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. The Crescent City 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 Simpleview, analyzed the largest conventions of 2,700+ or more hotel rooms on peak night. New Orleans was tied for third place in 2023 with San Diego.
This honor came as New Orleans was having a strong fall for conventions, 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, and ASHP (Pharmacists Advancing Healthcare).
With Super Bowl LIX set to touch down in February, New Orleans is hoping for more attention focused on their ability to accommodate large events. 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 in a media announcement, “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.”
Other recent meeting-related accolades for New Orleans include:
- Corporate & Incentive Travel Magazine picked New Orleans & Company for its Award of Excellence. It is given to hotels, resorts, conference centers and convention and visitors bureaus that have demonstrated an overall commitment to excellence and effectively hosted meetings and incentive travel programs based on superior service and support, comprehensive marketing and promotional assistance, and extensive assistance with accommodations and site inspections among some of the award criteria.
- Prevue Meetings + Incentives Magazine named New Orleans as one of the Ten Best Cities for LGBTQ-Friendly Conferences in the United States.
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