New Orleans Secures the International CTIA WIRELESS® 2012 Show

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Orleans Secures the International CTIA WIRELESS^® 2012 Show
Convention Set to Bring $47 Million in Economic Impact

NEW ORLEANS – March 28, 2011 – The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) announced that International CTIA WIRELESS^® will return to New Orleans, May 8-10, 2012 for the seventh time at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (MCCNO). International CTIA WIRELESS is the premier mobile industry event representing a vibrant $1 trillion global marketplace.

“The mobile ecosystem is evolving and expanding to span borders, industries and interests. That’s resulting in an increasingly diverse group of attendees and exhibitors at International CTIA WIRELESS, and we believe New Orleans will be a great host site in 2012,” said Robert Mesirow, CTIA vice president and show director. “New Orleans provides our attendees with a centrally-located and culturally rich destination.”

This will be CTIA’s first show in New Orleans since 2005, and with more $92.7 million in renovations since 2006, the MCCNO proves to be the perfect home base for the show in 2012. The MCCNO features digital, large-screen, closed-circuit, video/audio systems and a newly remodeled exhibit space, providing a modern and geographically desirable destination for international exhibitors and attendees.

“We are very excited for the return of International CTIA WIRELESS,” says Bob Johnson, CEO of the MCCNO. “The investments we have made and will continue to make are all about making this the best Convention Center in the nation and the decision for CTIA to return affirms that this commitment by our board and staff is well-founded.”

Stephen Perry, president and CEO of the New Orleans CVB, added, “New Orleans has a rich history and strong bond with CTIA, and we are thrilled to welcome them back to our city. Attendees will not only experience the joy and excitement of the city they remember from past conventions, but I believe they’ll experience an entirely new New Orleans with a technological backbone that can support their mobile endeavors.”

New Orleans as a destination is prepared to host a meeting of this caliber and size. International CTIA WIRELESS will utilize nearly every hotel property in Orleans and Jefferson parishes, and with $400 million of improvements to local hotels and 1,153 restaurants currently open in the metropolitan area, the city is set to welcome CTIA’s world-wide attendee base.

CTIA shows bring together all industries advanced by wireless technology for intense business, learning and networking. International CTIA WIRELESS^® 2012 will take place in New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, May 8-10. CTIA ENTERPRISE & APPLICATIONS™ 2011 will take place in San Diego at the San Diego Convention Center, October 11-13. Visit www.ctiashow.com. CTIA–The Wireless Association^® is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Visit www.ctia.org.

The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau is a nationally accredited, 1,000-member destination marketing organization and the largest and most successful private economic development corporation in Louisiana. We create $5 billion in new capital each year- more than any other business sector- by attracting millions of visitors, special events and conventions. The CVB and its members influence thousands of decision-makers and millions of visitors to choose New Orleans through direct sales, marketing, public relations, branding and visitor services at our New Orleans headquarters and offices in Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago and four foreign countries. Consistently recognized as one of the top five CVBs in the country, the New Orleans CVB celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2010. For more information, please visit www.neworleanscvb.com.

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
With 1.1 million square feet of contiguous exhibit space, an award winning staff and first class amenities, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is the sixth largest convention center in the nation and a consistent Top 10 host of the largest number of conventions and tradeshows annually. A leading rainmaker of the city’s hospitality industry, MCCNO event activity has produced $39.12 billion in economic impact since its 1985 opening, including $2.19 billion in new tax revenue.

CVB Media Contacts: 
Kelly Schulz or Tara Letort
504-566-5019
kschulz@neworleanscvb.com
tletort@neworleanscvb.com

CTIA Media Contacts:
Cheryl Delgreco or Liora Bram
617-723-4004/617-202-9854
cdelgreco@msipr.com  
lbram@msipr.com 

MCCNO Media Contacts:
Tim Hemphill
504-582-3023
themphill@mccno.com

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