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 Honored with Gold Service ‘Elite’ Award by Meetings and Conventions magazine

NEW ORLEANS - Aug. 30, 2006 – The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (NOMCVB) is pleased to announce that it has received the highly distinguished Gold Service ‘Elite’ Award for 2006 by Meetings and Conventions magazine.

This honor defines the “best of the best” convention & visitors bureaus who have excelled in both professionalism and dedication in their service. To earn this Elite’ status, the NOMCVB was voted as one of the top five finest CVBs in the world by the industry’s most important critics, M&C’s readers.

M&C’s readers, relying on their overall industry expertise, nominated and selected 86 domestic and international CVBs to earn the 2006 Gold Service award, with only five reaching the Gold Service ‘Elite’ distinction. The NOMCVB was chosen based on a strict set of criteria: professionalism of staff; support on hotels and site inspections; assistance with ground transportation planning; guidance on local attractions; and liaison with local vendors and services.

“Excelling above their peers, the 2006 Gold ‘Elite’ winners and their staffs should be commended by the entire industry for setting the standard for service,” said Bernard W. Schraer, Meetings and Conventions Group Publisher. “M&C’s entire staff joins our readers in congratulating the five superior CVBs who have strived to develop working partnerships with meeting professionals.”

All winners will be honored and receive their Gold Service ‘Elite’ Award as part of M&C’s Gold Awards gala ceremony on November 10, 2006 in New York City. In addition, winning CVBs will be featured in Meetings & Conventions’ Gold Awards issue published this November.

“The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau is honored to be recognized by a respected industry publication such as Meetings & Conventions,” said Stephen Perry, president and CEO of the NOMCVB. “New Orleans has been through an extraordinary situation the past year, but meetings are back, the Ernest Morial Convention Center looks better than ever, and meeting attendees can count on the same authentic New Orleans experience. We are so grateful to the meetings industry for its support and encourage all meeting professionals to come here and see the city and experience our commitment to making every meeting a resounding success.”

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.