NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) has issued its Third Quarter Convention Sneak Peek for 2016, including a list of CVB-booked business for the months of July, August and September.
In the third quarter, The LCMS Youth Gathering will welcome 25,000 youth to the city in brightly colored T-shirts, with plans to clock in nearly 250,000 hours of community service. In addition, MechaCon’s Animé Convention will bring in 3,400 attendees, the 2016 Louisiana Foodservice & Hospitality EXPO will feature the 13th Annual Great American Seafood Cookoff and the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s Farm to Table Experience and Symposium will include a Chef’s Taste Challenge. The Water Environment Federation’s WEFTEC, the major citywide that is confirmed to meet in New Orleans every other year until 2026, will bring 18,000 visitors to New Orleans this September.
Local CVB campaigns this quarter include COOLinary Restaurant Month in August where locals and visitors can take advantage of discounted two to three course menu options from many restaurants across the city. This runs in conjunction with Be a Tourist In Your Own Hometown in August and September, which encourages locals to take advantage of discounts on hotels and attractions in the city. Additionally, the Louisiana Restaurant Association's Restaurant Week New Orleans, September 12-18, brings together discounted prix-fixe menu offerings from restaurants around the city.
July 16-20
Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS)
Youth Gathering
25,000 attendees
Both youth and adults come together during this LCMS Youth Gathering to celebrate God, form better bonds with people in the Church and touch on different settings of youth ministry happening around the world.
July 29-31
MechaCon
Animé Convention
3,400 attendees
MechaCon began as an animé convention that brings together animé, Transformers and Japanese culture. MechaCon has now evolved to include fandoms such as Sci-Fi, Comics and Domestic Animation, making it a complete fan experience.
August 6-8
Louisiana Restaurant Association
2016 Louisiana Foodservice & Hospitality EXPO
12,000 attendees
The Louisiana Foodservice & Hospitality EXPO is the largest and most attended showcase of its kind in the region. Held in New Orleans every August, the Louisiana Restaurant Association invites companies to exhibit their products and services to an audience of thousands of restaurant owners and operators. A wide variety of special events and educational seminars are available.
August 7-12
Progressive National Baptist Convention USA (PNBC)
Annual Session
3,500 attendees
During this three-day event, PNBC will celebrate their 55th Annual Session reflecting on the important contributions that they have made for our country and future efforts.
August 18-20
Farm to Table Experience
800 Attendees
This will be the premier annual gathering in the south exploring cultivation, distribution, and consumption of food and drink sourced locally. The Farm to Table Experience will feature tasting, interactive displays, hands-on workshops, chef demos, educational sessions and more.
August 19-22
Helen Brett Enterprise, Inc.
International Jewelry Fair/General Merchandise Show
15,000 attendees
Helen Brett Enterprises, Inc. is a full-service trade show production and management company that currently conducts quarterly gift and jewelry shows in New Orleans. Qualified buyers only.
September 24-28
Water Environment Federation
WEFTEC 2016
18,000 attendees
The 89th Annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) includes 29 workshops, 130 technical sessions, 16 mobile sessions on the exhibit floor, facility tours and more regarding water education.
