"Champions of the Crescent City" Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS: Kelly Schulz

New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau

504-566-5045/ 504-421-0962 mobile

kschulz@neworleanscvb.com

Erica Papillion

New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau

504-566-5044

epapillion@neworleanscvb.com

New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau Unveils

“Champions of the Crescent City” Program

New initiative recognizes organizations for selecting New Orleans as a meetings & convention destination with Maritz Inc. first to formally receive honor

In January, Maritz, the world’s largest meetings, events and incentive travel company, decided to move its Global Sales Conference from its headquarter city of St. Louis, Mo., where it has been traditionally held, to New Orleans May 23-25. Their presence provides a prime opportunity to showcase the city as a destination for meetings and incentive trips and generate millions of dollars in economic impact.

Maritz employs nearly 900 travel professionals with affiliated offices in many parts of the United States and five countries. In 2004 and 2005, Maritz managed 2,300 meetings, events and incentive travel programs and booked more than 1.38 million hotel room nights. Maritz also provides market research, communications, learning solutions, incentive initiatives, rewards and recognition, and customer loyalty programs. The company serves a range of large and small clients, including General Motors, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Bank of America, Sprint and the Hewlett-Packard Company.

“We are deeply grateful to Maritz for supporting New Orleans and making a huge impact on our hospitality industry, which is so vital to the city’s prosperity,” said Stephen Perry, president and CEO of the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau. “As New Orleans’ first Champion of the Crescent City, Maritz is sending a strong message to the global travel and meetings industry that one of the world’s premiere destinations is back and ready for business.”

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Page 2 / New Orleans CVB Unveils “Champions of the Crescent City” Program

“We are both honored and humbled to be named a Champion of New Orleans, “ remarked Steve Maritz, chairman of the board and CEO of Maritz. “Because New Orleans relies on tourism as its top revenue source and Maritz is the leader in incentive travel, meetings and events, we wanted to use our industry position to help with the recovery. We sent our 300 sales people to experience the city for themselves, so that they could spread the word that New Orleans is back in business and ready to support groups, large or small.”

The revitalization of New Orleans is attributed to many, but most importantly to the City’s hospitality and tourism industry, the largest employer in the New Orleans area and the second largest industry in the state of Louisiana. Tourism generates $5 billion in visitor spending and $250-300 million in tax revenues and an average convention delegate generates $1,500 for the local economy during his or her stay. Tourism in New Orleans was one of the first industries to return after Hurricane Katrina and is the lifeblood of thousands of businesses, employing 85,000 people.

About New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (NOMCVB) Since 1960, the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (www.neworleanscvb.com) has been the driving force behind New Orleans' most important industry, attracting $4.9 billion to the region annually. Nationally recognized for superior customer service, NOMCVB represents over 1,200 members and provides convention services and visitor information for business travelers and vacationers. In 2004, the NOMCVB welcomed a record-breaking 10.1 million visitors to one of America's favorite meeting and leisure destinations. The NOMCVB is committed to rebuilding the city of New Orleans.

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