With 2015 in our rearview window, we’re taking a moment to reflect on some of the many successes and improvements our city has seen over the past 12 months. Take a look at a few highlights below with our year in review!
New Orleans had a lot to celebrate in 2015. Happy New Year! (Photo courtesy Viewminder on Flickr)
2015 New Orleans Will Year in Review
A guest author series with Chris Rose highlighted a somber anniversary. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Rose, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author explored the city’s positive changes following this devastating event. Through a lens of hospitality, retail, restaurants, hotels, and culture, Rose spoke to us in the way only he can: with passion, humor, and heart.
Our “Path of a Tourism Dollar” design got a facelift. Check out the beautiful new infographic and see how every tourist dollar spent directly benefits locals!
Flash Career Fairs connected locals to dozens of job opportunities. Bringing resume help, representatives from local hospitality businesses, and seamless, easy application materials all to one spot was our way of giving locals a leg up on a new career. Learn more about our most recent career fair!
Gourmet dishes brought in big dollars for children. In November, Emeril Lagasse’s Boudin, Bourbon, and Beer event raised $3 million to put toward childhood education initiatives. Direct beneficiaries in the past have included Café Reconcile and Edible Schoolyard.
Locals showed their love through a video tribute. See what happens when we ask familiar faces like Wendell Pierce what they love most about New Orleans.
The Orpheum Theater reopened with fanfare. This beautiful theater is one of just a handful of vertical theaters left in the country. Its reopening in August solidified the Central Business District as an incredible attraction for visitors and locals alike.
Children learn to celebrate the arts. The New Orleans hospitality industry gave back to its community by providing an opportunity for local children to attend a world-class performance from the New Orleans Ballet Association during its 2015/2016 season. From tuition-free programming year-round for seniors, kids and everyone in between, to pre-professional classes that give participants access to visiting master artists, the NORDC/NOBA Center for Dance enriches the community through a commitment to creative movement.
Copa Airlines connected us to Latin America. Read all about Copa Airlines, who penned a guest blog for us to tell us a little bit more about their history and important new role in New Orleans — not only providing new travel options for locals, but also bolstering jobs at Louis Armstrong International Airport.
New Orleans celebrated National Tourism Week. The 2015 National Tourism Week started on May 2 this past year. The city took part in the revelry – after all, tourism is our biggest source of revenue. An expo, luncheon, and a trip to Jazz in the Park were all a part of the festivities.
New Orleans Day at the Louisiana State Legislature had us celebrating our favorite city. Back in April, we headed to Baton Rouge to discuss important initiatives designed to aid our city. Learn more in our blog post!
We can’t wait to see what 2016 has in store for this amazing city!