FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:
Mary Beth Romig
New Orleans CVB
504-566-5019
mbromig@neworleanscvb.com

Jenn Lotz
New Orleans CVB
504-566-5019
jlotz@neworleanscvb.com

NEW ORLEANS FEATURED IN JANUARY ISSUE OF DELTA AIRLINES’ SKY MAGAZINE
The feature will be read by 3.4 million passengers traveling to 461 destinations in 96 countries during the month of January 2008

NEW ORLEANS (January 2, 2008) – Delta SKY Magazine, the award-winning in-flight magazine of Delta Airlines, has chosen New Orleans as the January issue’s special city profile. The 44-page editorial feature entitled “Life in the New Normal” will combine traditional travel-related information with a comprehensive look at the economic drivers and industry sectors that shape the business landscapes and lifestyles in the metropolitan New Orleans area.

The feature will be read by 3.4 million passengers traveling to 461 destinations in 96 countries during the month of January 2008, positioning the area on a national and global scale as a standout place to work, live, and vacation. The feature will be unveiled to tourism, business and cultural stakeholders in New Orleans at a reception at Harrah’s Hotel on Thursday, January 3, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Portrait: New Orleans closely examines what makes the Greater New Orleans area an incredible place to live and to visit, showcasing the people, places, industry and history of the New Orleans area. It includes topics spotlighting economic development, neighborhood activism, tourism and convention opportunities, dining, accommodations, recreation, the voluntourism movement and quality of life issues particularly related to the city as it continues to recover from Hurricane Katrina, which caused widespread damage to the area in August 2005.

“The New Orleans feature couldn’t have come at a better time, coinciding with the city’s hosting two premier sporting events, the Sugar Bowl and the BCS National Championship, and a host of conventions and meetings being held in the city this month,” said Stephen Perry, President and CEO of the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We sincerely appreciate the publishers highlighting our city at this exciting time in our history, for giving us this incredible opportunity to showcase the best of New Orleans, and for allowing us a chance to tell our story to such a wide-ranging international audience.”

Portrait: New Orleans editors, writers, and photographers worked closely with the community and area leaders to generate story ideas and photographs.

“New Orleans becomes the 6th city featured in the Delta Portrait series and I can tell you from a readership perspective this will be most anticipated and well received of any we've done,” said Steve Mitchem, leader of the PORTRAIT editorial team. “To a person our entire staff has gone through a transformation based on their experience in New Orleans. In every city we make friends, enjoy our experience and represent the city well.”

The editorial team spent a great deal of time in New Orleans this past October and November, meeting with local representatives from various business sectors and immersing themselves in the culture of the city.

“In New Orleans we were inspired and motivated by the passion and mission of residents. Our entire staff was both amazed and humbled by the ‘spirit of New Orleans’ and the ‘whatever it takes’ attitude that seems to prevail,” added Mitchem. “In our last editorial meeting one of our editors commented that if Katrina had to happen, New Orleans was the only place with the type of energy and soul to come back better than ever. We feature cities for a living ... New Orleans is the only city we've been to where it was truly a life changing experience for us all.”

“Living in the New Normal” is available on-line in PDF Format at http://www.delta-sky.com/2008_01/portrait/new_orleans/index.php.

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The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (www.neworleanscvb.com) is the driving force behind New Orleans' most important industry, tourism. Today the cultural riches, sensual indulgences and unparalleled service that define the New Orleans experience continue to flourish, as they have for centuries. The most celebrated and historic core of the city - including the French Quarter, Central Business District, Warehouse and Arts District, Magazine Street and Garden District - not only remains intact, both physically and spiritually, but is thriving. The New Orleans CVB is proudly welcoming visitors and business travelers every day.