New Orleans Tourism Post Pandemic

Walt Leger, III, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, New Orleans and Company

Thanks to member George Messina for catering this week’s networking event at the Rooftop on Basin.

Leger, is the Executive Vice President for New Orleans and Company, re-branded and formerly known as The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. New Orleans and Company, is the official destination marketing and sales organization for the tourism industry of New Orleans. Boasting 1100 member businesses, New Orleans & Company’s goal is to cultivate and maintain a virtuous cycle between the businesses and attractions that make up the tourism industry, the visitors who invest in those businesses and attractions, and the city’s residents who benefit from tourism.
Tourism is Louisiana’s 4th largest employer with over 250,000 people who bring out the best in hospitality in the state with people visiting from conventions. Leger reported that New Orleans is host to an average of 20-25 convention center events annually along with 1100 meetings held at area hotels. He noted that renovations are underway at the Convention Center, the Superdome and popular hotels like Marriott, Sheraton, who are investing in updates. With its close proximity to the Convention Center, the Hilton Riverside is also expected to begin planning renovations.  Leger stated that organizations looking to host their conventions around the country and internationally will base their selection on hotel rates, room block availability, convention center space, restaurants and food services. New Orleans and Co. is also working on increasing the number of international travelers who stay longer and spend more. The number of international travelers in 2021 were 60 thousand, down from 90 thousand in 2019 (pre-pandemic).
Leger added that Mark Romig,  joined the New Orleans & Company team as Chief Marketing Officer in 2020. Romig’s team utilizes social media platforms to tell the NOLA story and to counter challenges or concerns that convention planners may have about political controversy and public safety.
Roughly 20% of New Orleans & Company is funded from a one cent hotel tax revenue and the remainder from a membership base.
For more on the speaker Walt Leger III Bio

Membership

Jesse Hoppes, announced that member classifications are under review and will be presented at the next board meeting.

If you have a prospect, please have them connect with Jacquie Bonano, membership chair at membership@gnoea.com

Thank You & Announcements

Jesse Hoppes, Leaaf Environmental, introduced guest Andrew Legrand, Spera Law.

Q4 Dues notices reminder.

Upcoming Meeting Schedule

  • November 8th – Lt. Gov. Nungesser, board meeting to follow
  • November 15th – Dr. Tina Tinney, Chancellor, Nunez Community College and Board Meeting
  • November 22nd – Thanksgiving Week no meeting
  • November 29th – No Meeting
  • November 30th – Social – Stumpy’s Hatchet House – 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
  • December 6th – TBA
  • December 15th – Christmas Party hosted by M/M Todd Clower

Check website for updates and bulletins that include upcoming events. Meeting events are on the calendar.