Dear Friends of New Orleans & Company,
Like you, we are excited to be moving into the fall—one of the most vibrant and active times of the year in New Orleans.
Thanks to the work of New Orleans & Company and our many sales partners, the next three months are packed with conventions and meetings; fall festivals and cultural celebrations; Saints, Pelicans and Tulane home games; Krewe of Boo and Halloween festivities; NOLAxNOLA; Music Month; Fit Fête; and so much more.
It is a powerful reminder of what makes New Orleans so special: there is always something happening, always something worth celebrating and always another reason to be here.
All of this travel supports jobs and small businesses. Conventions bring leaders, ideas and investment to our city. Festivals and cultural events sustain the people and traditions that make New Orleans unlike anywhere else. And stronger connections—to other cities, other countries and one another—create opportunities that benefit our entire region.
While we work hard to finish the year strong, let us also pause and remember how fortunate we are to live and work in New Orleans. A thriving visitor economy should make New Orleans stronger as a place to live, work, learn, invest and visit.
Everything we do at New Orleans & Company is designed to inspire, promote and encourage travel to our city for the economic, social and community benefit of New Orleans and its people, and the benefits created by that work extend to the broader region and across the state. Here are a few highlights of our progress toward our four strategic goals.
Strategic Goal One: Deliver the Most Innovative and Exceptional Sales and Service
- Built to Host - New Orleans is entering the final months of 2026 with strong momentum in the meetings and conventions market, welcoming at least 225,000 attendees from more than 60 countries for 14 major conventions, conferences and meetings between September and the end of the year at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Hundreds of additional meetings and events will take place in hotels and other venues throughout the city during the same period. To learn more, please click here.
Strategic Goal Two: Make New Orleans a Great Place to Live, Work and Visit
- A Healthier New Orleans – The September issue of Tourism Matters is hot off the press. The cover story is about the inaugural Fit Fête, November 13–14 at City Park. Combining the New Orleans Marathon, Community Games and WellNXT Fest, Fit Fête is about more than a single weekend. It reflects a broader vision of New Orleans as a place where people come together not only to celebrate, but to live well, compete, connect and build community. Local businesses and organizations can begin preparing now by registering a Community Games team and encouraging employees to start earning points through wellness challenges and community activities.
- Registration packages begin at $1,500 for four athletes, with additional packages available for teams of 10, 20, 48, 96, or more. All registration fees include a credit toward 2027 New Orleans & Company membership dues. To field a corporate or nonprofit team, or learn more about the entire weekend, visit nolafitfete.com or contact Jenna Theriot at jtheriot@neworleans.com. Please click here to read the entire Tourism Matters issue.
- Let the Good Times Roll - The Good Times Pass is a digital ticket, created and managed by New Orleans & Company, that lets visitors choose six premier local cultural attractions for $169, saving them up to $100. Through our affiliate program, businesses can now sell the pass directly to guests and earn a 10% commission on every purchase. Participation requires zero upfront costs or inventory management, as sales are driven simply through a custom QR code displayed on property or a dedicated link on digital channels. Beyond creating a new revenue stream, 90 percent of every dollar spent stays within our community to directly support our participating cultural institutions. To join the program, please email Tristan Bagala at tbagala@neworleans.com.
Strategic Goal Three: Create and Own a Clear, World-Class Brand for New Orleans
- The City of Serendipity! - New Orleans & Company soon will launch a new brand campaign positioning New Orleans as the City of Serendipity. The idea grew from a simple truth about visiting New Orleans: some of the most memorable experiences are the ones you never planned. A walk to dinner might lead to live music, a conversation with a local, or a discovery that changes the course of the day. These moments feel distinctly New Orleans because the city invites visitors to explore, connect with others, and follow their curiosity. The campaign will bring that feeling to life and encourage visitors to experience the city beyond the stops on their itinerary. We will bring it to life through video, social content, partnerships, and the voices of people who know New Orleans firsthand. For more information, please contact Jeremy Cooker at jcooker@neworleans.com.
Strategic Goal Four: Build International Tourism
- Countdown to IPW - For the first time in 10 years, New Orleans will host US Travel Association’s IPW conference in May 2027. IPW is the premier travel trade show driving international visitation to the United States, which will bring thousands of international travel buyers and journalists from over 60 countries to our city and state. This event is the Super Bowl of international travel and we need your help. To learn how you can get involved, please click here.
There is real momentum to build upon. As we prepare for 2027, we are focused on creating more demand, better demand and more consistent demand throughout the year. Our team is working hard to build a destination that competes and wins year-round — across conventions and meetings, leisure travel, international visitation, sports and major events.
Thank you, as always, for your partnership. We’ll talk again soon.
Sincerely,
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 Walter J. Leger III President & CEO New Orleans & Company |