Hospitality
Plans Move Forward for Convention Center Hotel
Officials with the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center have moved into contract negotiations to build a 1,200-room headquarters hotel. Part of a five-year plan created in 2017 to modernize the 35-year-old convention center, the proposed Omni Hotel includes 1,200 guest rooms, 150,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, and multiple food, beverage and retail outlets. It is estimated that the hotel’s construction will employ approximately 1,900 people and, when open, will generate an additional 1,900 new permanent jobs for area residents. Enhancements and improvements being made to the convention center include replacement of the building’s 40-acre roof, significant upgrades to restrooms and modernization of the meeting rooms and public areas.
Rankings
Louisiana Ranks Poorly for State Economy
In a recently released report entitled “2019’s Best and Worst State Economies,” WalletHub used 28 key indicators of economic performance and strength to rank states.
Economic Performance of Louisiana (1=Best; 25=Avg.)
42nd in GDP Growth
39th in Startup Activity
47th in % of Jobs in High-Tech Industries
43rd in Annual Median Household Income
46th in Change in Nonfarm Payrolls
31st in Government Surplus/Deficit per Capita
36th in Unemployment Rate
For the full report, visit wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-best-economies/21697/
GRADUATION
Goldman Sachs
On June 4, more than 85 entrepreneurs representing three cohorts of participants graduated from Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses at Delgado Community College, bringing the total number of graduates to over 672 from the Greater New Orleans region.
This year marks the eight-year anniversary of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses partnership with Delgado Community College, dedicated to helping small businesses create jobs and economic opportunity. The graduates join more than 8,400 business owners who have benefited from the program nationally.
Education
SBP Offers Free Flood Training for Businesses and Employees
Disaster resilience and recovery nonprofit SBP is launching a new initiative in four at-risk communities to educate businesses and employees about the risks of flooding and provide actionable steps to ensure they are adequately protected against future flood hazards.
This free, short, interactive training is accessible online at SBPfloodprep.org and can easily be integrated into an organizations’ existing learning management system. The training is a tool for businesses to increase employee resilience, as a better prepared workforce has the ability return to work sooner with fewer distractions when their needs are taken care of. Organizations interested in implementing this training should contact training@sbpusa.org.
Tourism
Tourism Numbers Up Again
4.29%
increase in visitors 2017-2018 (18.51 million in 2018)
3.91%
increase in total visitor spending 2017-2018 ($.1 billion in 2018)
18.44%
increase in lodging spending 2017-2018 ($2.1 billion in 2018)
SOURCE: 2018 visitation study, commissioned by New Orleans & Company and the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC)
“This commonsense legislation will ensure that all of Louisiana’s hard-working citizens have access to ridesharing, whether it be as drivers or riders. We need Uber and Lyft across our state under a statewide plan, and I am thrilled that now more people will be able to earn money driving without confusion when crossing parish lines.”
Senator Sharon Hewitt (R-District 1) speaking after the Louisiana senate passed statewide ridesharing regulations (HB575) June 1 that replace the existing patchwork of local regulations.
Awards
Forbes Recognizes Valero Energy Corporation as one of “America’s Best Employers”
In its annual ranking, Forbes Magazine ranked Valero Energy Corporation as one of “America’s Best Employers 2019.” It is the highest-ranked independent refiner on the list. The San Antonio-based company operates a renewable diesel plant in Norco, Louisiana. Valero made the list of 500 top large companies with more than 5,000 U.S. employees based on anonymous surveys of employees across the country.
GRADUATION
NOCHI
The New Orleans Culinary and Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) held the commencement ceremony for its inaugural graduating class on June 14. James Beard Award semifinalist and chef/owner of Coquette Kristen Essig presented the keynote address. Graduates received either a culinary arts certificate or a baking and pastry certificate after completing programs that cover 26 subjects over 100 working days.
