FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 15, 2006

CONTACT:
Mary Beth Romig
Dir., Communications & Public Relations
504-566-5050 / 504-606-8430 (cell)
mbromig@neworleanscvb.com

NOMCVB ORGANIZES “COMPANY’S COMING: CLEAN UP NEW ORLEANS” CAMPAIGN

Event Unites Volunteers in a One-Day Effort to Clean French Quarter, CBD and Warehouse District

New Orleans, LA – In an unprecedented uniting of local organizations and businesses, including hotels, restaurants, retail stores, art galleries and museums, a campaign led by the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau to clean New Orleans will take place on Monday, June 19, 2006. Under the banner “Company’s Coming,” tourism officials will be joined by employees from the hospitality industry, businesses and corporations, non-profit organizations and local residents to clean areas frequented by convention and meeting delegates and the leisure visitor to New Orleans.

The focus on June 19 will be on the French Quarter, Canal Street, the Central Business District and Warehouse Arts District from Claiborne Avenue to the Mississippi River, and along Convention Center Boulevard. Teams will be working in these areas throughout the day from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

“A clean city is the first signal that progress is being made, and sending this signal is critical not only for tourism but for economic development as well,” says Stephen Perry, President and CEO of the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It is imperative that we put our best foot forward as a clean city in anticipation of our growing convention and visitors business this summer, and picking up the trash and cleaning our streets has to be a priority.”

Joining the CVB in the Company’s Coming campaign are the Downtown Development District, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Greater New Orleans Hotel and Lodging Association, New Orleans Restaurant Association, Greater New Orleans, Inc., The New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce, French Quarter Business Association, Vieux Carre' Property Owners, Residents and Associates, Inc., Sheriff Marlin Gusman, Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff's Office, Keep America Beautiful, Keep Louisiana Beautiful, AmeriCorps, Young Leadership Council, New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Idea Village, Greater New Orleans Foundation, New Orleans Arts District Association, Trinity Episcopal School, Waste Management and River Parish Disposal.

“It is exciting and encouraging to see the participation we are getting in this effort,” said Perry. “Every impression we make is crucial in getting the message across to the world that we are still a world-class destination and open for business. We all know what we do when company is coming to our home – we clean. This is no different. Company is coming to New Orleans and we need to get our home clean and ready for guests.”

Groups meeting in coming weeks include the National Directors of Collegiate Athletics and the Air and Waste Management Association. Beginning June 24, the city will welcome the first city-wide convention since Hurricane Katrina when the American Library Association brings in 20,000 delegates.

“The national media will also be paying close attention to us, showing not just the conventions and meetings world what shape we are in, but the general news media as well,” Perry stated. “We can’t stress enough how crucial it is that this begin with a grass-roots effort to pick up trash and then keeping New Orleans clean, and not just in these concentrated areas, but throughout the city where people are living and working.”

Perry is quick to acknowledge other groups that have organized to pick up trash throughout the city following the devastation from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, including the Katrina Krewe, who is sharing supplies for Company’s Coming. The Convention Center, Louisiana Bottling Company and Red Bull North America are donating refreshments for volunteers.

Participants are asked to check in at central locations to pick up supplies and to receive an assigned area for which teams will be responsible. Volunteers are encouraged to use their own supplies, including brooms, rakes, gloves and trash bags. If unable to participate in formal teams, business owners and residents interested in helping are asked to be responsible for cleaning their immediate exterior space. Once finished and the trash is bagged, participants are asked to bring their bags to the nearest street corner. Collection vehicles will pick up all bagged trash at day’s end.

“What is important is that the mindset to keep New Orleans clean extend beyond this one day, and that everyone realize that we must all be pro-active in taking pride in our city and working toward a NEW New Orleans, a city that is not only unique and authentic, but clean,” says Perry. “These past months have not been easy, and we have faced and continue to face great challenges. But, we are encouraging our local colleagues, neighbors and friends to act as ambassadors for our city, and one simple way is to help keep the city clean.”

For more information, to volunteer or to donate supplies, call Sharon Sibley at the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau, 504-566-5051.

Schedule:

COMPANY’S COMING

Cleaning Up New Orleans

Monday, June 19, 2006

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

French Quarter, Canal Street, CBD, Warehouse Arts District

8:00 – 10:00 a.m. / 12 noon – 2:00 p.m.: Teams’ check-in and supply pick-up

  • Royal Sonesta – Conti Street entrance
  • Chartres Street and St. Peter Street intersection, near Jackson Square
  • St. Charles Avenue at Lafayette Street – Side of Gallier Hall
  • Convention Center Boulevard at Lafayette Street – Hilton Riverside New Orleans parking lot

Teams will be assigned a particular area for which they will be responsible. Trash must be bagged, sealed and placed at the nearest corner for pick-up.

Refreshments provided by the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Coca-Cola products from Louisiana Bottling Co. and energy drinks from Red Bull North America.

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About New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (NOMCVB)

Since 1960, the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau 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. (www.neworleanscvb.com)