On December 6, the US Travel Association announced that New Orleans has been selected as the IPW host city for 2027! This is a huge win for our city, state and economy since IPW will bring thousands of international travel buyers and media to New Orleans and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The many great cities and towns across Louisiana will benefit from IPW as well, because New Orleans serves as the conduit for their international visitors. IPW is a major step forward in achieving one of our strategic goals to restore international tourism.
It's truly an honor to be chosen as a host city, considering that IPW’s entire purpose is to showcase the United States to international buyers – meaning they believe New Orleans to be one of the best destinations in America to attract international visitors to the U.S. It speaks volumes about New Orleans and our ability to host global meetings and conventions, leisure visitors, major cultural festivals, and national sporting championships.
As the leading inbound travel trade show, past IPWs have generated more than $5.5 billion in future travel by connecting U.S. travel exhibitors with travel buyers and media to promote their products and negotiate future business, securing America’s position as a foremost global travel destination and showcasing the best of what the U.S. has to offer. IPW is a business-first trade event, with over 90,000 pre-scheduled business appointments connecting 1,600 global travel buyers and press with several thousand U.S. travel suppliers. More than 5,000 travel professionals representing 60+ countries participate in total.
New Orleans last hosted IPW in 2016, which international customers and journalists still fondly remember. IPW 2027 will be our fifth time hosting this prestigious event, after 2016, 2002, 1993 and 1979.
New Orleans & Company has a strong partnership with Washington DC - based US Travel Association, the national, non-profit organization whose mission is to increase travel to and within the United States, and in doing so, fuel our nation’s economy and future growth. I am a member of their National Board of Directors, our SVP of PR Kelly Schulz chairs their Communications Committee and SVP of Tourism Kim Priez has served in various volunteer leadership roles for decades.
We cannot wait to host IPW 2027 and show attendees - and the world - that New Orleans is Built to Host!