NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), along with partners Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) and Greater New Orleans Hotel & Lodging Association (GNOHLA), will host a moderated forum on Monday, Sept. 25, giving New Orleans’ mayoral candidates an opportunity to share their platform on the importance of the hospitality and tourism industry.
The event takes place at Le Petit Theater, 616 St. Peter St., 6:30 p.m. -8:00 p.m., and confirmed mayoral candidates include Former Civil District Court Judge Michael Bagneris, City Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell and former Municipal Court Judge Desiree Charbonnet.
Tourism is a $7.41 billion industry in New Orleans, the largest industry in the city, supporting more than 86,000 jobs in New Orleans and 116,000 in the Greater New Orleans area, organizers said. The industry is growing, but success comes when leaders in both the public and private sectors invest in the people and infrastructure that form the backbone of the industry, they said.
Also scheduled to attend the forum are Stephen Perry, president and CEO, New Orleans CVB; Cheryl Teamer, vice president of public affairs, New Orleans CVB; Stan Harris, president and CEO, LRA; Mavis Early, executive director, GNOHLA; Jim Cook, general manager, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel; and David Teich, general manager, Windsor Court Hotel.
Due to limited seating, the forum is not open to the public, but will be livestreamed, starting at 6:30 p.m., on the New Orleans Will Facebook page.
