New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) Announces Winners of National Photo Contest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Jennifer Day/Jenn Lotz
New Orleans CVB
504-566-5019
jday@neworleanscvb.com/ jlotz@neworleanscvb.com

New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) Announces Winners of National Photo Contest
Let’s Do Shots! New Orleans Photo Contest winners arrive in New Orleans for grand prize, three-day NOLA experience
Contest winners are available for interviews upon request

NEW ORLEANS – Nov. 9, 2010 – The New Orleans CVB is excited to announce that Kim Welsh and Karen Roslund are the winners of the Let’s Do Shots! New Orleans Photo Contest. Welsh, the local winner from Gramercy, Louisiana, and Roslund, a resident of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, received a combined total of nearly 1,000 votes for their two photo entries titled, “Saint Joanie on a Pony” and “Battle of New Orleans.” Roslund and her guest will arrive in New Orleans today, while Welsh will enjoy Christmas New Orleans Style with her trip beginning on December 21, 2010. Both winners are available for interviews upon request.

The photo contest sought to visually represent that New Orleans is a world-class travel destination and a city that lives within the hearts of people around the globe. The contest was one strategy in the BP-funded marketing plan to combat misperceptions and preserve tourism in New Orleans following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Welsh and Roslund will continue to illustrate the energy and authenticity of New Orleans by documenting their trip through photography and video, which will be posted to the CVB’s social media channels.

“I'm so excited about my upcoming New Orleans staycation,” said Welsh. “I am looking forward to enjoying the sights, sounds and tastes of the French Quarter, lavishing in the luxury of the Monteleone, and just having fun basking in the culture and history of my favorite city.”

Roslund said, “I was ecstatic to learn I was the winner of the photo contest. My sister and I were in the planning stages of a trip to New Orleans in 2011….We are excited to see all the attractions and can't wait to get there! This is a dream come true.”

Beginning August 16, Facebook users were asked to upload photos of themselves and their families enjoying their favorite parts of New Orleans or of their favorite New Orleans landmarks. Entries were taken until September 3, when 10 finalists were chosen internally and voted on by the public. On September 17, the New Orleans CVB announced the two Grand Prize winners – one local and one visitor. Sponsors include the Hotel Monteleone, Court of Two Sisters, Arnaud’s Restaurant, Brennan’s, the American Sector, Café Du Monde, Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro and the Steamboat Natchez, packaged by Kuoni Destination Management.

Since August 16, the Let’s Do Shots! New Orleans Photo Contest Facebook fan page received 400 photo entries, approximately 1,700 votes in two weeks and 370 new Facebook fans. To view the winning entries, please see the photos below.

Photographed by Kim Welsh, “Saint Joanie on a Pony”


















Photographed by Karen Roslund, “Battle of New Orleans”

The New Orleans CVB is the driving catalyst for New Orleans’ largest industry – tourism – strategically leading national and international marketing, public relations and visitor services efforts that attract millions of visitors, events, conventions and festivals. Consistently recognized as one of the top five CVBs in the country, the New Orleans CVB is celebrating its 50^th anniversary in 2010. For more information, please visit www.neworleanscvb.com.

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