Introduction
 The succesful planning and execution of conventions and meetings is a complex and daunting task under perfect conditions. Association and corporate planners depend upon solid strategic planning, effective systems and processes well designed and smoothly executed, and sterling communication internally and externally with no breakdowns.
When the normal complexities of meeting management and execution are impacted by emergency situations due to weather, natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other unanticipated catastrophes, it is more important than ever that effective, well thought out emergency plans and communication systems are in place and providing guidance to all partners.
The safety and well-being of every visitor to New Orleans is of utmost importance during times of crisis, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the City of New Orleans, and the state and city offices of emergency preparedness continue to monitor, evaluate and outline specific emergency strategies for immediate implementation to ensure the security of every visitor and local alike.
An NOMCVB sales manager is the round-the-clock emergency contact for you, the meeting planner. However, in the event of a crisis, the NOMCVB Rapid Response Team, a group of executive staff with significant emergency experience (including the CVB CEO and senior operations officers), come together on-site and establish constant emergency communications with city and state officials, meeting vendors, convention center officials and staff to ensure a smooth transition through each phase of the emergency plan.
New Orleans Tourism Crisis Management Plan
Crises do not discriminate based on location or timing, and they can hit when a city least expects them; as such, the City of New Orleans has developed a unified plan, which establishes communications protocols to ensure that every visitor to New Orleans as well as hospitality communicators are familiar with emergency procedures and their individual roles.
This plan, along with diligent and thorough preparation with an emphasis on safety, will assist visitors and community members in responding appropriately to emergencies. Each hospitality partner’s plan for dealing with emergencies is included in this program, and covers a number of different types of emergency situations, such as: fire, structural damage, hurricane, flood, tornado, power outages, medical emergencies, bomb and terrorist threats.
The goal of the New Orleans Tourism Crisis Management Plan is to ensure the safety and well being of all visitors and to provide accurate information and visible leadership in a timely fashion. This plan defines prescribed communication protocols, which are in place to mitigate potentially damaging issues that can affect your and the city's long-term image, credibility and public relations.
The City of New Orleans and State of Louisiana have for the first time implemented a unified emergency communications plan to ensure the timely flow of information across the region in emergency situations. The New Orleans tourism industry has joined with the Mayor and Governor to provide information they require to conduct a fully integrated Crisis Management Program for the City and the State.
This document presents a comprehensive and effective citywide emergency communications plan for the Greater New Orleans tourism industry. The individual emergency plans included in this plan for New Orleans tourism entities support the City and State Crisis Management Plan and are in line with the entire regional tourism industry.
The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau (NOMCVB) is the only agency in New Orleans in day-to-day touch with the full spectrum of tourism industry participants on a local, national and international basis, including: NOMCVB members and industry-related professionals; other industry agencies; community, business and government organizations and leaders; corporate and association travel markets; group and individual leisure travel markets; and relevant media.
The NOMCVB serves as the nexus of all data inputs and outputs necessary to effectively organize and disseminate accurate, timely and necessary information to the hospitality community and all visitors. This document is made available to meeting planners, convention attendees, travel professionals and guests to New Orleans to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge to make informed decisions and to be assured that their safety and well-being is of utmost importance.
Click here to download a copy of the Tourism Crisis Communication Plan
New Orleans Hotels and Lodging Visitor Evacuation Plan
Conv Center Emergency Preparedness Plan
Known as America’s most “walkable” city, New Orleans is a great place to live, work and play. Our downtown draws millions of visitors from around the world every year. Established along the banks of the Mississippi River, the downtown area was spared from the major flooding after Hurricane Katrina that affected the city’s outlying neighborhoods, and the area quickly returned to its pre-storm activity levels. Today, the downtown area is alive with activity from the Louisiana Superdome on Poydras Street, to businesses, hotels, restaurants, museums, galleries, shops and warehouse residences. Our Public Safety Rangers are happy to assist you with whatever your needs may be. Thank you for visiting New Orleans – be safe, be smart, and laissez les bon temps rouler!
1. Use common sense as you would in any major city.
2. Do not display large amounts of cash in public places.
3. Avoid walking alone on deserted streets at night as you would in any major American city, travel with a colleague or friend if possible.
4. Trust your gut instincts. If someone or something seems suspicious, leave the area or alert a police officer.
5. If approached by strangers for con games such as, "I bet I can tell you where you got your shoes," do not participate. Simply smile and walk past them.
6. Stow valuables out of sight in your vehicle.
7. If you drive to the city, it is best to park at your hotel to avoid parking restictions in popular tourist neighborhoods.
8. If you have been drinking, consider taking a taxi.
9. Always go with a group when touring any of our cemeteries. Most cemeteries close at 3 p.m.
10. Remember that most laws enforced in your city are enforced here as well.
Where can I catch a streetcar and how much does it cost? The New Orleans Streetcar line is partially back in service, including the leg traveling on Canal Street from the Mississippi River to Mid-City, and from Canal Street north on Carrolton Avenue to City Park. You can catch the historic streetcar anywhere along Canal Street at stops indicated by the signs that say “car stop” on the neutral ground (median). The red Riverfront line runs from the Convention Center past Jax Brewery and Café du Monde to the French Market. The fare for each is $1.25. The historic St. Charles Avenue line is undergoing extensive repair and restoration. Service from Canal Street to Lee Circle is operating now with full service. Buses are available for riders to continue on St. Charles Avenue to the Garden District and the Riverbend areas.
Why do the street names change at Canal Street? In the early 1800’s, there were two separate cities within New Orleans – the French Quarter on one side of Canal Street, and the :American Sector” on the uptown side. Each had its own government and laws, maintained its own land and buildings and named its own streets. The Americans and French would meet on the Canal Street median to conduct business, hence the reason medians in the city are called “neutral grounds.”
Is it legal to carry alcoholic drinks outdoors in New Orleans? In the City of New Orleans, it is legal to walk around with a drink. However, it cannot be in a glass container. So when you are leaving a bar, simply ask for a “go cup.”
What is a Public Safety Ranger? A Public Safety Ranger is a uniformed member of the Downtown Development District staff who patrols the streets of downtown and is available to answer questions and provide assistance. Rangers are also trained to be eyes and ears for the police and to provide First Aid and CPR.
Is New Orleans a safe place for visitors?
Yes. Tourist areas are as safe as those in any big city.
The ratio of police to citizens is actually higher today:
Pre-Katrina Police Force Post Katrina Police Force
Number of Officers - 1,680 Number of Officers - 1,406
Number of Citizens - 455,000 Number of Citizens - 300,000
Ratio Police/Citizens - 1:270 Ratio Police/Citizens - 1:213
So far in 2007, New Orleans has safely hosted more than one million visitors for ESSENCE Festival, Mardi Gras celebrations, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, major sporting events, cultural festivals, and large conventions with tens of thousands of attendees.
Testimonials from leisure visitors and travel industry professionals are available here: www.neworleanscvb.com/static/index.cfm/contentID/752/sectionID/2/subsectionID/752
Testimonials from business travelers and convention visitors are available here: www.neworleanscvb.com/static/index.cfm/contentID/744/sectionID/3/subsectionID/744
New Orleans' popular tourist areas such as the French Quarter, Downtown/Central Business District, Uptown, Garden District, Magazine Street, Warehouse/Arts District and Convention Center Boulevard continue to maintain a record as one of the safest and most walkable places for visitors of any city in America.
Unfortunately--as in any major city--crime does exist, and in New Orleans, the vast majority of violent crime is criminal-on-criminal acts which occur in areas of the city not frequented by tourists.
The New Orleans Police Department is known nationally for its record in making New Orleans a safe place to visit, ranging from large-scale crowd control events such as Mardi Gras, to four or five individuals enjoying a weekend getaway. Today the citizen-to-police ratio is much higher than it was pre-Katrina and we have backup from a new police recruit class, the National Guard and state police troopers to maintain a visible and serious law-enforcement presence.
As with any destination, we recommend that vacationers and convention attendees practice common sense and stay in well-populated tourist areas when they are here. New Orleans remains a national treasure and we want everyone who visits it to have a safe and enjoyable time.
How has the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau prepared for hurricane season?
The CVB's New Orleans Tourism Crisis Management Plan, along with diligent and thorough preparation with an emphasis on safety, will assist visitors and community members in responding appropriately to emergencies. The City of New Orleans and State of Louisiana have for the first time implemented a unified emergency communications plan to ensure the timely flow of information across the region in emergency situations. A comprehensive and effective citywide emergency communications plan for the Greater New Orleans tourism industry has been developed.
What are my options should I need medical care while visiting?
Hospitals convenient to tourist areas are:
• Touro Infirmary, 1404 Foucher St., 504-897-7011, www.touro.com
• Tulane University Hospital and Clinic, 1415 Tulane Ave., 504-988-5800, www.tuhc.com
• Ochsner Clinic Foundation and Hospital, 1514 Jefferson Highway, 800-874-8984, www.ochsner.org/frontpage/default.htm
• Children's Hospital, 200 Henry Clay Ave., 504-899-9511, www.chnola.org
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