Black Meetings & Tourism - NEW ORLEANS RANKS THIRD IN THE NATION AS A TOP CONVENTION DESTINATION

Industry Briefs
NEW ORLEANS RANKS THIRD IN THE NATION AS A TOP CONVENTION DESTINATION
Latest Ranking Adds To Series Of Accolades For A City Built To Host Large, Complex Meetings A new “Top 250” study found that 88 percent of the top 250 conventions in the country will meet in only 20 cities and New Orleans tops the list at number three. New Orleans ranked above top-tier convention destinations such as Chicago, Las Vegas, Nashville and Atlanta. Only San Diego and Orlando came in above New Orleans for the number of meetings hosted. The study, conducted in 2024 by 2Synergize, LLC, Destinations International and S impleview, analyzed the largest conventions of 2,700+ or more hotel rooms on peak night. New Orleans’ high ranking reinforces that customers appreciate New Orleans’ walkability, compact geographic footprint, world-class venues, unmatched culture and hospitality expertise. New Orleans was tied for third place in 2023 with San Diego. This honor comes as New Orleans is having a strong fall for conventions, recently hosting GNP Seguros (GRUPO Nacional Provincial), Water Environment Federation, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), American Dental Association, American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), National Trust For Historic Preservation, American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Vertex, Inc., College Media Association (CMA), Marine Forces Reserve, Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), Aurora Institute, National Science Teaching Association, International Trademark Association, Diversified Business Communications, American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene, ASHP (Pharmacists Advancing Healthcare), and more. New Orleans & Company also is driving convention and meetings business well into the 2030s, and beyond. Walt Leger, III , President and CEO of New Orleans & Company, the official destination marketing and sales organization for New Orleans tourism industry, said, “This honor is a testament to our city’s Built to Host attributes, but also the tremendous expertise, longevity and professionalism of the New Orleans & Company Convention Sales and Services team, led by our SVP Stephanie Turner. In partnership with the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, our hotel community and all our hospitality partners, we know how to take care of each customer, adapting to their changing needs and successfully execute complex meetings and events. The meetings industry is highly competitive, and this designation speaks to the professionalism and hospitality extended by our community.” New Orleans & Company is the official destination sales and marketing organization for New Orleans’ tourism industry. Founded in 1960, our mission is to inspire, promote and encourage travel to our city for the economic, social and community benefit of New Orleans and its people. Our vision is to ensure New Orleans remains the most remarkable, unique, and welcoming city in the world. For more information, visit us at neworleans.com or on social media @VisitNewOrleans or @Neworleansandco. 2Synergize, LLC is a Simpleview consulting agency specializing in he DMO industry, with a laser focus on helping destinations and partner organizations gain a competitive edge in the meetings and events market. Simpleview , now part of Granicus, is a worldwide leading provider of CRM, CMS, website design, digital marketing services, and data insights for convention bureaus, venues, tourism boards, destination marketing organizations (DMOs), and attractions. The company employs staff across the globe, serving clients of all sizes, including small towns, world capitals, top meeting destinations, and countries across multiple continents. For more information, please visit https://www.simpleviewinc.com/. Destinations International is the world's largest resource for official destination organizations, convention and visitors Bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards. Destinations International is about serving destination marketing professionals first and foremost. Together with more than 4,700 members and partners from nearly 600 destinations in approximately 15 countries, Destinations International represents a powerful forward-thinking, collaborative association, exchanging bold ideas, connecting innovative people and elevating tourism to its highest potential.

Industry Briefs

NEW ORLEANS RANKS THIRD IN THE NATION AS A TOP CONVENTION DESTINATION

Latest Ranking Adds To Series Of Accolades For A City Built To Host Large, Complex Meetings

A new “Top 250” study found that 88 percent of the top 250 conventions in the country will meet in only 20 cities and New Orleans tops the list at number three. New Orleans ranked above top-tier convention destinations such as Chicago, Las Vegas, Nashville and Atlanta. Only San Diego and Orlando came in above New Orleans for the number of meetings hosted.

The study, conducted in 2024 by 2Synergize, LLC, Destinations International and S impleview, analyzed the largest conventions of 2,700+ or more hotel rooms on peak night. New Orleans’ high ranking reinforces that customers appreciate New Orleans’ walkability, compact geographic footprint, world-class venues, unmatched culture and hospitality expertise. New Orleans was tied for third place in 2023 with San Diego.

This honor comes as New Orleans is having a strong fall for conventions, recently hosting GNP Seguros (GRUPO Nacional Provincial), Water Environment Federation, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), American Dental Association, American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), National Trust For Historic Preservation, American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Vertex, Inc., College Media Association (CMA), Marine Forces Reserve, Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), Aurora Institute, National Science Teaching Association, International Trademark Association, Diversified Business Communications, American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene, ASHP (Pharmacists Advancing Healthcare), and more.

New Orleans & Company also is driving convention and meetings business well into the 2030s, and beyond.

Walt Leger, III , President and CEO of New Orleans & Company, the official destination marketing and sales organization for New Orleans tourism industry, said, “This honor is a testament to our city’s Built to Host attributes, but also the tremendous expertise, longevity and professionalism of the New Orleans & Company Convention Sales and Services team, led by our SVP Stephanie Turner. In partnership with the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, our hotel community and all our hospitality partners, we know how to take care of each customer, adapting to their changing needs and successfully execute complex meetings and events. The meetings industry is highly competitive, and this designation speaks to the professionalism and hospitality extended by our community.”

New Orleans & Company is the official destination sales and marketing organization for New Orleans’ tourism industry. Founded in 1960, our mission is to inspire, promote and encourage travel to our city for the economic, social and community benefit of New Orleans and its people. Our vision is to ensure New Orleans remains the most remarkable, unique, and welcoming city in the world. For more information, visit us at neworleans.com or on social media @VisitNewOrleans or @Neworleansandco.

2Synergize, LLC is a Simpleview consulting agency specializing in he DMO industry, with a laser focus on helping destinations and partner organizations gain a competitive edge in the meetings and events market.

Simpleview , now part of Granicus, is a worldwide leading provider of CRM, CMS, website design, digital marketing services, and data insights for convention bureaus, venues, tourism boards, destination marketing organizations (DMOs), and attractions. The company employs staff across the globe, serving clients of all sizes, including small towns, world capitals, top meeting destinations, and countries across multiple continents. For more information, please visit https://www.simpleviewinc.com/.

Destinations International is the world's largest resource for official destination organizations, convention and visitors Bureaus (CVBs) and tourism boards. Destinations International is about serving destination marketing professionals first and foremost. Together with more than 4,700 members and partners from nearly 600 destinations in approximately 15 countries, Destinations International represents a powerful forward-thinking, collaborative association, exchanging bold ideas, connecting innovative people and elevating tourism to its highest potential.