FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau
Kelly Schulz
504-566-5019
kschulz@neworleanscvb.com

Jenn Lotz
504-566-5019
jlotz@neworleanscvb.com


           New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau Bolsters Sales Team in Chicago and Opens Southwest Regional Office

NEW ORLEANS – March 17, 2008 – The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau (NOMCVB) is pleased to announce the appointments of Bethani Blair and Mary Calvert to the convention sales department. The newly created Southwest regional office will be based in Dallas with Bethani Blair as sales manager.

With nine-and-a-half years in the hospitality industry, Bethani Blair was director of sales and marketing for The Guest Lodge at the Cooper Aerobics Center for four-and-a-half years before spending two years as group sales manager for Westin Galleria Dallas. Most recently she spent three years working with Ultimate Ventures DMC. Blair can be contacted at bblair@neworleanscvb.com.

Mary Calvert was director of national accounts-association, with Marriot National Group Sales for the past 17 years in Chicago. Calvert had worked at Marriott’s Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Ariz. and prior, at the Marriot for National Group Sales, working the corporate and association markets for three years. With the NOMCVB sales team, Calvert will be based in Chicago focusing on the Midwest market and can be contacted at mcalvert@neworleanscvb.com.

The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (www.neworleanscvb.com) is the driving force behind New Orleans' most important industry, tourism. Today the cultural riches, sensual indulgences and unparalleled service that define the New Orleans experience continue to flourish, as they have for centuries. The most celebrated and historic core of the city - including the French Quarter, Central Business District, Warehouse and Arts District, Magazine Street, the Faubourg Marigny and Garden District - are thriving. In 2007 New Orleans welcomed 6 million visitors. For more information, visit www.neworleanscvb.com.

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Bethani Blair		Mary Calvert