Connect Marketplace Brings 1,000 Influential Meeting Planners and Travel Industry Suppliers to New Orleans August 16-18, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2012

Connect Marketplace Brings 1,000 Influential Meeting Planners and Travel Industry Suppliers to New Orleans August 16-18, 2012
New Orleans showcases itself as a premier destination for meetings and conventions

WHAT: Collinson Media's Connect Marketplace

WHERE: New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (MCCNO); Hall D

WHEN: Thursday, August 16-Saturday, August 18, 2012

DETAILS: New Orleans will be front and center for Connect Marketplace, August 16-18, which brings together association and sports meeting planners and suppliers for three days of education, networking and appointments. Approximately 1,000 attendees are expected in New Orleans, including 500 meeting planners, who serve as decision-makers for their organization's meetings. Their influence has the potential to attract future big business to New Orleans.

Connect Marketplace will also feature high-profile keynote speakers, including political powerhouse couple, James Carville and Mary Matalin; Commander of Joint Task Force-Katrina, Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré; Columbia Business School professor, Sheena Iyengar and Seth Meyers of "Saturday Night Live."

In 2011, more than 1.2 million visitors chose New Orleans for a convention or meeting. Of the overall 8.75 million visitors to the city, 46.1 percent attended events at the MCCNO. By showcasing New Orleans to delegates of Connect Marketplace, the city has the potential to book major business in future years. This year's meeting is expected to generate more than $1.4 million in economic impact for the city.

WEBSITE: www.connectyourmeetings.com/marketplace/
TWITTER: #connect12, @ConnectMeetings
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ConnectMtgs
YOUTUBE: youtube.com/connectmeetings
INSTAGRAM: connectmeetings

MAJOR EVENTS:

• Fri, August 17; 8-9:15 a.m.; Keynote speaker Sheena Iyengar; La Nouvelle Orleans Ballroom
• Fri, August 17; 12:45 p.m.-2 p.m.; Keynote speakers James Carville and Mary Matalin; La Nouvelle Orleans Ballroom
• Sat, August 18; 8-9:15 a.m.; Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré; La Nouvelle Orleans Ballroom
• Sat, August 18; 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Seth Meyers; La Nouvelle Orleans Ballroom

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Collinson Media: Amy Dodge, cell: 678-313-8125, adodge@collinsonmedia.com
New Orleans CVB: Tara Letort, 504-566-5019, tletort@neworleanscvb.com; Kelly Schulz, 504-421-0962, kschulz@neworleanscvb.com
New Orleans Morial Convention Center: Rosalie Mortillaro, 504-582-3027, rmortillaro@mccno.com

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