Convention Center Showcases Economic Impact at Biz Night. Photo by Kelly Hite.
NEW ORLEANS — Biz Night at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center brought together business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community partners on Oct. 15 for an evening of networking inside the Center’s newly renovated Riverside Meeting Rooms. The event, hosted in partnership with Biz New Orleans, offered guests a first-hand look at the Convention
NEW ORLEANS — Biz Night at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center brought together business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community partners on Oct. 15 for an evening of networking inside the Center’s newly renovated Riverside Meeting Rooms.
The event, hosted in partnership with Biz New Orleans, offered guests a first-hand look at the Convention Center’s ongoing transformation and community engagement efforts.
“Biz Night is always a great chance to network, and this week provided the opportunity to visit the renovated Convention Center,” said Todd Matherne, CEO of Renaissance Publishing, which owns Biz New Orleans. “Biz Nights also demonstrate how Biz New Orleans can help local businesses host meetings and events that showcase their work and strengthen connections across the community.”
As attendees explored the renovated meeting spaces, Convention Center leaders highlighted the broader changes taking place throughout the 34-year-old facility. “As many of you know, we’ve been in the midst of a $763 million Capital Improvement Plan, a comprehensive effort to reimagine and modernize this facility from the inside out,” said Jim Cook, president and CEO of the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center. The design partner is Terry Dreyer, co-founder of NANO, and the Convention Center’s COO, Adam Straight.
“When Mayor Ernest N. Morial envisioned our convention center, he saw it as an economic engine that could generate prosperity across our community,” Cook added. “This year alone we have hosted 88 events with over 600,000 attendees generating over 500,000 overnight stays.”
Reimagining the Convention Center District
Among the most anticipated developments in the Convention Center District is the new OMNI New Orleans Hotel, a $575 million partnership that will stand on the site of the former Sugar Mill. The 1,000-room headquarters hotel will be the first convention hotel built in New Orleans in more than four decades.
“It will bring 1,000 guest rooms and hundreds of new jobs to our city,” said Cook. He added that the OMNI will open the door to new conventions and help retain existing customers. “Simply put, it’s a game-changer.”
Cook also emphasized the Convention Center’s investment in local business participation. “This year alone we have activated $1.4 million in direct Small Business partners from capital projects,” he said.
Expanding Opportunities for Local Businesses
At Biz Night, SEB Program Manager LaToya Martin and her team highlighted the Convention Center’s growing economic impact through its Small and Emerging Business (SEB) Program which has awarded $43 million in contracts to small and disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) since 2019.
The program expands opportunities for local vendors by promoting inclusion through education, outreach, and targeted procurement initiatives. Tools like the SEBconnect website and app, along with quarterly WIN with NOENMCC networking events, make it easier for small and diverse businesses to access and compete for Convention Center contracts.
Supporting the Hospitality Workforce
Proceeds from Biz Night benefited the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Louisiana’s hospitality industry workforce. Founded in 2006 by David Blitch, Tony Abadie, and other industry leaders, the Foundation runs education and crisis grant programs that assist hospitality workers across the state.
“We’re proud to support their work and I’d like to recognize Aimee Brown from the Foundation,” said Cook.
NOLA ChristmasFest
Guests also received the exclusive opportunity to win free tickets to NOLA ChristmasFest, taking place at the Convention Center Dec. 20–29 and rounding out an evening that celebrated not only the Convention Center’s modernization but its role as a catalyst for business, hospitality, and community impact.
Biz New Orleans
Since 2014, Biz New Orleans has provided key business news, thoughtful analysis, and valuable strategic insights to business leaders in the New Orleans metro area and beyond.
Through its award-winning monthly Biz New Orleans Magazine, daily news website BizNewOrleans.com, Biz Talks podcasts, daily Biz newsletters and signature events such as Biz Night, Biz New Orleans delivers in-depth reporting and fresh perspectives on the industries shaping the region.
Each year, Biz New Orleans also publishes the Biz 500, a definitive guide to the most influential business leaders in the Greater New Orleans area. Together, these platforms provide a comprehensive look at the region’s business landscape and serve as a hub for connection, collaboration, and community among Louisiana’s business professionals.
Biz New Orleans Awards
In June, Biz New Orleans Magazine was awarded two silver awards for design work published in 2024 at the Alliance of Area Business Publishers’ annual Editorial and Design Excellence Competition.
Biz New Orleans is published by Renaissance Publishing, a locally owned media company. Renaissance Publishing provides a full range of marketing solutions for businesses and also publishes New Orleans Magazine, New Orleans Homes, New Orleans Bride, St. Charles Ave., Louisiana Life, Acadiana Profile and several custom publications for local organizations. Additionally, see all Renaissance Publishing offerings at MyNewOrleans.com, LouisianaLife.com and AcadianaProfile.com.
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