Travel
Condor Airlines Begins Nonstop Service
The second nonstop European flight to launch from New Orleans this year, Condor Airlines began service to Frankfurt, Germany on May 3. Flights will operate Wednesdays and Sundays through Oct. 4 on Boeing 767-3000ER aircrafts.
Numbers
Collision Conference Stats
From May 1-3, New Orleans’ Ernest N. Morial Convention Center hosted “America’s fastest growing tech conference.” Collision will return in 2018.
Attendance:
19,732
people from
119
countries
42.6
percent of attendees came as part of the Women in Tech program.
605
startups
Fun Facts:
173
questions asked by attendees at the Q&A stage, which included sessions with Coca-Cola CTO, Alan Boehme, astronaut Mike Massimino and Wyclef Jean.
Most favorited talk:
A Conversation with Chris Sacca (a two-hour chat with Sacca and CNN’s Laurie Segall)
102
musicians at Night Summit
2
pre-content meditation sessions
51,001
drinks
"This is a conservative-led reform and if you look at the people involved in it today who started it, it was all business and it was business organizations and those people are committed to it…Ultimately, when this works, we’ll all get the credit for having done great work."
James M. “Jay” Lapeyre Jr., CEO of Laitram, speaking in a new video called, “The Business Case for the Justice Reinvestment Package” by Smart on Crime Louisiana, Right On Crime and the Pelican Institute for Public Policy. In the video, Lapeyre expresses his support for the data-driven reform package that promises to save the state $300 million over a 10-year period while improving public safety.
To watch the video, visit BizNewOrleans.com.
Ports
Port of New Orleans Announces New Task Force and Bicycle Patrols
A Jefferson Parish President’s Task Force on police activity has been formed under the direction of Port of New Orleans President and CEO, Brandy Christian, to stimulate new developments and ideas for growth along the western edge of the port’s jurisdiction. Parish President Mike Yenni assembled the task force and collaborated with Christian to make the appointments, which include three riverboat pilots, a civil engineer, commercial real estate developer and two industry business owners.
On May 10, the Port of New Orleans added an extra layer of security to the New Orleans riverfront via bicycle patrols by the Port’s Harbor Police Department. The patrols began as the Port celebrated Maritime Month in May with a number of events.
Stats
Louisiana Worst State to be a Police Officer
Life & Work for Cops in Louisiana – state ranking
(1=Best; 25=Avg.)
49th Median Income for Law-Enforcement Officers (Adjusted for Cost of Living)
24th Median Income
Growth for Law-Enforcement Officers
46th Violent-Crime Rate
43rd Percent of Homicide Cases Solved
18th State & Local Police
Protection Expenses per Capita
47th Property-Crime Rate
50th Police Deaths per 1,000 Officers
Note: “Law-enforcement officers” includes police and sheriff’s patrol officers, detectives and criminal investigators.
Source: WalletHub
Awards
Downtown Nola Nominations
June 9 is the deadline to nominate someone for the 6th Annual Downtown NOLA Awards. Five honorees will be celebrated for making a positive impact to New Orleans’ Downtown at a luncheon set for Friday, Sept. 22. For more information, including requirements, visit DowntownNola.com/awards
Recent Openings
Chicken Salad Chick
On May 17, Chicken Salad Chick (CSC), the nation’s only southern inspired, fast casual chicken salad restaurant, opened its first location in the New Orleans market in Mandeville. The third Chicken Salad Chick in Louisiana, the restaurant is located at 3803 Highway 22.
Zeus’ Rescues
Located just around the corner from animal boarding and grooming site Zeus’ Place, now lies the second Uptown location of Owner Michelle Cheramie’s nonprofit, Zeus’ Rescues. The animal rescue and adoption organization opened May 2 at 2520 Napoleon Ave., is dedicated to eradicating pet homelessness and euthanasia in the New Orleans metro area.
Bayou Oaks Golf Course at City Park
New Orleans City Park and the Bayou District Foundation announced the opening of the $26 million Bayou Oaks Golf Course in New Orleans City Park on April 21. The 18-hole, par 72 course includes multiple tee locations and 46 bunkers designed to appeal to players of all levels.
French Truck Coffee
The newly restored May & Ellis building (221 Chartres St.) in the French Quarter is now home to the newest location of French Truck Coffee. The small-batch coffee roaster based in New Orleans officially opened the location May 12 and plans to follow with the addition of French Truck Baton Rouge in July.
Beef Jerky Outlet
Beef Jerky Outlet, the first national jerky franchise, opened its first New Orleans location on April 27 near the intersection of Causeway and Veterans at 3017 Veterans Blvd, Suite B in Metairie. The store specializes in more than 100 varieties of premium jerky, including exotic meats like kangaroo and alligator and offers specialty flavors like Moonshine and Cajun.
Homewood Suites French Quarter
On May 11, Homewood Suites New Orleans French Quarter (317 North Rampart St.) celebrated its official grand opening. The hotel offers a combination of studio and one-bedroom suites, 1,500-square-feet of meeting space, a fitness center, pool, and kitchen and grill area, along with a billiards room and putting green.
Historic Pythian Building
After sitting derelict for 15 years, the historic Pythian Building (234 Loyola Ave.) reopened on May 12. The building is co-developed by Green Coast, ERG Enterprises and Crescent City Community Land Trust who are including 69 apartments, along with retail space, a public market, a healthcare clinic and office spaces.