Rex, King of Carnival, On Behalf of City of New Orleans, Issues Official Invitation to Mardi Gras

Media Contacts: Lea Sinclair, NOTMC, 504-491-5330, lea@notmc.com
Kristian Sonnier, NOCVB, 504-566-5011, ksonnier@neworleanscvb.com

Rex, King of Carnival, On Behalf of City of New Orleans, Issues Official Invitation to Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras and the carnival season is upon us, so Rex, King of Carnival, has issued his proclamation to citizens of the world via the New Orleans tourism industry.

NEW ORLEANS - January 6, 2016 - Carnival, also known as the ‘Mardi Gras season' in New Orleans, begins each year on "Twelfth Night." It all begins with an official proclamation from Rex, King of Carnival. The School of Design announces to the world that the season has begun and it is time to visit New Orleans to celebrate.

The Rex 2016 Royal proclamation continues a carnival tradition more than a century old," said Mark Romig, President and CEO of New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, NOTMC. "A proclamation from Rex, King of Carnival, signals that it is time to make plans to travel to New Orleans most famous celebration, yet another demonstration of how unique New Orleans is to the world."

The Rex organization began creating its Royal Invitation in 1872 when a group of young New Orleans leaders decided to issue invitations and a proclamation, inviting all to come to the Crescent City to join in its unique Mardi Gras celebration. In the days before mass media, broadcast, and tourism industries, the beautiful art posters and brochures were distributed in railroad stations, plastered on train cars, posted in centers of commerce, and placed in public buildings around the nation in major U.S. cities.

"Carnival season is one of the most exciting times of the year with celebrations leading up to Mardi Gras, which is Tuesday, February 9th this year. It's just another Tuesday everywhere else in the world, but in New Orleans it is a day that we celebrate our distinct history and culture," said Kristian Sonnier, Vice President of Communications with the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Mardi Gras embodies why people travel to New Orleans year round - great food, lively music and always a reason to celebrate."

The 2015 Royal Invitation incorporates artwork from 1886, inviting visitors to "gather, from far and near, to join in the many celebrations and processions which will shortly unfold under the joyful Carnival banner."

Each year, both the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC) and the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau (NOCVB) issue an electronic version of the Invitation to the nation and to international destinations, as well as over 60,000 travel trade professionals and tour operators. Both tourism corporations will feature the Royal Invitation on their websites.

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About New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC) The New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation promotes the city as a leisure tourism destination throughout the year. Annually, NOTMC's marketing campaigns include strategic print, broadcast, Internet advertising, and public relations. Websites: www.NewOrleansOnline.com; www.FollowYourNOLA.com; NewOrleansMuseums.com; RadioFreeNeworleans.com; GoNola.com. Social media: Facebook.com/NewOrleansOnline; Twitter.com/visitneworleans.

About the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau (NOCVB) The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau is a nationally accredited, 1,100-member destination marketing organization and the largest and most successful private economic development corporation in Louisiana. We help create $5.47 billion in new capital each year- more than any other business sector- by attracting millions of visitors, special events and conventions. The CVB and its members influence thousands of decision-makers and millions of visitors to choose New Orleans through direct sales, marketing, public relations, branding and visitor services at our New Orleans headquarters and offices in Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago, Phoenix and five countries. Consistently recognized as one of the top five CVBs in the country, the New Orleans CVB celebrated its 53rd anniversary in 2013. For more information, please visit http://www.neworleanscvb.com/.

About the School of Design Since Rex first paraded in 1872, millions and millions of happy residents and visitors have enjoyed the pageantry of Carnival Day in New Orleans. The official name of the Rex Organization is the "School of Design," but it is generally referred to as Rex or the Rex Organization. "Pro Bono Publico," the Rex motto, means "for the public good" and appears on all official Rex documents. Rex places great emphasis on this motto and uses it as a basis for all of its policies, activities, and community initiatives, including the work of the Pro Bono Publico Foundation, formed in 2006. More information on the Rex Organization can be found at www.rexorganization.com; www.probonopublicofoundation.org.