NEW ORLEANS – The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority, the governing board of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, launched a new campaign aimed at small and emerging businesses (SEB).
The Small & Emerging Businesses initiative is a multifaceted program aimed at educating business owners about the benefits of becoming state certified as well as raising awareness about new business and economic opportunities at the Convention Center.
"Small business growth is central to the development of our state and local economy, and we are committed to providing local vendors with business opportunities," said Bonita Robertson, Small and Emerging Business Committee Chair, Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority. "We encourage the hiring of local vendors for the purchase of goods and services at every opportunity, and this expanded effort is designed to bring that message to an even broader cross section of the business community."
An SEB is defined as an individual or business domiciled in Louisiana, with no more than 50 employees, and annual gross receipts that do not exceed $5 million for non-construction and $10 million for construction companies.
Becoming a certified SEB is easy through Louisiana Economic Development's (LED) Hudson Initiative, a certification program designed to help eligible Louisiana small businesses gain greater access to purchasing and contracting opportunities. Qualified small businesses can maximize opportunities to provide goods and services for Louisiana's largest and most vibrant convention and hospitality venue.
"LED actively supports Louisiana's small businesses by providing them access to state government purchasing opportunities through the Hudson Initiative," LED Secretary Don Pierson said. "We encourage small business owners to become certified in the Hudson Initiative, so that we can increase the diversity of businesses who are participating in this important program. We're delighted that the New Orleans Convention Center is playing a leadership role in expanding these opportunities through their Small and Emerging Business initiative. Programs like these, along with LED's Veteran Initiative, LouisianaBusinessConnection.com and many others, are why Thumbtack recently awarded Louisiana a grade of A+ for small business friendliness."
For more information about the Convention Center's small and emerging business program or new business opportunities at the Center, visit https://exhallnola.com/. Businesses can also register to receive timely updates on future opportunities.