< PreviousCreate a Plan and Take Advantage of Networking, Relationships L et’s say that after several years of working in your dream job as a corporate meeting and event planner for a Fortune 500 company, you’ve started to recognize your desire to enhance your current role, or perhaps explore career oppor- tunities in a new company. But because you’ve been working diligently in your current role, you feel the need for some career development to make sure you stand out from the proverbial crowd and achieve your goals. Today’s time-pressed movers and shakers in the meetings and events arena have many goals in mind, but the problem professional corporate meeting planners face — besides a tough job market — is knowing where to begin in their career development and how to stay on track. Meeting planner Tracy Judge, MS, CMP, founder & CEO of Soundings Connect, a company created by meetings and events professionals for industry pros and companies that seek their services, points out that the future of the meetings and events industry is fluid. “To stay relevant in today’s workforce, meeting industry professionals need to be intentional about their career devel- opment and take a more integrated approach to professional development,” Judge says. “As we have seen over the last few years, the hard skills needed to do a job can change very quickly. Soft skills like problem-solving, creativity, communi- cation, adaptability and empathy help us manage change and are transferable to any job.” At Soundings Connect, they weigh soft skills and strengths the same as technical competency when looking to place meeting and event talent in freelance roles with cus- tomers. For instance, a person can have expert knowledge of an event technology platform, but if they cannot collaborate with a team or communicate effectively, their likelihood for success is low. Judge advises meeting and event planners to take a cus- tomized approach to their career development, keeping in mind that the career journey is no longer linear. Judge recom- mends meeting planners start by asking themselves the fol- lowing questions: What am I passionate about? What are my strengths/soft skills? What experience/hard skills do I have? What problems need to be solved today and in the future? “By answering these questions, planners can ideate and imagine where they see themselves in the future, and develop a customized career-development plan by incorporating experience, education, development of soft skills, mentor- ship and networking,” Judge says. Marissa Long, director, talent development for The Opus Group, a provider of global event experiences, says profes- sional development is important for everyone, but is espe- cially important for meeting and event planners, as it’s such a unique role that requires various skills and knowledge. “As planners, we often create an environment that facilitates learning and development opportunities for our attendees, and it’s easy to forget to carve out that same time for our own growth,” Long says. “Yet, we work in an industry that demands that we are ahead of the curve with trends, BY MAURA KELLER PLANNER TIPS // Career Counseling 40 December 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.comtechnology and health and safety needs. This is incredibly hard to do if we do not focus on our own development.” Long further points out that planners work in an industry that is always changing, and planners are striving to create something even better than the last experience they created. In addition, they feel the direct impact of all world events. “This means we are asking our teams to perfect their craft in an ever-changing environment. Meeting and event plan- ners must be flexible, resilient and able to problem solve in- the-moment, all while striving to exceed the expectations of their clients and attendees,” Long says. “To do all of this in an ever-changing environment, we must create a culture of learning and growth to succeed.” Techniques To Use Mark Herschberg, author of “The Career Toolkit: Essen- tial Skills for Success That No One Taught You,” agrees. “Suppose you have a really big event in six months, critical to the client’s success. Would you just wing it? Of course not. The best way to ensure success is to create and execute a plan. The same is true for our careers. If you don’t think you can successfully run an event in six months without a plan, how can you be successful in your career in six years with- out one?” Herschberg says. “Just as with event planning, the event itself will never go off exactly as planned, so, too will your career plan never quite work out as planned on paper — and that’s OK. As with events, planning alone may not guar- antee success, but lack of a plan invites failure.” According to Herschberg, career development for meet- ing and event planners begins with understanding your goals. Is there a role you want in the future? It doesn’t have to be a specific title, but could be a set of responsibilities or type of work. If you’re not yet sure, start by asking yourself a series of questions about your career plans. “Once you know the desired goal, compare your current skills and experience to what is needed to qualify for that role,” Herschberg says. “You can then plan intermediate steps to build up your qualifications. This could be tasks and experiences in your current role, or intermediary roles to get you to your dream job.” Herschberg further points out that, just like your event’s project plan isn’t written once, but is adjusted as you go, so too do you need to review and revise your career plan. “Right now, you can create a calendar event in your phone labeled ‘Update Career Plan’ and set it as recurring every three or six months. Now, you have a regular reminder to spend 30 minutes a few times a year to be intentional about your career plan.” As with any role in the business arena, it pays to stay connected to others in the industry by attending network- ing events or connecting with constituents on LinkedIn, and industry groups and associations. As Judge explains, industry involvement has been critical to her career growth from both an education and networking standpoint. “Interacting with your peers in person and through online channels will give you more clarity on which way you should grow and enhance Courtesy of Tracy Judge Meeting planners should seek chances to boost their soft skills as well as their hard skills. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | December 2022 41your ability to elevate your career,” Judge says. So, what are some key career-development tools meet- ing industry experts would recommend planners consider? “The online assessment tool CliftonStrengths is based on the theory that we will be happier and more productive if we leverage our top five strengths in the workplace,” Judge says. “Planners wear many hats, and will strive to accom- plish whatever needs to be done. Just because we are good at something, does not mean we are contributing at our high- est value. By focusing on your strengths first, you can uncover strengths you may not be currently leveraging in the work- place and start designing a career path that brings you more fulfillment and success.” Herschberg also advises corporate event planners to cre- ate a diverse network. Certainly, get to know meeting plan- ners and others in your industry, but don’t just limit your- self to people in your own field. “Meeting planners have a great advantage in that you can meet lots of diverse people at your events. Simply walk up and intro- duce yourself as one of the orga- nizers and talk to them,” Herschberg says. “You can ask what brought them to the event, what they like or don’t like, or things they’d like to see in the future. That’s the ice breaker, and from there, you can then get to know them and build a relationship. And remember that LinkedIn is no more net- working than an old school address book is. Networking is about building relationships. The address book, and modern versions like social media, makes it easier to keep in touch, but it’s the keeping in touch and relationship building that is the essence of networking.” Of course, one of the best things you can do is talk to other people about their careers. Ask them what do they like about it, or not like about it? Or ask what do they wish they knew earlier? “What advice would they give someone getting into the field? The more points of view you get, the more information you have to think through your own career,” Herschberg says. Joining Groups is Great According to Elizabeth Sherry, director of development and strategic partnerships at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, it’s easy to forget to be involved and enhance your career when the grind has been immense for every- one over the last 30 months. “Thankfully, the meeting and event industry has a well- connected network. Planners are so for- tunate to have access to associations like Meeting Professionals International (MPI), National Association for Catering and Events (NACE), International Live Events Association (ILEA), Twin Cities Wed- ding & Event Professionals (TCWEP), all which offer developed education and certi- fications or the opportunity to continue to build your network.” She continues, “Professional develop- ment through accreditation and volunteer- ing is not only easy to access, but expected. And as much as we are all friends in the industry, enhancing your professional and career development is a key way to have a leg up on your competition for coveted positions. I think it is essential that a planner keeps their finger on the pulse of the industry. It is easy to get preoccupied with the grind,” she says. “But to elevate your meetings and events career is to know folks in your network and the temperature of the industry. This is found at industry events, whether they have an educational topic or is just a networking function. All are playgrounds for collaboration and opportunities to gain knowledge.” Sherry points to a couple of different avenues that can be explored to enhance your career and professional develop- ment. You have the option to add the alphabet soup behind your name such as CMP, CMM, CSEP, etc. by going through Courtesy of Elizabeth Sherry It’s no secret: The No. 1 way to boost your career is networking to create relationships. 42 December 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com Just as with event planning, the event itself will never go off exactly as planned, so, too will your career plan never quite work out as planned on paper — and that’s OK. MARK HERSCHBERG, Author of “The Career Toolkit: Essential Skills for Success That No One Taught You”courses to add to your industry know-how and add validity to your name and experience. “You can volunteer and be on a board of directors. Or you can participate in leadership or mentorship pro- grams to become a part of a cohort of like-minded individu- als,” Sherry says. But, overall, Sherry thinks the best industry tool meet- ing and event planners have access to is a simple hand- shake. Being able to meet people in person, learn from each other, collaborate with competitors on what works and what doesn’t, is the best tool in a planner’s tool box. “During the pandemic, like so many things were, this was disrupted and not easy to replace. But ‘just’ meeting folks in person is not enough, there needs to be the follow-up,” Sherry says. “And those great follow-up tools are LinkedIn, other relevant social media pages, being on top of email and using calendar tools like doodle or Calendly to schedule follow-up meetings.” Long also stresses that it’s important for career develop- ment to have a multifaceted approach. Development plans should include opportunities to take courses that expand knowledge, time to connect with other professionals in the field and learn from their experiences, and opportunities to receive performance coaching. Career development plans should be future-focused tools to reach professional goals. At Opus, they offer a variety of courses in leadership and relationship skills. They want to empower teams with the abil- ity to navigate any situation, and collaborate both internally with teams and externally with clients and vendor partners. “We also offer internal opportunities for our team to grow in their understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion, not only for our own culture, but to enhance the work that we produce,” Long says. “We are creating experiences that need to both represent our client’s culture and create a sense of inclusion and belonging for their communities. We also offer wellness workshops to help our team learn strategies to cre- ate a work-life blend that works for them, which is always a challenge in an industry like ours that often requires non- traditional working hours.” Continuous Improvement The biggest mistakes Judge sees planners make are underestimating their abilities, devaluing their experience and looking at their career path as linear. “Do not get boxed in on what jobs are available or what the next career step should be,” Judge says. “Be creative and pitch the role you want and take the path you choose.” Another mistake Herschberg points to is meeting plan- ners just focusing on building a network of people only in their field. “You might think, ‘Why would I need to network with a doctor?’ That doctor may join a hospital or medical practice that down the road will run events. She’s going to know lots of other doctors from her work, but how many event plan- ners do you think she knows?” Another common mistake is thinking that a career plan must be well defined or set in stone. “If you have a major con- ference in a year, you don’t know what exactly you’ll be doing on day 273 — and that’s OK,” Herschberg says. “You should be clear on what you need to be doing the next few weeks, and have some placeholders in the plan for months further out. Those future months will get clearer as you get closer to them and can be filled in with more details. The same is true for your career plan. Don’t worry about not having enough details or that it may change. The only mistake is to not plan in the first place.” Looking ahead, Judge expects individuals within the meetings and events industry to take more responsibil- ity for their own career development as opposed to relying on their employers. Communities will become the foun- dation for career development, offering members access to relevant education, industry relationships and mentor- ship. Modular learning will become a necessity to manage the pace of change, replacing traditional certification pro- grams and courses. Sherry thinks career development tools will evolve in a way where it is easier to stay connected. However, the more technology enhances, the easier it is to think that meeting virtually, or following someone’s updates, is the same as what an in-person connection creates. “There is nothing that replaces a good old-fashioned handshake and sitting down with someone to collaborate,” Sherry says. And because many planners may only work on a select number of events in a year, any opportunity for them to experience an event they aren’t in charge of is a really good use of time. “We all need time to foster our creativity and keep up with industry trends. Our work provides connec- tion opportunities for our clients, and it’s important for our development to make sure we also create space for our own growth,” Long says. “Getting involved with industry events and professional associations, attending networking events, or even subscribing to newsletters or podcasts that offer insights from a variety of business leaders can contribute to personal growth.” C&IT Courtesy of Marissa Long Continued training shows potential employers that you are willing to take the extra step. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | December 2022 43A fter two-plus years of a global pan- demic, event attendees are looking to be engaged in and inspired by the cit- ies they visit. New Orleans is famously known as the home of the Mardi Gras festival, but also is a cultural hot bed for food, music and culture 365 days a year, making it an attractive city to host any event. First and foremost, people come to New Orleans to have a good time. Even outside of Mardi Gras season, there’s always a party, festival or celebration. Michael J. Sawaya, president of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC), notes New Orleans attracts people from all over the world. “Our history, culture, cuisine, music and festivals are just a few of the things that give the city its time-tested mag- netism,” he says. “New Orleans is ‘Built to Host,’ with world-class accommodations, premier event spaces and a one-of-kind culture.” One can head to the French Quarter and look at the quaint hotels and restaurants for an easy-going day, or listen to great jazz on Bourbon Street. “New Orleans is small and has a ton of bars and nightlife, but also has great upscale restaurants,” says Rhonda Bentzen, who has served as a coordinator on the board of an organiza- tion for more than a decade that has held many of their annual conferences in New Orleans. “I have hosted meetings at The Ritz, as well as Wind- sor Court, both upscale properties and in the midst of ‘the action,’” she says. “Most people attend conferences for the social opportunities, thus being in the center of things with boundless restaurant opportunities does well. New Orleans is also easy and economical for most people across the country to get to.” Francesca Vereb, recent V.P. of marketing for Cvent, notes, as many have discovered, New Orleans is a top tourism hub, as well as a great site for hosting meetings New Orleans LOUISIANA An Easy Choice for Meeting Planners and Attendees BY KEITH LORIA Photo by Justen Williams 44 December 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com DESTINATION REPORT and events, both large and small. “With planners today looking to deliver more unique and experiential events for their attendees, New Orleans has a rich culture, which can be found in the city’s vibrant downtown area and its iconic French Quarter,” she says. “There are more than 22,000 hotel rooms concentrated in this area alone. Because of the hotels’ proximity, there are many that allow conference attendees to easily enjoy and explore city attractions while they’re in town for business.” Year-round, when conference attendees aren’t in meet- ings, they can enjoy a unique-to-New Orleans shopping experience on Magazine Street offering a robust selection of locally owned boutiques. Meanwhile, art-enthusiasts can enjoy the Warehouse District, home to dozens of art galleries, cafes and bars. Then, in the evenings, conference- goers can head to places such as Harrah’s New Orleans — the city’s only land-based gaming establishment — which is conveniently located within walking distance from the NOENMCC. Not to mention Bourbon Street, which is of course known worldwide for its vibrant nightlife. “Attendees can have completely different experiences depending on the unique city backdrop in which an event takes place,” Vereb says. “New Orleans is no exception. The city is famous for a culture that can’t be found else- where in the country. It’s an environment where jazz music, authentic Cajun food and a vibrant nightlife scene form the backdrop to events taking place all over the city. ‘The Big Easy’ is an exciting place to be.” Thomas Samuels, president of Cardinal Expo, a full- service trade show and exhibit services company head- quartered in New Orleans, notes the city is a great desti- nation for event attendees because they can get incred- ible food all day long, have plenty to do outside of meet- ings, and easily get around the city. Photo by Justen Williams Photo by Justen Williams New Orleans offers a blend of history, culture, cuisine and music that attracts planners and attendees alike. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | December 2022 45“The most popular area for tourists is the French Quarter, where you can grab coffee and beignets from Café Du Monde in the morning before head- ing to your meeting, and find plenty of restaurants for lunch and dinner,” he says. “Visitors can walk around Jackson Square and see the painters and street performers, check out the St. Louis Cathedral, and take a tour in a mule- drawn carriage.” In the evening, attendees can browse the shops — including voodoo shops — in the Quarter and visit art galleries on Royal Street, then later in the evening, get drinks on Bourbon Street or listen to live jazz on Frenchmen Street. They can also walk along the Mississippi Riverwalk, take a cruise on the Steamboat Natchez, or visit the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. “If you want to venture outside the French Quarter, there are streetcars and buses that provide public transportation,” Samuels says. “We have a number of incredible museums, including the World War II Museum, for those who like his- tory. For visitors who want to get in nature, we have City Park with numerous attractions, places to kayak and even swamp tours a short drive away.” Samuels notes there are food festivals throughout the year, such as the Oak Street Po-Boy Preservation Festival; the Louisiana Seafood Festival; the Fried Chicken Festival; the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival; the Treme Creole Gumbo Festival; the French Market Creole Tomato Festival; and the Boudin, Bourbon, & Beer festival. During the holi- days, there’s the Celebration in the Oaks. For event planners, this makes it easy to offer an incredible visit any time of year. Where to Host There is also no shortage of meeting spaces in New Orleans, with many clustered in the downtown area. Perhaps the most well-known convention center in the city is the aforementioned NOENMCC, the sixth-largest convention center in the country. The facility has undergone extensive restoration work and renovation updates, providing event planners with state-of-the-art amenities, including lighting and video and audio production technological features. Sawaya notes NOENMCC offers the epitome of the home- town hospitality and profession- alism you can only get in New Orleans. Drawing on the vital- ity of such a captivating setting, the NOENMCC is also stepping up its game, with major renovations designed to boost event bookings and improve the visitor experience. “As part of our five-year $557-million capital improve- ment plan, we’ve completed several projects — including a 7-acre pedestrian park with more than 200 trees — and we’re working on more upgrades and renovations that will enhance the way our facility looks, feels and functions,” Sawaya says. “There’s also another big project underway in our conven- tion center district. In partnership with … RDNI Investors, the NOENMCC plans to break ground on a new 39-acre mixed-use development, adjacent to the Convention Center, that will revitalize the riverfront as a hub of commerce.” The property is set to include new dining, retail, housing and entertainment options. The new pedestrian park spans the length of the building, and features interactive water ele- ments, live event spaces, public art installations and shaded gathering places. “Many groups have enjoyed using the cov- ered porches for after-hours receptions, and we’ve received fantastic feedback from attendees,” Sawaya says. “It has been called one of the very best arrival experiences at a convention center anywhere in the country.” The NOENMCC’s riverfront location gives visitors great access to the Warehouse Arts District, replete with hotels, restaurants, shops, art galleries, world-class museums, such Courtesy of Michael Sawaya The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is LEED-certified, Gold. 46 December 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com BOOK YOUR MEETING IN NEW ORLEANS © 2022 New Orleans & Company All Rights Reserved. NewOrleans.com | @VisitNewOrleans Here, our musicians give the city its sound with every breath. The voices and instruments of brass and soul, jazz and funk, are what makes New Orleans Built to Host. They fill our meeting spaces, venues, street corners, and festival stages, all while preserving our rich cultural history and wel- coming your group with a soundtrack you’ll never forget. Call the New Orleans & Company Convention Sales Team at 877.393.5836 email at cnvsales@neworleans.com or visit neworleans.com/meetings to find out how you can incorporate this world-class entertainment into your next event. It has been called one of the very best arrival experiences at a convention center anywhere in the country. MICHAEL J. SAWAYA, President, The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC)BOOK YOUR MEETING IN NEW ORLEANS © 2022 New Orleans & Company All Rights Reserved. NewOrleans.com | @VisitNewOrleans Here, our musicians give the city its sound with every breath. The voices and instruments of brass and soul, jazz and funk, are what makes New Orleans Built to Host. They fill our meeting spaces, venues, street corners, and festival stages, all while preserving our rich cultural history and wel- coming your group with a soundtrack you’ll never forget. Call the New Orleans & Company Convention Sales Team at 877.393.5836 email at cnvsales@neworleans.com or visit neworleans.com/meetings to find out how you can incorporate this world-class entertainment into your next event.as the National World War II museum, music venues and the world-renowned French Quarter. “Convention attendees who are sports fans can easily enjoy a New Orleans Saints [National Football League] game or New Orleans Pelicans [National Basketball Association] game, while the theater-going crowd catches a show at the Saenger Theatre or enjoys our robust community-theater scene,” Sawaya says. “The fact that New Orleans is a popular vacation destination makes it ideal for convention attendees who like to add a bit of lagniappe [a little something extra] to the beginning or end of a business trip.” But there’s more than the NOENMCC for meeting plan- ners to choose. The recently redesigned JW Marriott New Orleans welcomes meetings at its historic French Quarter hotel, offering 505 guest rooms and 23,313 sf of meeting and event space, large enough for seating of up to 750 attendees. Then there’s Smoothie King Center — where the Pelicans play — offering 21,250 sf of space and flexible seating configu- rations for up to 18,000; The Caesars Superdome, which offers more than 162,000 sf of floor space; plus countless restaurants and hotels that offer meeting space for groups and events. Successful Conventions Just recently, New Orleans was the site of an international event, XeroCon 2022, hosted by the global small-business and software vending company Xero, where more than 1,000 professionals were able to gather to share ideas, discuss new technologies, and reconnect after the event was paused due to the pandemic. “Throughout the duration of the conference, the event organizers worked closely with local representatives to ensure the event attendees were able to truly experience all that New Orleans has to offer,” Vereb says. “And in September, more than 18,000 members of the National Baptist Convention convened in the city. The current list of events and conventions coming to the city helps illustrate that New Orleans appeals to groups of all size — attendee counts range from 13 to 23,000.” More recently, the NOENMCC hosted a conference for more than 18,000 water environment professionals, and the following week it welcomed more than 15,000 anesthesiol- ogy specialists. “[Coming soon], the nationally acclaimed light festival, LUNA Fête, will return, making good use of our new covered porch areas and pedestrian park, followed by our favorite holiday event for locals and visitors — NOLA ChristmasFest,” Sawaya says. “Returning for its ninth year, NOLA Christmas- Fest is an indoor holiday extravaganza with 300,000 sf of rides and a real ice rink. This dazzling, family-friendly sea- sonal event is the perfect opportunity to get into the holiday spirit and spread a little cheer.” Hosting an event or convention in a well-known city like New Orleans can not only increase the number of attendees, but also improve ROE, or “Return on Experience.” “Opti- mizing ROE also means that planners must strive to balance both attendance quantity and quality; it’s not just about how large a crowd is, but also about ensuring that the right audience is there,” Vereb says. “Plus, ‘bleisure’ — the combination of business travel with a leisure component — prevails post-pandemic, and should be top of mind for planners and event organizers.” More to Love in Louisiana Baton Rouge has a plethora of interesting meeting spaces, including The Cook Hotel and Conference Center at Louisi- ana State University (LSU), which boasts 11,000 sf of meet- ing space encompassing nine conference rooms and banquet halls featuring the latest A/V technology. Meanwhile, the Ashley Manor Reception & Conference Center, set on 4.5 acres, can accommodate up to 500 attendees and features two banquet rooms. Baton Rouge also offers its own culture, complete with music, food and plenty of local history. Courtesy of Visit Baton Rouge 48 December 2022 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com The most popular area for tourists is the French Quarter, where you can grab coffee and beignets from Café Du Monde in the morning before heading to your meeting, and find plenty of restaurants for lunch and dinner. THOMAS SAMUELS, President of Cardinal ExpoDowntown convention hotels include Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center, which offers 16 meeting rooms and 34,000 sf of space; and the Raising Cane’s River Center complex, which features a 30,000-sf arena, two exhibition halls total- ing 70,000 sf, and 21 meeting rooms totaling nearly 19,000 sf. Further up in the northwest corner of Louisiana, the Shreveport-Bossier area may be less well-known than New Orleans, but it is a popular place for foodies, music lovers and gamblers, with six casinos in the area. The top meeting place in the area is the 350,000-sf Shreveport Convention Center, which can accommodate large expos, state and national association annual meet-ups, corporate events, religious conferences, board meetings and sports events. It also has a 10,545-seat theater. Looking Up After the Pandemic Like the rest of the country, New Orleans halted in-per- son events during the pandemic. For the better parts of 2020 and 2021, events have been largely virtual or had strict health and safety guidelines. However, more recently, interest in the city has been bouncing back. Through the first half of 2022, RFP volume to New Orleans through the Cvent Supplier Net- work was up nearly 150% year-over-year, and leaning into hosting larger events. In fact, city officials recently met to update a pre-pan- demic study to help map out a more than 600-room conven- tion center headquarters hotel to help the city compete with other top convention destinations. When pandemic lockdowns put a hold on in-person events, NOENMCC switched gears, using the downtime to make major facility upgrades, including investments to reduce its environmental footprint. “We also took it as an opportunity to focus on develop- ing our small and emerging business programs, to find new ways to bring in more minority and women-owned busi- nesses, giving local small businesses more opportunities to prosper and grow alongside us,” Sawaya says. “But becoming more inclusive, diverse and sustainable is more than just the right thing to do. It’s also making us more competitive in the national event and meeting marketplace.” As things are getting back to normal post-pandemic, business is strong. In the last quarter of 2022, the Convention Center will bring almost 185,150 visitors to New Orleans, who will stay an average of 4.9 days and spend an average of $1,034 each, representing more than $191 million in direct spending. “By the end of 2022, we expect business and attendance to be on par with pre-pandemic levels,” Sawaya says. “It’s an exciting time for the Convention Center and for the city as we strive to enhance and elevate New Orleans’ status as a destination and a place to do business.” Unique Venues to Explore The Cabildo is considered one of the most historically sig- nificant buildings in the U.S. Built between 1795 and 1799 to replace a structure that burned in the 1794 fire, the Cabildo served as the seat of government in New Orleans during the Spanish colonial period. Located on Jackson Square in the historic French Quarter, the museum continues to showcase the rich and colorful history of New Orleans and Louisiana. The Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis King of France — better known as the St. Louis Cathedral — is the oldest Catholic cathedral in the U.S., having been built in the early 18th century. Still in use today, the church is open to visitors, and the site regularly holds free concerts at the nearby Catholic Cultural Heritage Center. Being below sea level presented big problems for the people of New Orleans when it came time to burying the dead, which is why there are numerous historic cemeteries throughout the city, where the departed are entombed in elaborate marble chambers above ground. Lafayette Ceme- tery is the oldest of the seven municipal, city-operated cem- eteries and houses immigrants from more than 25 different countries and natives of 26 states. An event can often be considered successful only when attendees feel like they’ve learned something new, and their experience was valuable and unforgettable. And achieving just that is what many planners are working toward. New Orleans certainly has the right offerings to provide attendees with experiences that will be memorable for them long after the event ends. C&IT Courtesy of Michael Sawaya New Orleans offers attendees the opportunity to experience a truly memorable event. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | December 2022 49Next >