The $7 million contract is the largest ever awarded to a local small and emerging business (SEB).
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New Orleans, LA. – The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority (“Authority”) has awarded a $7 million contract to a certified Small Emerging Business (SEB) enterprise NANO Architecture, to design the Convention Center’s meeting rooms and public spaces.
“We embarked on a $557 million Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) in 2018 that includes facility upgrades, as well as modernizing the internal meeting spaces,” said Convention Center President, Michael J. Sawaya. “The Capital Improvement Plan has already delivered a 7.5-acre pedestrian park, and other major improvements are underway to modernize the interior of the Convention Center. This is a great next step toward the goal of a completely transformed meeting and event facility.”
The Convention Center emphasizes supporting local businesses, particularly small and emerging businesses (SEBs) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE). NANO Architecture participated in the Convention Center’s Small and Emerging Business program, receiving mentorship by partnering with Populous, Inc. – the world’s largest public facility design firms, which ultimately prepared the company to win a contract on their own.
“The selection of NANO Architecture marks the largest contract we have ever awarded to an SEB,” said Exhibition Hall Authority President, Jerry Reyes. “The Authority has been a champion of more active involvement of SEBs as a guiding principle for how business is done at the Convention Center. This contract actively aligns with that vision and is key to continuing the progress that has been seen in recent years.”
The awarding of a contract of this size is a key milestone for the Convention Center team, as they continue to work to support small and emerging businesses.
“We are honored to be selected by the Convention Center to work on this transformative project for the region,” said Terri Hogan Dreyer, managing partner of NANO Architecture. “Since our founding 20 years ago, we sought to bring the design standard of internationally renowned architectural firms back home to New Orleans in the form of a boutique, small business with a commitment to world-class design excellence. As a woman-owned business and certified state-local disadvantaged business enterprise (“DBE”), this project provides the opportunity for us to continue growing our company, and more importantly, showcase the talent of our team of professionals. We look forward to helping the Convention Center usher in a new era, continuing the legacy of being an anchor for our hospitality economy.”
About the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority
The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority’s (Authority) 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 the New Orleans Region. The Authority is composed of a 13-member board of commissioners, 10 appointed by the Governor of Louisiana, and three appointed by the Mayor of New Orleans. Since 1985, event activity at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has produced $90.1 billion in economic impact, including $5.7 billion in new tax revenue for state and local governments.
Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority 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 the New Orleans Region.
About the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
With 1.1 million square feet of prime exhibit space, in an entirely contiguous hall, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center provides the largest single exhibit space in the country, features an award-winning staff, first class amenities and is the sixth largest convention center in the nation. A leading contributor to the city’s robust tourism economy, the Convention Center’s event activity has produced $90.1 billion in economic impact since its 1985 opening, including $5.7 billion in new tax revenue for state and local governments.
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