff and valets, to the event teams, to the general managers, are so welcoming.

Q

What do you do in your free time?

A

I am the proud mother of two little boys, and our favorite thing to do is to play tourist in New Orleans. We absolutely love Mardi Gras. I think my boys knew how to shout ‘Throw me some thing, Mister!’ before they were two years old!

“

“

08

Q

PHOTO BY JEFF ANDING

achel Avery is an Account Executive in the Convention Services Department, which helps meeting planners find restaurants, venues, transportation, registrars and anything they need to make their meeting in New Orleans a success. In 2010, the six-person Convention Services Department coordinated 95 site inspections, staffed 46,798 registration hours and attended 19 promotional shows to promote New Orleans for future conventions.

I enjoy helping people, and to me, that’s the essence of the CVB.

CVB

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

LATEST NEWS FROM THE CVB TOURISM

T

CONVENTION SALES

he Tourism Department launched a certification program exclusively for travel agents. Beginning in March, neworleans4agents.com allows more travel agents to learn about the city and become a certified New Orleans specialist. Due to an increase in bookings from travel agents over the years, the CVB wanted to provide a tool for selling tips, which in turn will help travel agents make more money, and the city attract more visitors. For more information, email Leslie at lstraughan@neworleanscvb.com.

T

he CVB and its local hospitality partners secured one of the largest citywide meetings to ever be booked one year out. For the first time since 2005, the International CTIA Wireless Show, the premier mobile industry event representing a $1 trillion global marketplace, will take place May 8-10, 2012, at the Morial Convention Center. This will be the seventh time CTIA has met in New Orleans, which is more than any other city.

“CTIA is a huge win for New Orleans,” says Donna Glover, the CVB Director of Association Sales instrumental in confirming this major piece of business. “The convention is set to bring nearly $47 million in economic impact, utilizing nearly every hotel property in Orleans and Jefferson parishes.”

PR AND COMMUNICATIONS

T

ara Letort, Director of Group PR and Donna Karl, CMP, VP of Client Relations, recently traveled to Washington D.C., where they met with 11 major convention customers. They presented the CVB’s library of attendance-building tools and held strategic conversations about how the CVB can help customers advance their business goals. Groups ranged in size from 750 to 25,000 attendees, and represented associations such as the AARP, Society of Government Meeting Professionals and Club Managers Association of America. The visits were well-received by customers, who reinforced that New Orleans is one of the most marketingsavvy and meeting-planner-friendly CVBs in the nation.

5 +

10 YEARS

15 YEARS

20 YEARS

25 YEARS

30 YEARS

40 YEARS

50 YEARS

YEARS • Bookit.com • Brennan’s Printing & Direct Mail • Desire Oyster Bar • Gulf Talent Services • Loyola University New Orleans • Mac Papers • Southwest Airlines Vacations

• Bourbon Vieux • Riverview Room

CVB MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES • Bourbon Street Experience • Hampton Inn LaPlace • Jackson Brewery Millhouse • Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrere & Denegre • Renaissance Pere Marquette Hotel • Stella!

• Mrs. Melba Steeg

• Crescent City Fitness Foundation • The Ehrhardt Group • Kelley & Abide Co., Inc. • Mardi Gras Records • Omni Royal Crescent Hotel • Transportation Management Services • Visit Baton Rouge

• Le Pavillon Hotel

• Avis Rent-A-Car

• Creole Delicacies Gourmet Shop & Catering Company

APRIL | MAY 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

09

GETTING TO

N.O.

LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT Members of the CVB’s 2011 Board of Directors talk about why they love New Orleans ….

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

Amy Reimer, Board Member General Manager, International House Hotel

10

Q

Where is your favorite place to take a visitor?

A

The French Quarter, Royal Street, Jackson Square and our sensational restaurants.

Q

Name your favorite New Orleans dish.

A

Gumbo!

Q

New Orleans wouldn’t be the same without ______.

A

The unique culture and indomitable spirit of our people.

Q

Where is your favorite place to take a visitor?

A

Frenchman Street.

Q

Name your favorite New Orleans dish.

A

Anything with shrimp.

Q

New Orleans wouldn’t be the same without ______.

A

The locals.

APRIL | MAY 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

William McCreary, Chairman of the Board Area Managing Director, Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Q

Where is your favorite place to take a visitor?

A

Since I have two young girls, we do the Audubon Zoo, Aquarium and Insectarium. Guests love them, and my girls never get tired of them!

Q

Name your favorite New Orleans dish.

A

Charbroiled oysters from Drago’s, of course!

Q

New Orleans wouldn’t be the same without ______.

A

The streetcars, especially on St. Charles Avenue.

They’re a moving piece of history, and a great way to see the city.

Fred Sawyers, Chair-Elect General Manager, Hilton New Orleans Riverside

BE A

CVB

TOURIST ++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++ 2011 FESTIVALS AND EVENTS TO ENJOY 7 p.m., 504-524-7611 or www. innonbourbon.com, $5 parking

APRIL Dance April 16: Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., Parsons Dance with the East Village Opera Company. 8 p.m., 504-287-0351 or www. mahaliajacksontheater.com, $20-$125

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

April 14:

April 27: Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., An Evening with the Moody Blues, 8 p.m., 504-287-0351 or www.mahaliajacksontheater. com, $50-$125 for admission

Lafayette Square, YLC Wednesday at the Square Concert Series, every Wednesday 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m., www. wednesdayatthesquare.com

April 9: New Orleans Arena, 1501 Girod St., Lady Gaga, 8 p.m., 800-745-3000 or www.neworleansarena.com, $49.50-$438

House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., Trombone Shorty, 9 p.m., 504310-4999 or www.houseofblues. com/tickets, $28.50

Festivals March 18- May 13: Maison Dupuy Hotel, 1001 Toulouse St., 5th Annual French Quarter Wine Festival, 504-648-6113 or www.frenchquarterwinefestival. com

April 7-10: April 9: Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., Mahler Symphony No. 7, 8 p.m., 504-287-0351 or www. mahaliajacksontheater.com, $15-$95

The Inn On Bourbon’s Puccini Bar, 541 Bourbon St., Bon Operatit! As part of the “Opera on Tap” series,

Sports

Jackson Square, Old US Mint and Woldenberg Park, French Quarter Festival, Presented by Capital One Bank, info@fqfi.org, 504-5225730 or www.fqfi.org

April 25-May 1:

TPC of Louisiana, Zurich Classic, www.zurichgolfclassic.com

TheatrE March 25-June 26: National World War II Museum, Stage Door Canteen, 945 Magazine St., On the Air, 504-528-1944 or www. nationalww2museum.org

April 28-May 1: Lakefront Arena, 6801 Franklin Ave., Disney On Ice Presents TOY STORY 3 “From Screen to Skates,” 504-2807222 or www.arena.uno.edu

New Orleans Hornets, NBA Men’s Basketball, New Orleans Arena,1501 Girod St., 504- 587-3663 or 800-4NBATIX, www.hornets.com

April 6: vs. Houston Rockets, 7 p.m.

Special Exhibits

April 8:

vs. Phoenix Suns, 7 p.m.

April 11:

vs. Utah Jazz, 7 p.m.

April 17:

New Orleans Lake Pontchartrain Beach Front, Ochsner Ironman 70.3 New Orleans, 7 a.m., neworleans70.3@ironman.com or http://ironmanneworleans.com/

April 21 & 28: Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 925 Camp St., One World, Two Artists: John Alexander and Walter Anderson, Julie Dermanksy: Photographs of Haiti, Birney Imes: Juke Joints and Preservation Hall Remembered: 50 Years of Jazz, 504-539-9600 or www. ogdenmuseum.org

New Orleans VooDoo, Arena Football League, New Orleans Arena, 1501 Girod St., 888-277-5526 or www.aflvoodoo.com April 22: vs. Pittsburgh Power, 7 p.m.

April 18-20:

April 13:

April 29-May 1 & May 5-8: Fair Grounds Race Course, 1751 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Presented

by Shell, 504-410-4100 or www.nojazzfest.com

April 29:

April 6-June 15:

New Orleans Arena, 1501 Girod St., Lil’ Wayne, 7 p.m., 800-745-3000 or www.neworleansarena.com, $47.50-$87.75

April 29: Audubon Zoo, 6500 Magazine St., Zoo-To-Do for Kids, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., www.auduboninstitute.org/ztdk, $25-35

The French Market, GULF ALIVE!, The first Gulf wholesale seafood/ farm marketplace created to increase awareness of the quality and variety of Louisiana cuisine, www.gulfinitiative.com

April 23:

Starts at Decatur St. and ends at Tad Gormley Stadium, Crescent City Classic, 8:30 a.m., ccc10k@aol. com, www.ccff.org/ccc10k or 504-861-8686

PHOTO BY HEDI SLIMANE

cont. pg 12

>

APRIL | MAY 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

11

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

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS TO ENJOY continued...

Annual Classic Auto Festival, May 13th- starts at 9 a.m. and auction starts at 10 a.m. May 14thstarts at 9 a.m. and auction starts at 1 p.m., 504-875-3563 or www. vicariauction.com

April 8-Sept. 4: New Orleans Museum of Art, One Collins C. Diboll Cir., City Park, American Institute of Architects Design Project, 504-658-4100 or www.noma.org

April 24: National World War II Museum, 945 Magazine St., Ours to Fight For: American Jews in the Second World War, 504-528-1944 or www. nationalww2museum.org

MAY Dance May 14: Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., Corella Ballet Castilla y Leon, 8 p.m., 504-287-0351 or www. mahaliajacksontheater.com, $20-$125

Festivals May 13-14: Mardi Gras World, 1380 Port of New Orleans., The New Orleans First

May 20-22: Bayou St. John at Orleans Ave., Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo, www. thebayouboogaloo.com

May 24-28: Royal St., New Orleans Morial Convention Center and New Orleans hotels, New Orleans Wine and Food Experience, 504-529-WINE (9463) or www.nowfe.com May 27-29: Holy Trinity Cathedral, 1200 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Greek Festival New Orleans, 504-282-0259 or www. greekfestnola.com

Music For live music listings, visit: www.bestofneworleans.com www.offbeat.com www.neworleanscvb.com May 1: House of Blues, 225 Decatur St., An Evening with THE RADIATORS-

May 6: Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., Galactic and the Funky Meters, 8 p.m., 504-287-0351 or www. mahaliajacksontheater.com, $42.50

May 11: The Inn On Bourbon’s Puccini Bar, 541 Bourbon St., Bon Operatit! As part of the “Opera on Tap” series, 7 p.m., 504-524-7611 or www. innonbourbon.com, special $5 parking May 16: Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., Jackson Browne, 8 p.m., 504-287-0351 or www. mahaliajacksontheater.com

May 21: Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, 8 p.m., 504-287-0351 or www. mahaliajacksontheater.com, $15-$95 May 28: Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., The Music of Michael Jackson, 8 p.m., 504-287-0351 or www. mahaliajacksontheater.com, $25-$85

Sports New Orleans VooDoo, Arena

Football League, New Orleans Arena, 1501 Girod St., 888-277-5526 or www.aflvoodoo.com

May 13: vs. Tulsa Talons, 7 p.m.

PHOTO BY JEN AMATO

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APRIL | MAY 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

PHOTO BY LISA NEAL

Farewell Tour, 10 p.m., 504-3104999 or www.houseofblues.com/ tickets, $27

May 20: vs. Arizona Rattlers, 7 p.m.

May 14: City Park New Orleans, Al Briede Gold Cup Race, 1 mile and 3 mile races, 8 a.m., www.runnotc.org May 27: Bayou St. John, Greek Festival Race, 1 mile and 5k races, 7 p.m., www. runnotc.org

Theater May 31-June 5: Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., Shrek the Musical, 8 p.m., Tues.Sat., 2 p.m., Sat.-Sun., and 7:30 p.m. Sun., 504-287-0351 or www. mahaliajacksontheater.com

Special Exhibits May 13-July 17 New Orleans Museum of Art, One Collins C. Diboll Cir., City Park, Ancestors of Congo Square: African Art at the New Orleans Museum of Art, 504-658-4100 or www.noma. org May 22-August 14: New Orleans Museum of Art, One Collins C. Diboll Cir., City Park,Read my Pins: The Madeline Albright Collection, 504-658-4100 or www. noma.org

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 during April and May with a projected attendance of 400 or more.

April 2-5 American College of Cardiology (ACC) Annual Scientific Session 25,000 attendees The ACC is a nonprofit medical professional society that is leading the way to optimal cardiovascular care and disease prevention through health policy, standards and guidelines, and support of cardiovascular research.

6-8 DRI Product Liability Seminar 700 attendees DRI is the international organization of attorneys defending the interests of business and individuals in civil litigation.

8-12 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Spring North American Convention 13,000 attendees AERA is the most prominent international professional organization concerned with improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education and evaluation, and by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results.

9-12 American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Annual Convention 2,000 attendees The AACC’s mission is to provide education for individuals, many of whom are adults, in its service region.

11-13 DirecTV, Inc. (DTV) Revolution 2,200 attendees DTV is the world’s leading provider of digital television entertainment services, with 19.22 million customers in the United States and 8.85 million customers in Latin America.

13-16 National Intramural Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Annual Conference & Recreation Sports Exposition 3,000 attendees NIRSA is the leading resource for professional and student development, education and research in collegiate recreational sports.

13-16 Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) Annual Spring International Study Conference & Exhibition 700 attendees ACEI is a global community of educators and advocates who unite knowledge, experience and perspectives in order to exchange information, explore innovation, and advocate for children.

13-17 Society of Architectural Historians (SAH) 400 attendees The SAH is a not-for-profit membership organization and

learned society that promotes the study and preservation of the built environment worldwide.

14-16 New Orleans Dental Conference/ LDA Annual Session

3,500 attendees The New Orleans Dental Conference/LDA Annual Session provides continuing dental education to dental practitioners and ancillary dental personnel on a regional, national and international level.

15-16 National Guard of Louisiana Annual Convention 500 attendees The Louisiana Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard with functions ranging from limited actions during non-emergency situations to full scale law enforcement of Martial law when local law enforcement officials can no longer maintain civil control.

PHOTO BY DONN YOUNG

17-20 American Culinary Federation (ACF) 2011 ACF Central Regional Conference 500 attendees The ACF is a professional organization for chefs and cooks that promotes the professional image of American chefs worldwide through education of culinarians at all levels.

19-22 National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW) NABSW 43rd Annual National Conference 500 attendees NABSW is comprised of people of African ancestry, committed to enhancing the quality of life and empowering people of African ancestry through advocacy, human services, delivery and research.

26-28 National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) 2011 NCEA Convention & Expo 7,110 attendees NCEA is a professional membership organization that provides leadership, direction and service to

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APRIL | MAY 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

13

COMPANY’S

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

CONVENTIONS AND MEETINGS IN TOWN

continued... fulfill the evangelizing, catechizing and teaching the mission of the Church.

26-28 Southern Sails of Louisiana (SSOL) Critical Commodities Conference 500 attendees SSOL is a private consultant service that caters to the maritime sector in recommending affordable watertransportation solutions, together with targeted commodity-driven marketing.

April 27-May 1 Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Annual Spring Conference 1,000 attendees The Society was founded in 1967 to respond to the needs of family medicine educators.

April 29-May 3 American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA) 450 attendees Founded in 1962, ACHCA is a nonprofit professional membership association which provides superior educational programming, professional certification and career development opportunities for its members.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MORIAL CONVENTION CENTER

April 30-May 4 American Commodity Distribution Association (ACDA) 2011 ACDA Annual National Conference 550 attendees A non profit professional trade association, ACDA is devoted to improvement of the U. S. Department of Agriculture Commodity Food Distribution Program.

April 30-May 4 International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW) World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO) 120th IARW-WFLO Annual Convention & Expo 550 attendees IARW and WFLO are the leaders in assuring that food distribution personnel have up-to-date knowledge or access to the information needed to maintain high levels of food safety and food quality.

May 1-4 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 28th Annual National Flood Conference 700 attendees FEMA’s mission is to support citizens and first responders to

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NEW ORLEANS CVB

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APRIL | MAY 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

2-5 National Association of Directors/Migrant Education (NASDME) 43rd Annual NASDME Conference 1,200 attendees NASDME is the professional organization of state officials charged with the administrative responsibilities of effectively and productively helping all migrant children succeed in school.

2-5 United Fresh Produce Association 2011 Convention 4,500 attendees United Fresh Produce Association is the industry’s leading trade association committed to driving the growth and success of produce companies and their partners.

3-4 The Dark Group, Inc. 16th Annual Executive War College 600 attendees The Dark Group Inc. offers a complete line of employment screening options to assist in the hiring and promotion process, and the Executive War College gathers laboratory executives, pathologists and industry leaders to explore ways to position their laboratories for clinical and financial success.

9-12 National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Environment, Energy & Sustainability (E2S2) Symposium & Exhibition 2,000 attendees NDIA is America’s leading defense industry association promoting national security.

12-13 International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) ® Spring Conference & Trade Fair 600 attendees IBBA is a trade association of business brokers providing

CVB PHOTO BY JEFF ANDING

education, conferences, professional designations and networking opportunities.

12-14 American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Convention & Design Exposition 17,000 attendees Based in Washington, D.C., the AIA has been the leading professional membership association for licensed architects, emerging professionals and allied partners since 1857.

15-18 Public Housing Authorities Directors Association Annual Convention & Exhibition 600 attendees PHADA represents the professional administrators of approximately 1,900 housing authorities throughout the United States and works closely with members of Congress in efforts to develop sensible and effective public housing statutes and obtain adequate funding for low-income housing programs.

16-17 Society of Actuaries (SOA) Spring Meeting 600 attendees SOA is an educational, research and professional organization dedicated to serving the public and Society members with a vision to be the leading professionals in the measurement and management of risk.

17-21 Boys & Girls Clubs of America Annual Spring National Convention 1,500 attendees Boys & Girls Clubs offer club programs and services that promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence.

20-25 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.

21-24 American Society for Microbiology 111th General Meeting 10,000 attendees The American Society for Microbiology is the oldest and largest single life science membership organization in the world.

21-25 Rotary International Convention 18,500 attendees Rotary International is the world’s first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide.

PHOTO BY PAT GARIN

25-28 The Links, Incorporated Annual Southern Area Conference 600 attendees The Links, Incorporated is the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organization of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining

and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.

25-28 Victory Christian Ministries International Mighty Men of Valor Conference 1,000 attendees Victory Christian Ministries International, located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, has established several dynamic ministries designed to guide, uplift, encourage, motivate and support believers across the world.

May 30-June 1 Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Association (LEPA) LEPA/GOHSEP Annual Workshop 500 attendees LEPA is a non-profit statewide organization of emergency preparedness and response practitioners with the common goal of improving public safety in emergencies.

APRIL | MAY 2011 [ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU ]

15

MUSIC

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

+++++++++ WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT NEW ORLEANS “Your city made quite a positive impact on me. I am going to plan a trip again in the fall, this time with my family.” – Ken Alan, Reporter, Mid-Atlantic Events Magazine, February 2011

“

“

“Your team is truly on the ball and you are an excellent quarterback in disseminating details for members.

Together with the CVB and its members... our city provides planners every opportunity to succeed in a pleasurable experience while visiting New 0rleans!”

“For me, New Orleans is one of the most enchanting and unique cities in the USA. I find the shopping is outstanding...the restaurants offer such great variety, value and excellent cuisine. The atmosphere of this wonderful city always makes me sad to leave it!”

- Keith Ribbeck, CMP, President, RDS Productions, CVB Member, March 2011

- Sarah Lax, Head of Purchasing, USA & Canada, Tui Group, March 2010

Tourism Matters

TOURISM MATTERS (SAME BOX AS ON COVER)

TOURISM MATTERS NEW ORLEANS

CONVENTION & VISITORS B U RE AU A P R I L / M AY 2 0 1 1

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

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