Trade Show News

A recent Louisiana Economic Forecast projects New Orleans to add 6,200 jobs by 2028, but notes that convention business is expected to remain weak. This weakness in the convention sector contributes to New Orleans ranking ninth among ten metro areas in job growth.

New Orleans & Company confirmed that hotel and hospitality investments in the metro area have exceeded $1 billion, encompassing new hotels, renovations, and convention-focused projects. Key projects include the planned $600 million Omni headquarters hotel and the reopening of the Fairmont New Orleans with 19,000 square feet of meeting space.

New Orleans & Company has confirmed that hotel and hospitality investments in the metro area have surpassed $1 billion, including new hotels, renovations, and convention-focused projects. This extensive private-sector investment, particularly the planned $600 million Omni headquarters hotel and the reopening of the Fairmont New Orleans, is reshaping the downtown and convention districts.

New Orleans & Company confirmed that hotel and hospitality investments in the New Orleans metro area have surpassed $1 billion, including new hotels, renovations, and convention-focused projects. A significant portion is directed towards a planned $600 million Omni headquarters hotel adjacent to the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

New Orleans experiences significant spikes in hotel rates during its convention season, with October reaching $228 per night, comparable to its Mardi Gras peak in February. This trend highlights the substantial economic impact of conventions on the city's hospitality industry.

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) received two 2026 honors, being named an 'Empowering Women' honoree for the fourth consecutive year and earning a Distinctive Achievement Award. These accolades recognize the center's workplace leadership and its exceptional service to the meetings and events industry. Women hold half of NOENMCC's management positions, demonstrating a commitment to developing women leaders.

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) has received two 2026 honors: being named an 'Empowering Women' honoree by New Orleans CityBusiness for the fourth consecutive year and a 'Distinctive Achievement Award' from Association Conventions & Facilities magazine. Women hold half of NOENMCC's management positions, reflecting their commitment to developing women leaders.

Encore Global is seeking an Event Operations Director for the New Orleans Marriott, indicating ongoing hiring and operational needs within the city's hospitality sector supporting conventions. The role involves supervising staff, ensuring customer service, and managing event setups.

Alita Caparotta, Chief Administrative Officer, and Elaine Williams, Chief Commercial Officer of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, were recognized on New Orleans Magazine's Women of Impact list and Smart Meetings Magazine's Smart Women in Meetings Innovator list, respectively.

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center received two 2026 honors, including being named an Empowering Women honoree by New Orleans CityBusiness for the fourth consecutive year and a 2026 Distinctive Achievement Award from Association Conventions & Facilities magazine. The center also earned Silver in the Stella Awards for Best Convention Center.

Rotoplas 2026, a professional event focused on the Plastics Industry, is scheduled from November 17 to 19, 2026, at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Organized by the Association of Rotational Molders (ARM), the event aims to foster knowledge sharing, business development, and collaboration among stakeholders.

Haag-Streit USA and Marco Lombart announced the U.S. launch of the Octopus 910, a full-field projection perimeter, at AAO 2026. The event is taking place from October 10 to 12, 2026, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Visitors can experience the new device at designated booths during the expo.

Haag-Streit USA and Marco Lombart announced the U.S. launch of the Octopus 910, a full-field projection perimeter, at AAO 2026. The device will make its debut at the AAO 2026 expo, taking place from October 10 to 12, 2026, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Visitors can experience the Octopus 910 at booths 707 and 3319.

The 2027 Halloween & Party Expo, North America's only trade event dedicated to Halloween, party, costume, and celebration products, will be held from January 11-13, 2027, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. The expo brings together manufacturers, retailers, buyers, and industry professionals to discover new products, build business relationships, and prepare for the upcoming season. The event will also announce the 2026 Spooky Awards winners.

Rotoplas 2026, a professional event focused on the Plastics Industry, is scheduled from November 17 to 19, 2026, at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The event is designed for industry professionals, exhibitors, and service providers to explore products, services, market trends, and networking opportunities related to rotational molding and plastic manufacturing. The Convention Center is highlighted as a world-class venue supporting large-scale international conventions.

The Fairmont New Orleans is set to open on November 2, bringing 250 guest rooms and 19,000 square feet of meeting and event space across nine venues to the Central Business District. Located 1.5 miles from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, this luxury hotel will contribute to the city's meetings infrastructure.

The Louisiana Civil Rights Museum officially opened its doors on October 7, 2026, inside the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. This 5,000-square-foot exhibit features multimedia videos, oral histories, and a Dreamcube, immersing visitors in significant moments of Civil Rights history.

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) received two 2026 honors: New Orleans CityBusiness selected it as an Empowering Women honoree for the fourth consecutive year, and Association Conventions & Facilities magazine awarded it a Distinctive Achievement Award. Women hold half of NOENMCC's management positions, including leadership roles across various departments.

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has been awarded a Silver Stella Award in 2026 for Best Convention Center. The recognition highlights the center's 1.1 million square feet of exhibit space, LEED Gold certifications, and ongoing efforts in energy efficiency and sustainability.

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center received a Silver Stella Award in the "Best Convention Center" category for 2026. The center is recognized for its 1.1 million square feet of contiguous exhibit space, over 3 million square feet of overall event space, and its two LEED Gold certifications.