ABOUT

THE AUTHORITY

The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority (the Authority), the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s governing board, was created by the Louisiana State Legislature in 1978 for the purpose of constructing and operating convention facilities in New Orleans.

The Authority is composed of a 13-member board of commissioners, ten appointed by the Governor of Louisiana, and three appointed by the Mayor of New Orleans. The gubernatorial appointees serve at the pleasure of the Governor, while the Mayor’s appointees serve four-year terms.

In the 40+ years since its creation, past boards of the Authority have spearheaded three phases of convention center construction with more than 30 years of successful operations are responsible for over $90 billion in economic impact.

In 2018, the Convention Center embarked on a $557 million Capital Improvement Plan that includes the development of 39 acres originally acquired for an expansion. Studies determined that developing the land into a new live, work, and play neighborhood would make the destination more competitive, satisfying visitors and event attendees seeking different experiences. The Capital Improvement Plan has already delivered numerous changes to the facility, including a 7.5-acre pedestrian park that features interactive water elements, live event spaces, public art installations, and shaded gathering places. The Convention Center also updated critical water and electrical infrastructure, including the renovation of all 35 of its public restrooms. Interior modernizations, including renovations of the Center’s lobbies and its 140 meeting rooms, are currently underway.

Mission Statement
The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority’s exclusive mission is to finance, construct and operate facilities in order to attract and conduct conventions, trade shows and other events that support and expand the economy of both the State of Louisiana and New Orleans Region.

LETTER FROM THE

AUTHORITY

Thank you for your interest in the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). On behalf of the entire Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority (“Authority”), we are excited for the continued progress of the Convention Center CIP, and what these improvements will do for the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana.

As the governing body of the sixth largest convention center in the nation, our primary goal is to attract, facilitate, and deliver events that support and expand the economy of our City and the State.

This CIP will bring prosperity and positive change to local businesses and residents while also making New Orleans even more appealing to national and regional event organizers and attendees. Just as the Convention Center fuels commerce and growth for the city and for local businesses, New Orleans’ unmistakable culture, world-famous cuisine and vibrant music scene all play a major role in attracting the visitors and events that help power our organization’s continued evolution.

In a city steeped in history, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is charting a path toward a bright future for our region and the State of Louisiana.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

INTRODUCTION

An exciting transformation is taking place which will revitalize the Convention Center district, bringing new entertainment, dining, arts and cultural opportunities to residents and visitors alike.

CONVENTION CENTER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Project Description: A 47-acre mixed-use development anchored by a 1,200 room convention headquarters hotel, a linear park connecting the French Quarter, CBD, and Warehouse District, a multi-modal transportation hub, and a demand-based expansion of the Convention Center event space.

An independent economist, reporting the project to be the largest public/private development in the City’s history, forecasted Phase I (retail/residential/entertainment) to have these impacts:

Construction

$3.5 billion direct & indirect spending
27,697 jobs
$71 million state taxes
$14 million city taxes

Annual Operational Impact

$967 million direct spending
$588 million secondary spending
14,378 jobs
$70 million state taxes
$50 million city taxes
$45 million other local taxes

All of the Center’s traditional competitors, including Chicago, Orlando, Atlanta, Las Vegas, and San Francisco have major visitor infrastructure developments underway or planned, and New Orleans will soon be at a competitive disadvantage.

New destinations are now a part of New Orleans competitive set with major visitor infrastructure developments underway or planned. (Austin, Nashville, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Anaheim, San Diego, Denver)

These projects will provide an infinitely better experience for visitors, convention attendees, cruise passengers, and residents.

They will also deliver long sought after additional access to the Mississippi River for visitors and residents alike.

New generations demand conventions to be more experiential, as the linear park has provided, allowing New Orleans to continue to compete.

The project will also help attract and accommodate the additional 4 million new visitors called for in the Tourism Master Plan.

In a city steeped in history, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is charting a path toward a bright future for our region and the State of Louisiana.

Russ Allen, President of the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority