FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2026
LT. GOVERNOR NUNGESSER INVITES TOURISM PROFESSIONALS TO LARGEST TRAVEL CONFERENCE IN THE WORLD TO BE HELD IN NEW ORLEANS IN 2027
More than 6,000 tourism professionals expected in New Orleans for U.S. Travel Association’s premier international marketplace
BATON ROUGE, La. – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, the Louisiana Office of Tourism (LOT), New Orleans & Company, and other tourism representatives attending the U.S. Travel Association’s IPW 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, held a news conference today formally inviting international journalists and tour operators to New Orleans when the city hosts the prestigious international convention in 2027.
“This major travel and trade show is the U.S. Travel Association’s largest annual travel conference in the world and New Orleans will host in 2027,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “When New Orleans last hosted IPW in 2016, it left a lasting impression on travel professionals from around the globe, and we are ready to do it again in an even bigger way. We are still hearing from tour operators and travel writers that it was one of the best tourism conferences they’ve attended. We plan to knock it out of the park again. Hosting IPW 2027 will put Louisiana in front of thousands of international travel buyers and media representatives, creating opportunities that will drive visitation, strengthen our economy, and support jobs in every corner of the state as we continue working toward surpassing our record-breaking pre-pandemic visitation number of 53 million visitors to our state.”
“It will bring thousands of international buyers and journalists to New Orleans from May 2nd through 6th, 2027, many of whom will stay longer or arrive early to explore Louisiana and check out Jazz Fest,” said Walt Leger, New Orleans and Company President and CEO. “These meetings taking place in New Orleans next year are expected to generate more than $5 billion in future bookings. If we make New Orleans an even better place to live, work, learn, and invest, it will continue to be a great place to visit. New Orleans moves valuable cargo from the American heartland to the world every single day, but we also excel at bringing people to together and sharing joy.”
More than 6,000 people are expected to attend the international conference when New Orleans hosts in 2027.
Tourism is Louisiana’s fourth-largest industry and supports more than 225,600 jobs statewide. In 2025, Louisiana welcomed 45 million visitors who generated $19.5 billion in visitor spending, saving each Louisiana household more than $1,317 in taxes.
“This is an exciting time for Louisiana and there is a lot of buzz about New Orleans hosting in 2027. During that time, the Louisiana Office of Tourism will continue to work with our statewide tourism partners to bring those tour operators and travel writers from all over the world to various parts of the state to promote it,” said Doug Bourgeois, Assistant Secretary of the Louisiana Office of Tourism.
As the leading inbound travel trade show, IPW has generated more than $26 billion in future travel by connecting U.S. travel exhibitors with travel buyers and media to promote destinations and negotiate future business. The conference plays a critical role in securing America’s position as a premier global travel destination while showcasing the best experiences the country has to offer.
The economic impact of hosting IPW is substantial. In the three years following the event, the host city can expect to welcome an additional one million international visitors, generating $1.7 billion in economic impact, producing $84 million in local tax revenue, and directly supporting 5,300 jobs.
While attending IPW 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Lt. Governor Nungesser met with the U.S. Travel Association leadership team and key tourism stakeholders.
Louisiana partners attending IPW 2026 in Fort Lauderdale to promote their destinations included Ascension Parish Tourism Commission, Explore Houma, Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission, Visit Lake Charles, New Orleans & Company, St. Martin Parish Tourist Commission, Visit Baton Rouge, Visit Jefferson Parish, Visit The Northshore, Louisiana’s River Parishes, and various attractions, hotels, and sightseeing tours.
LOT staff and its statewide partners conducted approximately 300 appointments with representatives from countries around the world.
Attached Image Captions:
Image1: Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, and New Orleans & Company unveil a logo during a news conference today welcoming the world to New Orleans for IPW 2027, the U.S. Travel Association’s premier international marketplace. (Image credit: Louisiana Office of Tourism)
Image2: Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser welcomes the world to New Orleans for IPW 2027 next year during a news conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, at IPW 2026. (Image credit: Louisiana Office of Tourism)
Image3: New Orleans and Company President/CEO Walt Leger speaks during a news conference today in Ft. Lauderdale to announce New Orleans as the host city for IPW 2027, the U.S. Travel Association’s premier international marketplace. (Image credit: Louisiana Office of Tourism)
Image4: Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser (far right) celebrates the announcement of New Orleans as the host city for IPW 2027 with the Louisiana Office of Tourism and New Orleans and Company. (Image credit: Louisiana Office of Tourism)
Contact Information:
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Jennifer Berthelot Louisiana Office of Tourism 225-342-8142 |
Barry Landry Office of the Lieutenant Governor 225-342-7009 |