VIEW BREAKING NEWS FROM THE MEDIA CENTER AT WWW.REMEMBERREBIRTH.ORG


Wednesday, August 9, 2006
Media Contacts:
New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau:
Kelly Schulz 504-566-5045 / 504-421-0962 (cell)
Mary Beth Romig 504-566-5050 / 504-606-8430 (cell)
kschulz@neworleanscvb.com mbromig@nomcvb.com

Louisiana Recovery Authority: Natalie Wyeth 225-376-7799 Natalie.wyeth@la.gov

NOTMC: Lea Sinclair 504-523-4784  lea@notmc.com

MEDIA ALERT

OFFICIAL NEW ORLEANS MEDIA CENTER TO WELCOME MEDIA

AUGUST 21, 2006 – AUGUST 31, 2006

Center to Operate in Conjunction With One-Year Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

New Orleans, LA, Wednesday, August 9, 2006 – In anticipation of the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall in Southeast Louisiana, a coalition of state and local officials will host a central Media Center, in operation Monday, August 21 – Thursday, August 31, 2006. The Media Center will be located in the Gallery Room of the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, 500 Canal Street, in the heart of the city’s Central Business District.

Hours of operation are as follows:

Monday, August 21 – Thursday, August 24 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Friday, August 25 – Tuesday, August 29 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 30 – Thursday, August 31 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

The center will offer visiting journalists the opportunity to attend news briefings, press conferences and panel presentations including, but not limited to, Governor Kathleen Blanco, Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu and the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, Mayor Ray Nagin, Louisiana Economic Development, the Louisiana Recovery Authority, and other government, business and industry, and cultural leaders involved in recovery, restoration and economic development.

Comprehensive information regarding recovery and restoration efforts throughout the metropolitan New Orleans area and the state of Louisiana in the 12 months since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita made landfall will also be available in the Media Center, as will the ability to arrange for a driving tour of New Orleans.

Media credentials will be required to gain admittance into the Media Center and can be obtained by visiting http://neworleanscvb.com/crm/index.cfm/action/viewform/formID/67. In addition to access to the Center, credentialed media will receive via e-mail updated information as to scheduled briefings and special announcements. Credentials will also allow media access to a virtual media center containing updated facts and figures, press releases and other important information related to ongoing recovery issues.

Interested media must show current working press identification, and if necessary, provide proof of employment or contracted services on appropriate letterhead. Credentials are limited to current qualified editorial members of the media and will be available for pick-up in the New Orleans Media Center during hours of operation. Pre-registration for credentials is encouraged, but media representatives can register on-site in the Media Center.

Collaborating in hosting the Media Center are the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, the Louisiana Recovery Authority, Mayor Ray Nagin, Louisiana Economic Development, the New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Corporation and the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau. Participants also include the New Orleans City Council, the Louisiana Superdome, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the New Orleans Hospitality Industry Public Relations Council and the Women of the Storm.

Apply for credentials: http://neworleanscvb.com/crm/index.cfm/action/viewform/formID/67

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