Ada Phillips, Director of Meetings & CME
American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

 
Carrie Smith, Chief of Learning
American Thoracic Society

 
Frederick Bell, Imperial Convention Director
Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles/Mystic Shrine

 
Courtney Trusty, Global Meetings Director
ConferenceDirect

 
Marlinda Henry, International Director of Events and Planning
Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International

 
Stephani Shepherd, Global Venue Finder
Girls On the Run

 
Carissa Merritt, Senior Manager, Conferences and Events
International Economic Development Council

 
Keshena Patterson, Director, Global Accounts
HelmsBriscoe

 
Shermell Williams, Operations Director for Technical Shows
Messe Frankfurt

 
Barbara Hartgrove, Sr. Director, Communications Strategy
McGraw-Hill Education

 
Secoya Holmes, Asst Vice President of Learning and Event Engagement
NASPA - Higher Education

 
Stephanie Jones, Managing Director, Professional Development & Events Strategy
Water Environment Federation

Jason Dunn, CEO
National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals

Carine Desroches, Meetings & Events Director
National Kidney Foundation

Hyatt Regency
601 Loyola Ave
New Orleans, La 70130
(504) 561-1234

Hotel Confirmation Numbers

Airport Transportation

Transportation to and from Armstrong International Airport compliments of New Orleans and Company- service provided by Carey New Orleans (504) 523-5466.

Arrivals: Please proceed to the baggage claim area.  Your driver will be waiting with proper signage, near the escalators.  Per airport regulation, drivers are not able to assist with retrieving bags off carousel.

Departures:  Please note pick up time is two hours prior to your scheduled flight departure time.  Pick up location is the breezeway of the Hyatt New Orleans.  Note transportation confirmation number above.

Essence 2025 Client Experience
Friday, July 4 through Sunday, July 6, 2025
 

Main Event Locations

Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
900 Convention Center Blvd.
The Essence App is required for entry into events at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, and other special destinations.
Essence Festival App

Caesars Superdome
1500 Sugar Bowl Drive
Essence Concert Series held at the Caesars Superdome
8:00pm – Until

Essence 2025 Client Experience

Arrivals

Welcome Lounge
Hyatt Regency Hotel
601 Loyola Ave
New Orleans, LA 70113
Regency Club - 32nd Floor
12:00pm - 4:00pm

Welcome Reception
Hyatt Regency Hotel
601 Loyola Ave
New Orleans, LA 70113
Empire Ballroom - 2nd Floor
6:00pm – 8:00pm

Shuttle Transportation to Caesars Superdome from Hyatt Regency
 Compliments of New Orleans & Company
Transportation will depart from Hyatt Regency at 8:00pm
Return transportation to Hyatt Regency will depart the Caesars Superdome at midnight.

Evening at the Caesars Superdome
Enjoy concert entertainment from a private suite. #TBD
1500 Sugar Bowl Dr
New Orleans, LA 70112
0.4 miles, 9 min walking distance from Hyatt Regency. Walk as a group to Caesars Superdome, optional.
8:00pm-until
Return transportation departing the Caesars Superdome at midnight back to Hyatt Regency

Brunch sponsored by New Orleans & Company
Morrow Steak
1003 Julia St, New Orleans, LA 70113-1904
Enter via O'Keefe Avenue
Meet in the lobby of the Hyatt New Orleans, 1st floor near the escalators.
Shuttle service is provided; traffic may cause delays. Shuttle service will loop, beginning at 10:45am.
Restaurant is also walkable: 0.4 mi, 10-minute walk.
Reception Style Brunch Service
11:00am – 1:00pm

Transportation from Morrow Steak to Hyatt Regency departs at 1:00PM.

Afternoon: On Own

Transportation to Essence Festivities at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center
from Hyatt Regency
1:30pm – 4:00pm
 Compliments of New Orleans & Company
The first route to the New Orleans Morial Convention Center will depart from Hyatt Regency at 1:30pm. Due to traffic, the shuttle driver will drop off as close as possible to the convention center.
A continuous loop from Hyatt Regency to the New Orleans Morial Convention Center will operate until 4:00pm.

Meet Up at 8 Block Restaurant, Upper Deck on Level 3
of Hyatt Regency New Orleans (Optional)
7:30pm-8:00pm
8:00pm – Walk as a group to Caesars Superdome, optional. Suite #TBD
 

Shuttle Transportation to Caesars Superdome from Hyatt Regency
 Compliments of New Orleans & Company
Transportation will depart from Hyatt Regency at 8:00pm
Return transportation to Hyatt Regency will depart the Caesars Superdome at midnight.

Concert Series at Caesars Superdome
8:00pm-Until
Private suite #TBD
0.4 miles, 9 min walking distance from Hyatt Regency
Return transportation to Hyatt Regency will depart the Caesars Superdome at midnight.

Farewell Brunch Sponsored by Hyatt Regency New Orleans
Hyatt Regency Hotel
601 Loyola Ave
New Orleans, LA 70113
Empire Ballroom - 2nd Floor
10:00am - 12:00pm

Afternoon: On own, or enjoy Rejuvenation Lounge

 Essence Festivities at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center
9:00am - 6:00pm
There will be no shuttle service provided to the New Orleans Morial Convention Center on Sunday.

Rejuvenation Lounge
Relaxation, Massage, and & Wellness Lounge Experience
Hyatt Regency Hotel
601 Loyola Ave
New Orleans, LA 70113
Empire Ballroom - 2nd Floor
2:00pm - 5:00pm
Sign up will be available via QR code. Information to follow.

Meet Up at 8 Block Restaurant, Upper Deck on Level 3
of Hyatt Regency New Orleans (Optional)
7:30pm - 8:00pm
8:00pm – Walk as a group to Caesars Superdome, optional. Suite #TBD

Shuttle Transportation to Caesars Superdome from Hyatt Regency
 Compliments of New Orleans & Company
Transportation will depart from Hyatt Regency at 8:00pm
Return transportation to Hyatt Regency will depart the Caesars Superdome at midnight.

Evening at Caesars Superdome
Enjoy concert entertainment from a private suite. #TBD
1500 Sugar Bowl Dr
New Orleans, LA 70112
0.4 miles, 9 min walking distance from Hyatt Regency. Walk as a group to Caesars Superdome, optional.
8:00pm-until
Return transportation departing the Caesars Superdome at midnight back to Hyatt Regency

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!

• Airport transfers are provided.  Return departures are two hours prior to your scheduled flight departure.
• Prepare for HOT weather and summer showers. We suggest packing an umbrella.
• Wristbands and paper tickets for evening concerts will be distributed at the welcome reception. Wristbands colors per night: Friday- Yellow / Saturday- Blue / Sunday- Orange. Don’t lose them!
• The Essence App is required for entry into events at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, and other special destinations.
  • Essence Festival App
• Superdome Suite number TBD.
• Caesars Superdome is a short, 5-10 minute walk from the Hyatt Regency, please bring comfortable walking shoes.
• Caesars Dome CLEAR BAG POLICY– All bags are prohibited other than clear vinyl bags no larger than 12″ wide x 12″ height x 6″ deep, Gallon Size Ziploc Bags (Limit 1 of either) and Small Clutch Purses no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″.
• ​NOTE: The following bags are not permitted:
  • Clear backpacks
  • Clear fanny packs
• Morrow Steak restaurant is walkable: about 6 blocks (0.4 mi / ~8 min) from Hyatt Regency. Head northwest on Loyola Ave toward Girod St. Turn left onto Girod St and walk 3 blocks. Turn right onto Julia St; Morrow Steak (1003 Julia St) will be on your right. Enter via O'Keefe Ave
• F&B will be provided in the suite for all concerts.
• Hyatt New Orleans check in time- 2:00pm / check out: 11:00am.

New Orleans & Company Host Contacts

Donna Glover, VP of National Accounts & Tradeshows
(504) 376-4999

Rocky Dufauchard, Director, National Accounts
(504) 481-5415

Fay Nedd, Director, National Accounts
(504) 319-7699

Takasha Weaver, Account Executive
(256) 658-6681

Mia Burkhardt, Manager of Tradeshows & Events
(504) 609-1404
(Main point of contact for questions pertaining to events, transportation, venue locations)

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HOSTING YOU!