New Orleans, LA – November 2005 – The Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) will hold its board of directors meeting in New Orleans at the end of this month as previously planned, it was announced Friday (November 4) by Roger Dow, TIA’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

The meeting, to be held November 29-30 at the Marriott and Sheraton hotels, will include more than 50 senior officials representing leading travel companies, tourism offices and destinations from throughout the U.S.

The decision to honor its previously scheduled commitment to the city was made after TIA senior management consulted hotel representatives, the city’s convention and visitors bureau’s president Stephen Perry, and the state’s Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu, who is responsible for the state’s office of culture, recreation and tourism.

“We are committed to showing support to New Orleans and the entire Gulf region as it continues its recovery following Hurricane Katrina,” Dow said. “With travel and tourism playing such a significant role in the New Orleans economy, TIA has never wavered in our hope that we could hold our board meeting as planned. Steve and Mitch have assured me that our show of support at this time is a welcome sign for others to see New Orleans is open for business, including travel and tourism.”

Barbara Richardson, Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Amtrak and TIA’s National Chair, said: “The city’s ability to host our meeting is a tremendous positive statement with regard to what has been accomplished in a very short time. Our entire board is looking forward to getting a first-hand view of the progress that is being made to rejuvenate one of America’s great destinations.”

“New Orleans just received the equivalent of the tourism industry’s Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval,” said Stephen Perry, President and Chief Executive Officer of the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This is a significant national signal that some of the most respected and prestigious tourism industry leaders have selected New Orleans as their location for this important event. This visit demonstrates the commitment of the Travel Industry Association to helping our city continue to rebuild better than ever.”

Perry also commented, “We are delighted to host the TIA board and showcase firsthand the improvements and renovations underway throughout the city and within the industry that drives New Orleans and Louisiana’s economy—tourism.”

TIA’s research shows that travel-related business in the Katrina-affected parishes and counties of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama accounts for $50 million per day to the local and state economies.

In the days after Katrina hit, TIA, in cooperation with other travel industry-related organizations and its web partner USDM.net, launched a free job bank at KatrinaJobs.org to help displaced workers find new employment. In just one month, more than 800 employers have posted more than 5,000 job openings on the site.