External Affairs & Membership

Membership

The Membership team at New Orleans & Company focuses on providing education, benefits, and support to members while enhancing engagement through events, technology, and streamlined processes. With over 1,200 members, the team works to connect businesses with opportunities that promote growth and visibility.

Member Engagement & Events

The team emphasizes engagement by tracking member interaction across multiple channels, such as event participation, newsletters, leads, and social mentions. This data helps refine services and address evolving member needs.

Throughout the year, the team hosts webinars, networking events, and educational opportunities, including:

  • Business After Hours
  • Coffee & Conversation
  • Tourism University
  • National Travel and Tourism Week
  • Member Appreciation Holiday Breakfast
  • Hospitality Industry Holiday Party

The Member-to-Member Expo fosters connections by allowing businesses to showcase products and services to peers and local partners. National Travel and Tourism Week highlights the industry’s impact through events like Transportation Appreciation Day and Random Acts of Kindness, culminating in a Volunteer Day supporting community organizations.

Member Resources & Communication

To increase visibility for members, New Orleans & Company produces printed and digital resources such as the Visitors Guide, Meeting Planner Guide, and Wedding Guide, alongside digital tools like the Membership Directory and Facebook group. The team maintains clear communication through newsletters, Membership Minute videos, and targeted updates.

Collaboration & Partnerships

  • The Membership team collaborates internally and externally to diversify membership and encourage participation in programs like COOLinary New Orleans, Museum Month, and Holidays New Orleans Style.
  • Partnerships for Growth: Reciprocal memberships with the New Orleans Regional Black Chamber and Hispanic Chamber of Louisiana, and collaboration with the Urban League of Louisiana to support women in retail.
  • Sustainability Initiatives: Through the Keep It Clean NOLA Campaign, participants collectively diverted millions of pounds of waste from landfills.
  • Special Events: Partnerships with local institutions like the Audubon Nature Institute and The National WWII Museum provide members with exclusive previews and networking opportunities.
  • Inclusivity: Relaunched the Everyone’s Welcome Here sticker program in partnership with the New Orleans LGBTQ Hospitality Alliance (NOLHA) to promote inclusivity across the city’s businesses.

Public Affairs

Workforce Development

The team actively supports workforce recruitment and retention by engaging with HR professionals to identify needs and connect businesses with resources. Initiatives include:

Workforce development programs focused on conflict resolution, communication, and guest service training for frontline employees.
Partnerships with organizations like 504HealthNet and GNO Federal Credit Union to improve workforce support.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

The CSR committee drives initiatives under four key pillars: workplace, sustainability, community and economy, and philanthropy.

  • Sustainability: Programs like Keep It Clean NOLA and the Mardi Gras parade route recycling initiative reduce waste and promote environmental responsibility.
  • Community Impact: Relaunched the Procurement Council to connect small businesses with opportunities in the tourism industry.
  • Philanthropy: Staff volunteer efforts include partnerships with Habitat for Humanity, Second Harvest, and school supply drives.

Quality of Life Initiatives

New Orleans & Company prioritizes improving quality of life for residents, understanding that what benefits locals also enhances the visitor experience. The team collaborates with officials and organizations on issues like public safety, infrastructure, and transportation.

Key efforts include:

  • Partnering to decommission the Tchoupitoulas encampment, placing individuals into housing.
  • Launching the Home for Good fundraising and communications platform to address unsheltered homelessness.
  • Hosting an industry-focused health fair in partnership with healthcare providers to offer screenings and connect workers with affordable care.
  • Supporting law enforcement through a meal program with local restaurants to boost morale and express appreciation for public safety efforts.

Building a Stronger Community

Through its membership engagement, workforce development, sustainability programs, and quality-of-life initiatives, New Orleans & Company continues to strengthen the city’s hospitality and tourism industry. By fostering connections, promoting collaboration, and advocating for local businesses, the External Affairs Department ensures that New Orleans thrives as both a vibrant place to live and a world-class destination.