FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:
Mary Beth Romig
New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau
504-566-5019
mbromig@neworleanscvb.com

Kelly Schulz
New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau
504-566-5019
kschulz@neworleanscvb.com

New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau Bolsters Sales Teams
New sales managers strengthen both the convention sales and tourism departments

NEW ORLEANS – June 27, 2007 – The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau (NOMCVB) has appointed six new sales managers to aggressively confirm new business in corporate and association meetings markets and group leisure. The convention sales department welcomes Kelly Buchler, Yves Rougelot Clark, Jennifer Franz, Jennifer McDonald and Michelle Minyard; and the tourism sales department welcomes Martha Martinez.

Kelly Buchler brings a varied work history to the NOMCVB, having spent time in New York as a gallery manager, and held conference-related positions at New Orleans’ International House Hotel and at the Venetian Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas. Buchler will cover the West Coast and Southwest association meetings market.

Yves Rougelot Clark has worked for ABC News and in catering for a Washington D.C.-area Sheraton hotel. Clark previously worked for the NOMCVB’s Washington D.C. office from 1997-2002. She has returned to the D.C. office and will focus on a mixture of associations, government and corporate groups.

With six years of sales and hospitality industry experience, Jennifer Franz has worked for the Avenue Plaza Resort and Spa, followed by a sales manager position with George Ott Transportation Inc. Franz will be responsible for the short term small meetings market, both corporate and associations.

Jennifer McDonald, also with six years of sales and hospitality industry experience, has worked for Arnaud’s Restaurant and the J.W. Marriott, among others. At the NOMCVB, McDonald will focus on corporate meetings headquartered in the Northeast.

Michelle Minyard brings more than 20 years of sales and hospitality experience to the NOMCVB. Minyard has worked for several hotels in New Orleans and one in Miami, the Morial Convention Center and previously worked for the NOMCVB from 1998-2004. Minyard will now be responsible for the Midwest association market, as well as several large third party companies.

Martha Martinez is the NOMCVB tourism department’s newest addition, with 20 years in the sales and hospitality industry. Martinez has worked at New Orleans properties such as the Sheraton, the Fairmont Hotel, the Doubletree Hotel, and the Hampton Inn Hotels and Suites of New Orleans. Fluent in Spanish, Martinez will be handling tour operators and travel agents in Latin America, Africa, Asian/Pacific Rim and Japan to drive group leisure business to New Orleans.

The new sales managers are one component of the NOMCVB’s aggressive marketing, sales and PR campaign designed to celebrate New Orleans’ authentic culture, lure domestic and international visitors back and preserve the city’s leading industry (hospitality). The “Forever New Orleans” branding campaign is underway with ads and billboards nationwide and in trade magazines. “A Whole New Orleans,” a 30-minute travel television show, showcasing the eclectic nature and vibrant culture of the city, is in production. This spring, the NOMCVB embarked on a PR roadshow to earn positive mainstream media coverage, with stops in New York City, Chicago, Paris, London and Frankfurt. The roadshow will stop in several other U.S. cities by the end of the year.

Contact information for the new NOMCVB sales managers*:

New Orleans
Kelly Buchler, 504-566-5023; kbuchler@neworleanscvb.com
Jennifer Franz, 504-566-5038; jfranz@neworleanscvb.com
Martha
Martinez, 504-566-5096;mmartinez@neworleanscvb.com
Jennifer McDonald, 504-566-5017; jmcdonald@neworleanscvb.com
Michelle
Minyard, 504-566-5064; mminyard@neworleasncvb.com

Washington D.C.
Yves Rougelot Clark, 202-248-2113; yclark@neworleanscvb.com
*Photos
available upon request.

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.

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