Hornets surpass 10,000 season ticket holder goal for 2011-12

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Hornets surpass 10,000 season ticket holder goal for 2011-12
Team has sold the most new season tickets in the NBA since June

NEW ORLEANS -- Earlier today, the New Orleans Hornets held a press conference at New Orleans City Hall to announce that the team has sold 10,019 season ticket packages for the 2011-12 NBA season. With a total of 6,300 season ticket holders last season, the franchise had set a goal to sell 10,000 season tickets for the upcoming season in order to ensure the team's long-term viability in the Greater New Orleans region and to attract local ownership.

In addition to a successful "I'm In" marketing campaign and the "100 Events in 100 Days" initiative, the team's efforts were assisted by a commitment from business and community leaders involved with the Hornets Business Council.

Formed in December 2010, the Hornets Business Council encouraged businesses throughout Southeast Louisiana to become financially committed to keeping the NBA franchise in the area.

The Hornets Business Council-led by Gregory Rusovich, Chairman of the Business Council of Greater New Orleans and the River Region; Michael Hecht, President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc.; and Henry Coaxum, Chairman of the New Orleans Business Alliance-has members representing the business interests of organizations throughout the region, including business councils, chambers of commerce, and economic development agencies, along with area business leaders.

"Selling over 10,000 season tickets is a slam dunk for the New Orleans community and demonstrates unequivocally the city's commitment to having an NBA team," said Rusovich, co-chair of the Hornets Business Council.

During the 2010-11 NBA season, the Hornets Business Council led the region in a successful effort to reach an attendance benchmark of 14,375.

"Our region's success in not only reaching but surpassing these two targets, first with the attendance benchmark and now with the season ticket sales, is a testament to the focus of our business leaders and the passion of our citizens," said Hecht. "We recognized the need to support the Hornets-for the significant economic impact, the community involvement, and the national perception of our progress-and we executed on our plan."

Coupled with the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the league and its players, the season ticket sales will help to ensure the short-term success and the long-term economic sustainability of the Hornets in Louisiana.

"We extend our congratulations to the Hornets and their management," said Coaxum. "Just as important, we recognize the business community's willingness to collaborate when a common challenge arises. For the team to have more new ticket sales than any other team in the league is a remarkable vote of confidence for the Greater New Orleans region and its ability to support two professional sports franchises."

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About Greater New Orleans, Inc.
The GNO, Inc. Mission is to serve as the catalyst for wealth creation in the Greater New Orleans region. GNO, Inc. will accomplish this by pursuing an aggressive agenda of business development - marketing the region - and product development - improving regional business conditions through policy, workforce and research initiatives.

The GNO, Inc. Vision is for the Greater New Orleans region to fulfill its potential as one of the best places in the country to grow a company, and raise a family. The ultimate indication of success for GNO, Inc. will be the presence of a robust and growing middle class in southeastern Louisiana.

More information can be found at http://emarketing.mudbugmedia.com/c/15221543/793/O72P4ML/lBUw?redirect_to=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gnoinc.org.