CMW hears from Walt Leger III, president and CEO New Orleans & Company, about the local events scene and what this special city is cooking up for conferencing:
What impact did the Super Bowl LIX, hosted in February, have on the New Orleans business events industry and how is the city leveraging the legacy of such a major event to attract more conferences and conventions?
Hosting the Super Bowl for a record tying 11th time allowed us to remind the world that New Orleans is one of the most remarkable, unique and welcoming cities in the world, truly built to host iconic events. Major events like Super Bowl LIX create an opportunity to upgrade substantial community assets, like telecommunications infrastructure upgrades, street and sidewalk improvements, new lighting updates, parks, landscaping and public art installations. These improvements will remain and benefit residents and visitor for decades to come.
Can you share any specific economic impacts from the Super Bowl that demonstrate its success for the city?
The actual economic impact of Super Bowl will not be available until late April, however, initial estimates say New Orleans will see an economic impact of $500m from approximately 125,000 visitors in direct spending – staying in hotels, eating and drinking in restaurants and bars, and shopping in our shops. The truth is that events like this impact every aspect of the economy and create opportunities for construction workers, telecommunications workers, artists, musicians, transportation professionals and so many more. $3.5m in grants were awarded to 65 non-profits across a 10-parish region.
New Orleans Entrepreneur Week returned for its 14th year in March 2025. How did that contribute to the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem?
New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW) has become a cornerstone event in the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, driving innovation, collaboration, and business growth. NOEW has played a pivotal role in fostering a thriving start-up culture by providing a platform for emerging entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas, connect with investors, and gain critical industry insights. The event’s impact extends beyond start-ups – it strengthens New Orleans’ reputation as a hub for innovation and business events.
By attracting industry leaders, venture capitalists, and corporate decision-makers, NOEW creates valuable networking opportunities that lead to long-term business partnerships and investments. For the second year, NOEW partnered with the New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University to create a dynamic environment to foster innovationand community engagement and adding a literary and thought-leadership dimension. NOEW partners with Loyola University, Tulane University and Xavier University to position New Orleans as a centre for both creative entrepreneurship and intellectual exploration, attracting a diverse audience of business leaders, academics, and thought influencers.
What strategies has New Orleans implemented to overcome recent disasters and strengthen its resilience, particularly in relation to the events industry?
As we faced the challenges of the tragic New Year’s terror event, we were grateful to the customers and colleagues from around the world who reached out to offer condolences and support. But even as that terrible event happened, we were resolved to not let a single act of evil keep people from meeting and connecting in our vibrant city. Millions of visitors are drawn to New Orleans because of our welcoming people and our beautiful, inclusive culture.
New Orleans is uniquely built to host major events, meetings, and conventions, and our preparation for upcoming events, and our community’s spirit and resilience, will not be deterred by this horrific act. In Q3 of 2023, Anne Kirkpatrick, one of the most tenured police executives in the country with 35+ years of policing experience, was appointed as Police Superintendent. NOPD is working to refine policing strategies and improve operations.
Troop NOLA, founded in 2024 by colonel Robert Hodges and governor Jeff Landry, is a specialised unit of the Louisiana State Police working alongside NOPD dedicated to enhancing public safety and improving quality of life in the city. There is a 24/7 Surveillance & Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) with 1,500+ cameras using facial recognition technology. There is also the Downtown Development District’s (DDD) Public Safety Rangers, a non-commissioned force of safety professionals who patrol Downtown on foot and bicycle.
The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) benefits from a strong security presence, including NOPD and private security. Its proximity to the Port of New Orleans adds an extra layer of protection with Harbor Police. Crime continues its downward trend in 2025 with a year-to-date 32% decrease over 2024 in overall crime.
Are there any new developments or initiatives planned for 2025 to enhance New Orleans’ position as a premier event destination?
Over $2bn worth of investments are either completed or underway. Highlights include a $557m renovation at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center including transforming two lanes of Convention Center Boulevard into a 7.5-acre pedestrian park. Ongoing projects include modernising all 140 meeting rooms and public spaces and a new, energy-efficient roof.
The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is the sixth largest Convention Center in the United States and provides the largest single exhibition space in the country, all under one roof. The Omni Headquarter Hotel is planning to build a 1,000 room hotel with 100,000 sq.ft of meeting space located across the street from the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Hall C.
Caesar’s Superdome completed a $560m renovation just before Super Bowl LIX and Caesar’s Entertainment, Inc. invested $435m to rebrand Harrah’s Casino and build a new 340-room hotel tower which opened in autumn 2024. The Fairmont New Orleans, is under construction with plans to open Summer 2025 with 20,000sq.ft of function space. An Element by Marriott with approximately 200 extended stay rooms is also part of the project, set to open in Summer 2025.
The River District is 39 acres of riverfront property adjacent to the convention centre and is being transformed into a vibrant new neighbourhood.
What of the long-term impact of hosting regular large-scale events like Jazz Fest, French Quarter Festival, and Essence Festival?
The city’s proven track record of successfully hosting large-scale events demonstrates its infrastructure, adaptability, and hospitality expertise, making it a top contender for securing major conventions and corporate events. This drives repeat business and long-term partnerships, strengthening New Orleans’ reputation as a premier meeting and events destination.
Culturally, these large-scale events play a vital role in preserving and promoting New Orleans’ rich heritage. They celebrate the city’s distinctive music, cuisine, and art, reinforcing its identity and offering a platform for local artists and creators. The global recognition these events receive helps position New Orleans as a cultural capital, attracting international visitors and media attention, which enhances the city’s reputation as a premier destination.
For locals, these festivals serve as cultural touchstones, fostering pride and strengthening the community’s connection to its traditions. Tourism drives our economy and the things that make our city an attractive place to visit can also make it an attractive place to live, work and invest. Meetings, conferences and exhibitions are critical economic drivers for our city, region and state.
But beyond economic impact is the community and societal benefits that come along with these gatherings. New science and technologies are revealed and distributed, and new product launches are the catalysts of moving global commerce forward.
One of the city’s biggest advantages is its compact geographical footprint, which creates a campus-like environment. Ranked as one of the fifth most walkable cities in the US (USA Today), New Orleans is easy for visitors to explore on foot. With 26,000 hotel rooms downtown and over 4m sq.ft. of meeting and event space, including the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Caesars Superdome, Smoothie King Center, and iconic venues like The Fillmore and the Orpheum, New Orleans offers the capacity and flexibility to accommodate events of all sizes.
What truly sets New Orleans apart is how its rich culture is naturally infused into every event. Unlike other destinations where planners must create or purchase experiences, New Orleans’ vibrant music, cuisine, and history are already part of the fabric.
New Orleans’ commitment to hosting events that leave a lasting impact is further demonstrated by our impressive third place ranking in the Top 250 Meetings Destinations study. The “study found that 88% of the top 250 conventions in the country will meet in only 20 cities and New Orleans is on the list at number three. The study, conducted in 2024 by 2Synergize, LLC, Destinations International and Simpleview, analysed the largest conventions of 2,700+ or more hotel rooms on peak night.
What of sustainability initiatives being implemented in New Orleans’ events industry?
New Orleans & Company sponsors of Love Your City Sustainability Challenge. Every year, they have a new challenge for businesses to become more sustainable through waste diversion, energy, water management, beautification, and more. This year, 74 businesses participated completing 812 impact actions.
Recylce Dat! is a parade recycling project working to reduce the amount of trash sent to landfills during Carnival Season. This
