NEW ORLEANS – As part of its commitment to sustainability and maintaining the facility’s LEED Gold certification, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is maximizing opportunities to reduce waste, divert materials from landfills and improve energy efficiency. During the first stage of an ongoing $557 million capital improvement plan—encompassing major interior renovations to meeting rooms and public spaces—the center diverted 84 percent of the waste produced (thereby surpassing its goal of 50 percent waste diversion). Between July and September 2023, the Convention Center diverted nearly 461,650 pounds of construction waste (of the roughly 550,000 pounds of construction waste that left the building). Additionally, the Convention Center recycled masonry, lights, scrap, cardboard and plastic, sending the materials to local vendors and recycling companies.
Here are more of this week’s top business headlines:
LCMC Health has launched its Keeping You Well program to help individuals make healthier choices while grocery shopping. The hospital system’s initiative introduces clear guidelines for identifying healthy food options (marked with stickers and shelf talkers), emphasizing nutritional components such as carbohydrates, protein, trans fat, added sugars, sodium, saturated fat, cholesterol and other key nutrients. LCMC Health’s first partnership with locally owned Langenstein’s marks a significant step in helping the community make healthier food choices.
This week, W New Orleans–French Quarter officially unveiled a multimillion dollar renovation to its 97 reimagined guest rooms and carriage houses. Part of a multiyear brand evolution, the renovation—led by Canadian design firm Chapi Chapo Design—boasts sophisticated, detail-driven design inspired by the Big Easy. Thoughtful touches include intricate textures and soothing tones reminiscent of the city’s bayous, French-style moldings, Spanish moss-inspired light sconces and custom-made floor lamps that project a backlit visual of an ornate bayou canopy onto the ceiling.
Also of note, the New Orleans Career Center has released its 2023 Impact Report. The center—which empowers locals to pursue fulfilling careers in five of the region’s strongest industries (healthcare, engineering, culinary arts and hospitality management, building trades and digital media)—experienced tremendous growth and trainee success last year. In addition to moving into its new, custom-designed building at 1331 Kerlerec St., NOCC welcomed its inaugural class of trainees working to become licensed practical nurses. Additionally, the center’s high school programs expanded to include building trades and digital media, and the NOCC team grew to 32 expert industry trainers and education leaders. In terms of student success, 100 percent of trainees in the culinary arts and hospitality management program earned dual credits from Nunez Community College. Additionally, 89 percent of those trainees earned Serv Safe and/or Guest Service Gold credentials (typically held by industry managers). This year, NOCC will be adding more training options for adults in the fields of HVAC, pharmacy tech and emergency medical services. For more, download the report.
