Lagniappe at the Big Easy’s Biggest Venue
Louisiana locals define “lagniappe” as a little something extra – a unique gift that put the exclamation point on an event or transaction.
Well, true to the spirit of New Orleans – the place that invented lagniappe – the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center offers a mixture of energy, character and vivacity that makes this Big Easy landmark one of the most popular meeting and convention destinations in the U.S.
This colossal venue boasts 1.1 million square feet exhibit space, 140 meeting rooms, two 30,000-square-foot ballrooms and a 4,000-seat theater, all under one roof. It is the sixth largest convention center in the nation and a consistent Top 10 host of the largest number of conventions and tradeshows annually.
Need more proof? In the recently released PCMA Annual Meeting Survey, the Morial Convention Center received rave reviews – an overwhelming 95% of respondents gave high marks to the center’s facilities and services. Perhaps these accolades are due to the fact that the Morial Convention Center is always reinventing itself and improving its already stellar reputation.
In 2006, the center underwent a massive $60 million interior makeover, and the facility recently completed yet another round of upgrades. The over $7 million in improvements included extensive landscaping, new digital large-screen audio/video information systems and furniture pods in the pre-function areas. In the past 12 months, the facility has transformed itself to have more of a “hotel attitude” in both form and function, so attendees have space to gather, network and relax. The Morial Convention Center has also re-purposed pay phone bays into “I-Cove” stations where attendees can connect their laptops to the internet and/or or re-charge electronic devices.
An additional $12 million in aesthetic, technological and functional upgrades are planned for 2009, focusing on ballroom renovation, way-finding upgrades, a plush new executive lounge and establishing a 10 GB internet backbone facility-wide.
“The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is an extremely flexible facility,” says President/General Manager Bob Johnson. “Our 12 exhibit halls and 140 meeting rooms can be divided up into an infinite number of configurations depending on your meeting needs. We’re within walking distance of 20,000 hotel rooms, including 3,000 in the immediate vicinity of the Convention Center, meeting every level of budgetary needs. The Convention Center is also within close proximity of the French Quarter’s world-class restaurants and attractions. Our 250 experienced staff members have 1,834 combined years of experience and are ready to ensure that every aspect of your event is perfect.”
Visitors will be greeted with the legendary warmth and Southern hospitality that has become synonymous with New Orleans. The Morial Center recently added a team of greeters called Fleur de Lis Ambassadors in vivid purple blazers who will be stationed throughout the lobby to greet visitors upon arrival and direct them to registration desks and meeting rooms in the sprawling 3.1 million square foot facility.
The Morial Convention Center embodies the “Big Easy” feel of New Orleans; meeting and convention attendees are constantly reminded where they are and what this unique city has to offer visitors. For example, at major events the lobby is sprinkled with mimes, jugglers and stilt walkers from the streets of New Orleans, and the new decorative banners that were recently installed throughout the lobby feature iconic New Orleans images of art, music, food and other symbols of local culture.
With its state-of-the-art amenities and vast resources set against the backdrop of the food, music, people and history of New Orleans, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is a truly unique venue for any size or type of group that wants to hold an unforgettable meeting or event.
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