NEW ORLEANS – The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority (“Authority”), the governing board of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, launched a television campaign this week honoring the legacy of its namesake, Former Mayor Ernest N. “Dutch” Morial, and his commitment to economic inclusion for all New Orleans citizens.
The campaign, which features archival footage of the former Mayor was created to encourage Small and Emerging Businesses to stay connected to current and future opportunities available at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The former Mayor was known for his many “firsts,” including creating New Orleans’ first Office of Economic Development.
“The Convention Center has made it our commitment to support Small and Emerging Businesses,” said Walt Leger III, Authority Chairman. “Our goal is to inspire businesses, big and small, to promote the economic growth of our small business community,” Leger added.
The campaign will run during local television news programs for two weeks.
Last year, the Authority launched the SEBConnect App, a first-of-its-kind business tool specifically designed to put contracting opportunities at the Convention Center in the hands of small businesses via their smart phones. Businesses are encouraged to download the SEBConnect app, available for free on iOS and Android platforms.
In addition to SEBConnect, the Authority’s Small and Emerging Business program has a dedicated webpage devoted to assisting business owners with State and Local program certification as well as an integrated outreach campaign to educate business owners on the opportunities at the Convention Center. Information on the program, along with campaign videos, can be accessed at https://exhallnola.com/opportunities/small-emerging-business-program/.
About the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
With 1.1 million square feet of prime exhibit space, in an entirely contiguous hall, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center provides the largest single exhibit space in the country. The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center features an award winning staff and first class amenities, and is the sixth largest convention center in the nation. A consistent Top 10 host of the largest conventions and tradeshows in the nation annually, the Convention Center is also one of the city’s “Top Workplaces.” A leading contributor to the city’s robust tourism economy, the Convention Center’s event activity has produced $90.1 billion in economic impact since its 1985 opening, including $5.7 billion in new tax revenue for state and local governments.
About the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority
The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority’s (Authority) exclusive mission is to finance, construct and operate facilities in order to attract and conduct conventions, trade shows and other events that support and expand the economy of both the State of Louisiana and New Orleans Region. The Authority is composed of a 13-member board of commissioners, ten appointed by the Governor of Louisiana, and three appointed by the Mayor of New Orleans. Since 1985, event activity at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has produced $90.1 billion in economic impact since its 1985 opening, including $5.7 billion in new tax revenue for state and local governments.
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