Thousands of Meeting Planners Recognize New Orleans for Excellence in Customer Service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Kelly Schulz or Jenn Lotz
New Orleans CVB
504-566-5019
kschulz@neworleanscvb.com/jlotz@neworleanscvb.com

Thousands of Meeting Planners Recognize New Orleans
for Excellence in Customer Service
New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) receives "Distinctive Achievement Award" for the fourth time while accepting its eighth "Award of Excellence"

NEW ORLEANS-September 14, 2011-Subscribers to Corporate & Incentive Travel and Association Conventions & Facilities magazines have once again recognized the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau for superior customer service through the publications' annual awards, the "Award of Excellence" and the "Distinctive Achievement Award." Both magazines are published by Coastal Communications Corporation, producer of leading business to business magazines read by thousands of meeting professionals from across the globe.

Corporate & Incentive Travel magazine-The New Orleans CVB was chosen by thousands of Corporate & Incentive Travel magazine readers as a recipient of the 2011 "Award of Excellence." This is the eighth time since the award was created in 1985 that the New Orleans CVB has been selected for the honor. Nearly 40,000 subscribers are given the opportunity to vote via an open ballot in Corporate & Incentive Travel to select the winners based on certain criteria, including an organization's outstanding service given to corporate meeting and/or incentive travel programs within the past year. The prestigious "Award of Excellence" is a mark of distinction for CVBs, hotels, resorts and conference centers.

Association Conventions & Facilities magazine-More than 20,500 readers received a ballot for the magazine's fourth annual "Distinctive Achievement Awards." For a fourth consecutive year, the New Orleans CVB was selected for superior customer service and was one of only 19 convention and visitors bureaus from across the country to receive the "Distinctive Achievement Award." Voting criteria is based on assistance with promotion, accommodations and site inspections, ability to assist and liaison with suppliers, vendors, facilities, venues and local government; and communications and website strength.

"In an ever-changing market, New Orleans CVB staff and industry partners constantly work to adapt and excel as a meeting destination, specifically in the realm of customer service," said Stephen Perry, President and CEO of the New Orleans CVB. "With a staff dedicated specifically to offering one-on-one assistance, the New Orleans CVB is able to rise to the challenges of today's fast-paced world by fostering meaningful relationships with our customers, allowing for superior service and developing a new standard of professionalism."

For a complete list of New Orleans CVB awards, visit www.neworleanscvb.com/press-media.

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. For more information, please visit www.neworleanscvb.com.

For more than 30 years, Coastal Communications Corporation has published leading business-to-business magazines. These include Corporate & Incentive Travel, Insurance & Financial Meetings Management, and Association Conventions & Facilities. Readers turn to our publications for cutting-edge information on the latest industry trends, the hottest sites for incentive programs, news on new and expanded venues, technology, and for in-depth profiles of popular meeting destinations.

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