New Orleans CityBusiness recently announced Stephen Perry, president and CEO of New Orleans & Company, as an honoree of the second Icon Awards.

Perry is accompanied by other New Orleans business leaders chosen for their impact on the city’s economic development. Each honoree’s dedication, pioneering ideas and achievements continue to influence the progression of the community. This year’s Icon Awards were announced along with CityBusiness’ 17th annual Best Places to Work. For a full list of this year’s Icon Award honorees and Best Places to Work, click here.

“I am honored to be amongst a prestigious class of New Orleans business leaders.  My fellow recipients represent vital pillars in our shared mission to drive economic growth and prosperity in our beloved city,” said Perry. “New Orleans & Company leads the hospitality industry to promote a virtuous cycle of tourism that benefits and supports our members, visitors and residents. All our industries together create a stronger New Orleans and maintain our status as world class city in which to visit and live.”

Perry has been with New Orleans & Company for 17 and a half years, leading the organization to a prominent ranking as one of the top five Destination Marketing Organizations in the country. Perry led the rebuilding of tourism after Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill, now generating 9.1 billion dollars in total visitor spending in 2018, according to D.K. Shifflet & Associates’ (DKSA) reporting, and sales and marketing that sustains nearly 90,000 jobs in the industry. Additionally, New Orleans & Company has expanded with offices in Chicago, Columbia, S.C., Washington, D.C., the United Kingdom, France, Germany and China.

Perry has served as international Chairman for Destination International, been appointed to the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board by Presidents Bush and Obama, served on the board of the U.S. Travel Association for 15 years, and continues to serve on the boards of the New Orleans Museum of Art, Audubon Nature Institute and Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors.

The 2019 Icon Award recipients will be recognized along with the Best Places to Work at a luncheon on December 6 at the Hyatt Regency. Each honoree will also be featured in CityBusiness on December 20. Those interested in attending the luncheon can purchase tickets here.

New Orleans & Company is a nationally accredited, 1,100-member destination marketing organization and the largest and most successful private economic development corporation in Louisiana. New Orleans & Company and its members and partners influence thousands of decision-makers and millions of visitors to choose New Orleans through direct sales, marketing, public relations, branding, visitor services and local advocacy initiatives at our New Orleans headquarters and offices in Chicago, Columbia, S.C., Washington, D.C., the United Kingdom, France, Germany and China. Consistently recognized as one of the top five destination marketing organizations in the country, New Orleans & Company celebrates its 59th anniversary in 2019. For more information, please visit Neworleans.com/about.

 

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