FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Jennifer Day or Jenn Lotz
New Orleans CVB
504-566-5019
jday@neworleanscvb.com jlotz@neworleanscvb.com  

Michael “Spike” Stevens
The MeNetwork
303-594-1819
spike@themenetwork.net

New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Launches Text NOLA for ESSENCE Music Festival Visitors
Thousands of ESSENCE visitors can text to receive deals from New Orleans restaurants, bars, tours, attractions and more

NEW ORLEANS—June 30, 2011—The New Orleans CVB, in partnership with Miles | Weaver and the MeNetwork, is launching Text NOLA, an innovative new mobile marketing product offering visitors, meeting attendees and locals a chance to grab city-wide deals just by sending a text message. This simple, powerful and customizable mobile platform will officially kick-off July 1-3 for the 2011 ESSENCE Music Festival when 400,000 attendees of this major event will be offered exclusive discounts by texting ESSENCE DEALS to 63638.

‘‘Research shows us that virtually every traveler uses a smart phone or mobile device before, during and after a trip,” said Stephen Perry, president and CEO of the New Orleans CVB. “This trend will continue to increase, so we have to reach the visitor in innovative ways, including in the palm of their hand. ESSENCE is one of our most important events, so we are pleased to offer this service and benefit to all visitors this weekend and beyond.”

New Orleans CVB members, including restaurants, attractions, music clubs, shops, galleries and tour companies, create their own deals for the Text NOLA program and have the option to edit them at any point in time. Through several communications pieces, the CVB is encouraging its members to log into their accounts to create a new deal or two specifically for ESSENCE guests when ESSENCE DEALS 63638 is messaged.

The Text NOLA program is an ON-DEMAND service, meaning deals are only delivered when the visitor or delegate requests them, and it is entirely free to the end-user. Standard text messaging rates apply. Visitors can search city-wide, year-round by texting NOLA DEALS to 63638 with an option to narrow a search to a specific neighborhood or category for more targeted discounts.

The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau is a nationally accredited, 1,000-member destination marketing organization and the largest and most successful private economic development corporation in Louisiana. We create $5 billion in new capital each year- more than any other business sector- by attracting millions of visitors, special events and conventions. The CVB and its members influence thousands of decision-makers and millions of visitors to choose New Orleans through direct sales, marketing, public relations, branding and visitor services at our New Orleans headquarters and offices in Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago and four foreign countries. Consistently recognized as one of the top five CVBs in the country, the New Orleans CVB celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2010. For more information, please visit www.neworleanscvb.com.

With offices in Sarasota, Fla., and Denver, Colo., Miles|Weaver and Miles Media, partner with state divisions of tourism, convention & visitor bureaus and other organizations in the tourism industry to create custom online, mobile, email and print marketing solutions. Destinations in the U.S. and internationally have selected Miles’ integrated content marketing approach to deliver a real impact, create cost savings, generate revenue and effectively promote their destinations to visitors and travel professionals. Miles also offers services for hotels and resorts through its Miles360 division and publishes in-market visitor guides under the SEE Magazine division. For more information visit MilesMedia.com.

MeNetwork is a revolutionary mobile search and marketing platform that helps visitors and residents find the best dining, nightlife, shopping, and entertainment deals in 70 major U.S. cities. Users simply send a text message to MeNetwork, telling it where they are and what they're looking for, and the system returns relevant offers back to the requesting mobile phone within seconds. Looking for great seafood in New Orleans? Text NOLA SEAFOOD to 63638. Shopping in Denver? Text DENVER SHOPPING to 63638. Cocktails in San Francisco? Text SF HAPPY HOUR to 63638. It's easy, it's fast, and it's free. And best of all, it's an on-demand system that only returns offers on request, so there's no opting in and no spam. Ever.

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