Dear CVB Team,
This was a busy summer for the CVB in the area of advocacy. We joined our colleagues from across the nation in reaching out to our representatives in Congress to urge the reauthorization of Brand USA. For the past five years, Brand USA has been America's national destination marketing organization. The Brand USA bill has passed the United States House of Representatives and the Senate Commerce Committee. Our next hurdle will be passage by the full Senate. We will keep you posted on our efforts to get this important legislation on the President's desk for signature.
On the local front, we have been working with the City Council and members of the hospitality and tourism industry on new regulations that govern the use of software-based applications for on-demand vehicles for hire. Our combined efforts led to the passage of an ordinance sponsored by Council-member Jared Brossett. The new ordinance clears the way for companies like Uber Black to operate in New Orleans.
We are also working with industry partners and city leaders on the issue of short-term rentals and other matters that impact hospitality and tourism in our community.
Rest assured, the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau is the voice of the industry. We are pushing hard to make sure that local, state and national political leaders understand our industry and its impact on the local economy.
Best Regards,
Cheryl Teamer
Senior Vice President for Public Affairs