ISSUE 94 | SUBSEA CAPACITY
FROM THE CONFERENCE DIRECTOR BY CHRISTOPHER NOYES
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reetings from the desk of STF Events. Things are progressing well for a great SubOptic2019. Yes, it is still is a ways off, but it will be here before you know it. I was in New Orleans in the middle of April and had some wonderful meetings with the hotel and New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, and both are extremely excited to be hosting SubOptic2019. The hotel is in the final phases of a multi-million-dollar renovation, which will be completed in early 2018 and will complete its total makeover. The hotel renovation will be in line with Marriott’s upgraded, higher standards, including a new, sleek modern look and feel. New Orleans welcomed a record-breaking 10.45 million visitors in 2016, a 6.9% increase over 2015 and a new record for New Orleans tourism. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport announced record passenger numbers of 11 million passengers served in 2016, representing a 4.4% increase over 2015 and a new all-time record.
Keeping with renovations, the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is looking good with their expansion to becoming an important international destination, including the construction of a new $1 billion international terminal. With the recent start of BA’s daily non-stop service from London added to daily non-stop service from Frankfurt, the list of non-stop international flights to New Orleans will continue to grow before SubOptic2019. I am also excited to be in Chicago for the inaugural meeting of the SubOptic Association this month and to personally offer attending members an early view of sponsorship and exhibit booth space, which won’t go on “official” sale until 1 August. This is an exciting opportunity for both members and SubOptic2019, as this means that we are moving forward to having another outstanding conference exclusively for the submarine telecommunications cable industry.
Christopher Noyes began his career in 1996 as the Meeting and Incentive Director for Spectrum Industries, providing company sales and incentives meetings. His experience includes producing meetings, trade shows and events in USA, Mexico, Bahamas, Canada, and Holland, and has produced meetings and events for the Urban Land Institute, Coca-Cola, Medtronic, Bank of America JER Partners, Legg Mason Wood Walker, and Avery Communications. He possesses the international designation of Certified Meeting Professional form the Convention Industry Council, and joined Submarine Telecoms Forum in 2016 as Conference Director to help develop and lead the company’s venture, STF Events.
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