Global Meetings Industry Day was earlier this month (April 11) and it an important reminder of the undeniable value of the events to cities around the globe.
Walter J. Leger III, President and CEO of New Orleans & Company says the city has been an MICE destination for years, and while 70 percent of overall visitors come to the city for leisure activities, the rest arrive directly to attend a meeting, trade show or exhibition. Those meeting attendees have a disproportionate economic impact because of the local businesses needed to execute their meeting, including audio-visual companies, transportation, catering, booth design and construction, event planners and printing services among many others.
"In a world where emerging technologies make it easier than ever to connect with people around the globe, bringing people together may matter even more than it ever has," says Leger. "And bringing people together is one of things we do best in New Orleans."
Leger says meetings create the opportunity for deeper connectivity, for the launch of new technologies, the revelation of new science and innovation. They serve as catalysts for disbursing new ideas, innovations, inventions, and discoveries and are an essential component of commerce and critical to the economy of our nation and the world. When meeting attendees come together, differences can be overcome, common purpose can be found, and problems can be solved.
In 2021, New Orleans & Company launched a new brand for the meetings industry, Built to Host, to stand out from the competition and illustrate why New Orleans is better equipped to host major events, conferences, and meetings. The walkability of the city, world-class hotels and venues, a welcoming culture, and more are competitive advantages for our destination.
Event organizers seek destinations who continually innovate, add to their hospitality assets, and demonstrate the ability to execute with technical excellence. We also celebrate our vibrant higher education community, world class healthcare providers and educational institutions, international trade and commerce, and other commercial activity happening in New Orleans and Louisiana to set us apart from our competitors.
"Meetings are critical to the success of the travel industry in New Orleans. Each year conventions, conferences, meetings and exhibitions create compression upon which other market segments build. The meetings industry also has positive impacts on the broader hospitality community because each meeting is an economic development project in and of itself.
Each event is like building a business from the ground up that will last for several days."
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