There’s no place like New Orleans. Known for world-class food and music, the city is also a top destination for conventions, meetings and events. New Orleans has the facilities, atmosphere and ongoing investments that make it “Built to Host.”
The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center stands out as a sustainability leader. It is among the first convention centers to receive LEED Gold certification under LEED v4.1 O+M. As part of a broader transformation, two lanes of Convention Center Boulevard were repurposed into a 7.5-acre pedestrian park planted with roughly 200 trees, covered porches, outdoor event spaces, water features and public art—bringing a greener, more welcoming environment to visitors and residents alike.
The city is constantly evolving with major projects that expand hospitality and meeting capacity. The iconic Caesars Superdome will complete a $450 million, five-year renovation ahead of the 2025 Super Bowl. Caesars is also investing $435 million to rebrand Harrah’s Casino, adding a new 340-room Caesars New Orleans Tower and a 55-suite NOBU hotel with a NOBU restaurant, scheduled to debut in fall 2024. Luxury offerings continue to grow with the upcoming Four Seasons Hotel and Residences, featuring 341 rooms and 29,000 square feet of meeting space. Plans are underway for Omni Hotels & Resorts to operate the future headquarters hotel for the convention center, expected to further increase the city’s capacity for events and conventions.
Jackson Square © Sean Pavone | Dreamstime.com
On the riverfront, the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority and River District Neighborhood Investors have broken ground on River District, a 39-acre mixed-use development adjacent to the convention center. The project will bring dining, retail, housing and entertainment options to the riverfront, creating an active and walkable neighborhood for attendees and locals.
“New Orleans has embarked on projects that will benefit residents and enhance the visitor experience for years to come: lighting projects on roads and bridges, road and sidewalk repair and resurfacing, beautification projects such as landscaping and art installations in public areas, park and recreation improvements, and telecommunication upgrades bringing 5G to the CBD,” said Stephanie Turner, senior vice president, Convention Sales and Strategies, New Orleans & Company. “These projects, along with many others, demonstrate that New Orleans is and continues to be ‘Built to Host.’”
Food lovers will find paradise in New Orleans. From Cajun and Creole specialties to a wide variety of Southern and international cuisines, dining here is a highlight of any visit. History and architecture are on display throughout the city: explore The National WWII Museum, the French Quarter’s historic buildings, Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral. Music fills the streets—traditional jazz at Preservation Hall, lively Bourbon Street performances and the club-lined Frenchmen Street that offers a range of live music experiences from one venue to the next.
Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site © StevenGaertner | Dreamstime.com
When you need a quieter moment, New Orleans offers numerous peaceful escapes: the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at the New Orleans Museum of Art, Audubon Park for picnics and walking, or the quieter Café Du Monde location in City Park. These spaces provide balance to the city’s energetic cultural scenes.
“In addition to exceptional cuisine, a storied history and an architecturally rich backdrop that naturally enhances an event, New Orleans’ unique culture and hospitality set us apart from other destinations,” Turner added.
SCENIC DRIVES
About two hours north of the city, St. Francisville offers winding rivers, parks, trails, rolling hills and golf. Antique shops, boutiques and a Thursday farmers market showcase local produce, crafts and artisanal goods. Local dining highlights include Magnolia Café and The Francis Southern Table & Bar for Cajun and Creole favorites. For an elevated evening, the historic St. Francisville Inn offers refined dishes such as eggplant Lucille, prepared with Louisiana crawfish, jumbo shrimp, fire-roasted peppers and Cajun cream.
Less than an hour north on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, Mandeville charms visitors with a shaded lakefront lined by giant oaks. Fish from the seawall along Lakeshore Drive or the Mandeville Pier at Sunset Point, or enjoy Fontainebleau State Park for camping, cabin rentals, beach access and the ruins of an 1830s sugar mill. The park’s trails are great for hiking and biking, and the Cane and Castine bayous invite kayaking. Waterfront dining is abundant—try Pat’s Rest a While or Rips on the Lake—and craft-beer fans can visit The Barley Oak. Mandeville also celebrates musical history at the Dew Drop Jazz & Social Hall, recognized as one of the oldest jazz halls in the country.