FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:

Kelly Schulz
New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau
504-566-5045 / 504-421-0962 (cell)
kschulz@neworleanscvb.com

Erica Papillion
 504-566-5044 
 epapillion@neworleanscvb.com

New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau Announces New Director of Convention Services

NEW ORLEANS - Aug. 30, 2006 – The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (NOMCVB) is pleased to announce the promotion of MaryBeth Danna to director of convention services.

Danna was previously employed as one of the NOMCVB’s event coordinators, a position she held for three years. Her experience, dedication and knowledge of the city’s sites and venues will serve her well in her new position, where she will work closely with meeting planners and convention clients to ensure a successful and seamless New Orleans meeting experience.

As director of convention services, Danna will offer the NOMCVB’s varied array of services to future meetings, provide on-site staffing as requested by meeting planners, arrange site visits for groups coming to New Orleans and maintain a skilled registrar staff to enhance conventions.

Nikki Nicholson, vice president of convention sales for the NOMCVB added, “We are grateful to our former Director of Convention Services Corinne Pass for her 11 years of dedicated service and for really raising the bar for customer service. Luckily we did not have to look far to find the best professional to continue Corinne’s legacy. MaryBeth Danna is well respected and will do a great job. The role of convention services in New Orleans has evolved—we know how important meetings are to every organization's brand and bottom line. Under the leadership of MaryBeth Danna, we will partner with every client on marketing, attendance-boosting strategies, and onsite support to ensure a successful meeting.”

“I am so excited about this new path my career has taken,” said Danna. “New Orleans has given me so much and I can’t think of a better way to show my appreciation than to illustrate to meeting planners what the city has to offer.”

Danna has a degree in political science from the University of New Orleans and attended Austria’s Innsbruck University. Before coming to the NOMCVB in 2003, she was a public relations director and event planner for various organizations in New Orleans and New York City.

About New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (NOMCVB)
Since 1960, the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (www.neworleanscvb.com) has been the driving force behind New Orleans' most important industry, attracting $4.9 billion to the region annually. Nationally recognized for superior customer service, NOMCVB represents over 1,200 members and provides convention services and visitor information for business travelers and vacationers. In 2004, the NOMCVB welcomed a record-breaking 10.1 million visitors to one of America's favorite meeting and leisure destinations. The NOMCVB is committed to rebuilding the city of New Orleans.