The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau has established a communication and media center in the city’s French Quarter to gather and provide the most current information relevant to New Orleans’ tourism industry to local, national and international media. The center is located at the Desire Oyster Bar in the Royal Sonesta Hotel, 300 Bourbon Street, at the corner of Bourbon and Bienville Streets.

Communication professionals will man the Center from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to provide assistance to credentialed media with interview resources, story ideas, and regular New Orleans and tourism industry updates and information. The Center will also offer media an air conditioned retreat with Wireless Internet access, light snacks and cold drinks. Official credentials issued by media outlets are required for entry to the Center.

The following personnel will man the Center:

John Deveney
jdeveney@deveney.com
cell: 334.207.0288

Kara Kortman
kkortman@deveney.com
cell: 504.722.4144

Lindsay Glatz
lglatz@deveney.com
847.708.7281

Media can also access Media Center personnel via the following toll-free voice-activated phone number: 888-299-9417. Callers should say the first name of the party they wish to reach to be connected to the appropriate cell line.

The NOMCVB has additionally dedicated a section of its new Web site, www.neworleanscvb.com, to maintaining current information about Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts, New Orleans tourism industry status reports and news about the Rebirth of New Orleans. The site is updated at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily. It can be accessed from the Web site’s home page and main sub-section landing pages.

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. Last year, the NOMCVB welcomed a record-breaking 10.1 million visitors to one of America's favorite meeting and leisure destinations.

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