Bulletin for October 6, 2026

Thanks to GNOEA member George Messing, Owner Messina’s Catering, for hosting this week’s networking event for GNOEA members at the Rooftop on Basin St!

Walter Leger, New Orleans & Company

Walt Leger is the President and CEO of New Orleans & Company, the official destination marketing and sales organization for the tourism industry of New Orleans. Representing over 1100 member businesses, New Orleans & Company’ is the tourism and hospitality industry’s official
destination sales, marketing, and trade organization, responsible for driving billions of dollars of diverse annual business to the regional cultural economy. By attracting leisure and cultural travel, business meetings conventions, sporting, and special events to New Orleans in a highly competitive global environment. Founded in 1960, New Orleans & Company is committed to celebrating the richness of our culture, while creating jobs, building careers, and enhancing the quality of life for every New Orleanian.

Walter stated New Orleans & Companies one goal is to create economic opportunity through tourism. Their mission vision is to inspire, promote, and encourage travel to our city for the economic, social, and community benefit of New Orleans and its people. Their goals are to deliver the most innovative and exceptional sales and service, build international tourism, create and own a clear, world-class brand for New Orleans, and to make New Orleans a great place to live, work, and visit.Walter reported that in 2025 New Orleans had 19.46 million visitors who spent $10.8 billion and supported 85,000 jobs.