FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:
Kelly Schulz
New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau
504-421-0962 (mobile)
kschulz@neworleanscvb.com

Erica Papillion
New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau
504-566-5044
epapillion@neworleanscvb.com

Tourism Officials Promote New Orleans at The New York Times Travel Show
New Orleans food, culture showcased on national stage; CVB President Stephen Perry serves as keynote speaker

NEW ORLEANS - Feb. 23, 2007 – Officials from the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (NOMCVB) are in New York this weekend for the 2007 New York Times Travel Show to promote the city with other tourism partners and chefs.

The Louisiana Office of Tourism and New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation are event sponsors with the NOMCVB. Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu and the Office of Culture, Recreation and Tourism are prominently featured at the show as well.

Chef Paul Prudhomme, Ralph Brennan of Ralph’s on the Park, Melvin Rodrigue of Galatoire’s, The Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board and other prominent chefs and restaurant executives are preparing New Orleans cuisine throughout the weekend.

The Travel Show, being held in Manhattan’s Jacob Javits Convention Center, will bring together hundreds of the world’s most influential travel professionals, whose decisions influence destinations all over the globe. It also is open to consumers and potential visitors from the New York area.

Stephen Perry, president and CEO of the NOMCVB, served as keynote speaker at the conference’s luncheon today. His address, titled “New Orleans is Open for Business,” is sure to inspire attendees to rightly redirect their attention to the Crescent City and all it has to offer visitors.

According to Perry, “showcasing New Orleans to so many decision makers and consumers in New York is a powerful opportunity to show the world that the New Orleans experience is alive and well and open for business.”

The New York trip is one component of the NOMCVB's aggressive, strategic marketing, public relations and direct sales campaign, designed to celebrate its authentic culture, lure domestic and international visitors back, preserve the city's leading industry (hospitality) and overcome misperceptions about New Orleans among consumers.

The NOMCVB recently announced the appointment of global public relations firm Weber Shandwick to showcase New Orleans in major cities across the United States and garner positive mainstream media coverage. The NOMCVB is underwriting the production of a 30-minute travel television show, "A Whole New Orleans," showcasing the eclectic nature and vibrant culture of what is still America's most authentic and historic destination. And, its "Forever New Orleans" international branding campaign can be seen on billboards throughout the U.S. and in magazines targeting travel and meeting professionals.

The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (www.neworleanscvb.com) is the driving force behind New Orleans' most important industry, tourism, which generates $5 billion in visitor spending and creates 85,000 jobs. Today the cultural riches, sensual indulgences and unparalleled service that define the New Orleans experience continue to flourish, as they have for centuries. The most celebrated and historic core of the city - including the French Quarter, Central Business District, Warehouse and Arts District, Magazine Street and Garden District - not only remains intact, both physically and spiritually, but is thriving. The New Orleans CVB is proudly welcoming visitors and business travelers every day.