Greater New Orleans Economic Status

GNOEA members and guests met Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at Messina’s Rooftop on Basin to get a pulse on the economic status of the Greater New Orleans area.  Guest speaker, Michael Hecht, President and CEO of GNO, Inc. leads Southeast Louisiana in economic development. Hecht touched on reasons why people are leaving larger more expensive cities like New York City and moving to what is considered “second tiered cites” in Texas, Tennessee and Florida where there is zero income tax. For New Orleans to compete as a second tier city, the city could replicate what Nashville has done when they expanded on their country music industry. He highlighted other areas that have improved with a positive impact on Southeast Louisiana such as the new airport, ranked sixth fastest growing in the nation, efforts to expand on the biotech industry and neurology research on degenerative diseases such as Dementia and Alzheimers, etc. Hecht added that to manage growth in the region, we have to do a better job managing crime noting that there are not enough policeman to cover the area, continue working on infrastructure (flood protection and electrical grid) and education.

Q2 2021 – Economic Snapshot of Greater New Orleans’ 10-parish market and other news can be viewed in the GNO, Inc. Publication

More about the speaker: Michael Hecht Biography June 2021

Membership News

Potential Members

New Member Recruitment: If you have a prospect, please have them connect with Julie Couret at membership@gnoea.com

A list of open classifications can be found here.

Thank Yous & Announcements

Invocation by Jesse Hoppes, Leaaf Environmental, LLC

Paul Cosma, Uptown Auto Specialist, thanked Kenny Knobloch, HELP! Air Conditioning & Heating and Peter Sather for helping his son with getting a job.

Kevin Pedeaux, CR Coffee thanked George Messina, Messina’s for the complimentary beverages at their new The Batture location.

Richard Juge, REMAX Commercial Broker, thanked Michael Hecht for helping his daughter get an internship.

Lola Lass, Adeeta Corporate Staffing, thanked Marc Beerman, Beerman Precision, Inc. for his business.

Kenny Knobloch, HELP! A/C & Heating, thanked all for their business and asked members to announce themselves as a member of GNOEA to get priority treatment when making an appointment.

Jacquie Bonano, JB Communications, announced that Shop Local will host a webinar on social media information on August 12th from 11:00A – 12:00P. Go to shoplocalnola.com.

John Zollinger, Home Bank, introduced first time guest Vance Vaucresson, Vaucresson Sausage Co., a third generation business and sausage maker with a retail “fast casual” deli/cafe on Bourbon St.

Philip Rebowe, Postlethwaite and Netterville, introduced 2nd time guest, Duaine Duffy, Benefits Analytics, providing medical and disability insurance both public and private and located in Metairie.

Q3 2021 dues reminder. Electronic payment is preferred.

Speaker suggestions should be forwarded to program chairman, Kevin Pedeaux at pedeaux@gmail.com

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Upcoming Meeting Schedule

(complimentary parking is available in front of the Rooftop on Basin building)

August 10th – John Zollinger, Home Bank – How to Speak Bank – Rooftop on Basin

August 17th – Chris Franklin, Chief Meteorologist, WWL – Hurricane Preparedness – Rooftop on Basin

August 24th – Cynthia Lee Sheng, Jefferson Parish, Parish President – Rooftop on Basin

Please login and view the Calendar for meeting login details.

Please contact Kevin Pedeaux @ pedeaux@gmail.com, President-Elect/ Program Chair if you would like to be added to the presentation schedule or would like to recommend a speaker.