Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority Chairman Inducted Into Louisiana Restaurant Association Hall Of Fame

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Melvin Rodrigue, chairman of the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority (Authority), the governing board of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, was recently inducted to the Louisiana Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. Rodrigue, a philanthropist and advocate for the City of New Orleans, is also the president and CEO of Galatoire’s, one of the most acclaimed restaurants in New Orleans.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association Hall of Fame recognizes those who have exhibited extraordinary dedication to the restaurant industry. As a member of the Authority, Rodrigue spearheaded efforts to establish NOCHI, the New Orleans Culinary and Hospitality Institute. Under Rodrigue’s leadership, the Authority made a $12 million investment into the school, purchasing its eventual headquarters, with the goal of training the next generation of food and hospitality professionals in New Orleans. The school features two culinary teaching labs, two baking and pastry labs, a restaurant lab, a beverage lab, a large event center including a production kitchen, and traditional classrooms.

Rodrigue is the founder of The Galatoire Foundation, a non-profit organization which serves as a way for his restaurant to give back to the community. Established in 2010, the foundation facilitates numerous community activities and donation drives, including a twice-annual fundraiser that has raised more than $2.2 million for the people of New Orleans.

However, Rodrigue’s commitment to the city of New Orleans goes far beyond his already distinguished career in the Restaurant industry. As a member of the Authority, he helped contribute more than $100 million to improving the infrastructure of New Orleans. From crime prevention cameras throughout the city to increased funding for the sewer and water board, Rodrigue has been at the forefront of discussions and major legislation changes that has allowed for increased investment in the city’s critical infrastructure

Melvin Rodrigue (Left), Chairman, Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority, accepting his induction into the LRA Hall of Fame from Paul Rotner (Right), 2019 Chair of the Louisiana Restaurant Association
(Click for High Res Image)

Melvin Rodrigue (Left), Chairman, Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority, after accepting his induction into the LRA Hall of Fame from Paul Rotner (Right), 2019 Chair of the Louisiana Restaurant Association
(Click for High Res Image)

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. The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center features an award winning staff and first class amenities, and is the sixth largest convention center in the nation.  A consistent Top 10 host of the largest conventions and tradeshows in the nation annually, the Convention Center is also one of the city’s “Top Workplaces.” 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.

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 New Orleans Region. 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. Since 1985, event activity at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center 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.