FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MAY 1, 2006

Kelly Schulz
Vice President, Communications & Public Relations
New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau
504-566-5045
kschulz@neworleanscvb.com

Erica Papillion
Communications Coordinator
New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau
504-566-5044
epapillion@neworleanscvb.com

NOMCVB Represented on Meeting Professionals International Leadership

Danielle Plauche-Shaw elected 2006-2007 Gulf States Chapter Director of Member Recruitment/Retention

New Orleans, La. – The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (NOMCVB) is pleased to announce that Convention Sales Manager Danielle Plauche-Shaw has been elected to the Meeting Professionals International (MPI)-Gulf States Chapter Board of Directors.

“MPI is the largest association for the meeting professional, with 20,000 members worldwide committed to making meetings management a respected and recognized profession. It is an honor for me to serve the Gulf States Chapter, especially during this important time in New Orleans’ history,” said Plauche-Shaw. “In January, New Orleans will host approximately 2,000 MPI members at the 2007 Professional Education Conference-North America. This will be a great chance to showcase not only the Gulf States Chapter, but also to illustrate that New Orleans is alive and well. I am very excited about this opportunity to serve my chapter and the meetings industry.”

As the 2006-2007 Director of Member Recruitment/Retention, Plauche-Shaw will support the efforts of the Vice President of Membership. Her responsibilities include implementing the various committee initiatives related to developing and maintaining an active and ongoing campaign to attain membership goals; welcoming and orienting new members and submitting articles to the newsletter and Web site in support of recruitment and retention efforts. Established in 1997, the over 150-member Gulf State Chapter Board of MPI serves Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

Plauche-Shaw has been a convention sales manager with the NOMCVB for the past six years, and has been in the hotel and hospitality industry for 11 years. Before joining the NOMCVB, Plauche-Shaw worked in the New Orleans Fairmont Hotel’s sales department and the Sheraton New Orleans’ marketing department. She begins her MPI duties in June.

“Danielle has been a huge supporter of MPI, and we are thrilled with her appointment to the Board,” said Nikki Nicholson, executive vice president of the NOMCVB. “I have no doubt that her efforts will indeed make a difference, as they have for the past six years with the CVB.”

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.