Equity
Policy

The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority (the “Authority“), the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s (“MCCNO“) governing board, is committed to ensuring equity in economic opportunities available at the Convention Center. Through its policies, procedures and the Small and Emerging Business Opportunity Program (the “Program“), the Authority seeks to promote contractor, subcontractor, vendor and supplier opportunities for Hudson-certified Small and Emerging Businesses (“SEB”) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (“DBE”) (collectively, “eligible business enterprises” or “EBEs“). To that end, the Authority will employ all lawful programs at its disposal in any and all contracting opportunities at MCCNO.

MCCNO’s Small and Emerging Business Opportunity Program is designed to strengthen our organization and our communities by proactively seeking EBEs who represent the communities that MCCNO serves. By providing equitable opportunities for small and diverse suppliers, MCCNO derives multiple benefits. The Program is integrated as part of our management team’s daily business activities. Through the Program, our sourcing teams and business units are able to build relationships with EBEs and facilitate access to bid and contract opportunities through a combination of:

Advocacy – Internally, the management team works to ensure that diverse suppliers gain visibility and have inclusion in sourcing, contracting, and procurement policies made by the Authority.

Outreach – Our management team actively seeks to establish relationships with EBEs through business networking, business fairs, matchmaker sessions, electronic and print communications, and participation in supplier events nationwide.

Certification Support – We encourage and direct suppliers to gain Hudson certification from the Louisiana Economic Development (LED) and/or DBE certification through the City of New Orleans/Airport/Harrah’s/Sewerage & Water Board’s SLDBE certification program, the State’s LAUCP program, or other independent local and national agencies. Click Here for More Information

Mentor/Protege – The management team advises and guides diverse suppliers to prepare
and position their businesses for maximum access to bid and contract opportunities with MCCNO by building mentor-protege relationships with primes.

Referrals – The management team actively communicates with EBEs by referring relevant procurement opportunities and other potential business leads to EBEs.

Not only do we contribute to the economic vitality of the communities that we serve, but our organization also benefits directly from a broader selection of competitively priced goods and services.