1. Award-Winning Destination Cuisine in New Orleans isn't the only thing spicing up the city. America's most authentic city welcomed 7.1 million visitors in 2007, nearly double the amount of visitors in 2006, and is hosting major events such as the NBA All Star Game, Essence Music Festival, Jazz Fest, North American Leaders Summit and hundreds of prominent conventions. Adding to the growing roster of achievements is the Crescent City's recognition as one of America's Favorite Cities according to a 2007 travelandleisure.com and CNN Headline News Poll, which scored New Orleans as number one in multiple categories. The New Orleans CVB was honored as a recipient of the 2008 distinguished Gold Service "Elite" award by the readers of Meetings and Conventions Magazine. Through totally unaided recall, meeting planners cited the New Orleans CVB as one of the five best CVBs in the world.
	2. Cuisine Time in New Orleans isn't kept in hours or days, but in meals. When dining in New Orleans, experience a culinary adventure that spans a wide array of cuisines. From Cajun, Creole, Soul and     Contemporary French, award-winning chefs create food for your taste buds and nourishment for your soul. Start the day with a beignet drenched in powdered sugar and a steaming cafe au lait, lunch on a shrimp po-boy or mouth-watering muffuletta and end the day with gumbo, shrimp creole and flaming bananas foster. More restaurants are open in New Orleans today than ever before. Taste for yourself why New Orleans was named by Bon Appétit as One of America's Top 5 Restaurant Cities.
	3. World Class Convention Facilities Resounding meeting planner and exhibitor satisfaction scores continue to demonstrate why the New Orleans Morial Convention Center is ranked among the nation's best facilities. The center offers over 1.1 million square feet of contiguous exhibit space, 140 meeting rooms and an ultra-modern 4,000 seat conference auditorium that is serviced by a friendly and efficient staff. The Louisiana Superdome and The New Orleans Arena are adjacent to each other and within close proximity of 22,000 hotel sleeping rooms and the Convention Center. Both facilities offer premier, versatile space that easily accommodates a wide array of concerts, trade shows and major championship sporting events. They are also home to the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Hornets. Unique venues, such as Mardi Gras World, that celebrate our culture and traditions, also are available for private events.
	4. Walkable Downtown Great for Attendee Networking Honored by Crocs™ in its 2008 Cities by Foot Campaign, New Orleans offers a compact geographic footprint which provides close proximity of hotels to convention and meeting facilities, the French Quarter and attractions creating a true destination experience, convenience and built-in transportation cost savings.
	5. One Destination - Three Distinct Districts Over 22,000 sleeping rooms are represented by leading national and independent hotel brands located within a two mile radius. Immerse yourself in the eclectic culture of the Arts District, experience the historic architecture of the French Quarter or enjoy the modern luxury and convenience of the Central Business District, all easily accessible to convention facilities, world-famous restaurants and attractions.
	6. Music Music is where New Orleans' first settlers found common ground. And still, no other city loves music more. Nowhere does it occur more effortlessly or more joyously. Jazz, America's only original art form was born here while Rhythm & Blues, Gospel, Cajun and Zydeco all express musically the rich melting pot that is our heritage. Let the music move your soul and experience a live performance at Snug Harbor, Preservation Hall, the Palm Court Jazz Cafe or one of the many other legendary music venues.
	7. Art & Architecture Countless architectural gems await you in New Orleans. In fact, the city is home to more National Historic Landmarks than any other country in the United States. Venture to the Arts District, a vibrant community of galleries and experience why it has been called So-Ho of the South. Then, visit one of the oldest and most diverse districts in New Orleans, Magazine Street, filled with galleries, shops and more. Finally, submerge yourself in the historic French Quarter by strolling the galleries on Royal and other famous French Quarter streets.
	8. Climate & Outdoor Recreation Typically mild winters allow for plenty of outdoor adventures and activities in and around the Crescent City. An urban resort that offers year-round golf, fishing in local waterways and deep sea offerings in the nearby Gulf of Mexico along with memorable swamp tours conducted in local bayous. For the spectator, enjoy a NBA game featuring the New Orleans Hornets in the centrally located New Orleans Arena.
	9. Ease of Doing Business in New Orleans There are many components of the CVB's New Orleans Commitment to be the most meeting-friendly city in America. From customizing attendance-building tools, authoring Green Meeting and Emergency Plans to coordinating voluntourism and community service projects, The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau includes a staff of award-winning sales, service and public relations professionals all working to provide our clients with successful and memorable events.
	10. Central Location Conveniently situated in the central region of the US, New Orleans is ideal for travelers. Just 20 minutes from downtown, Louis Armstrong International Airport tied for third place in the J.D. Powers 2008 North American Airport Satisfaction Index Study. As of June 2008, there are  134 flights serving 38 cities (83 percent the number of daily departures and 90 percent the number of destinations; 15,694 seats or 76 percent of our Pre-Katrina level of seats per day). Airlines operating out of the Armstrong International Airport include: Air Tran, American Airlines, Continental, Delta Air Lines, ExpressJet, Jet Blue, Northwest, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and U.S. Airways.  The New Orleans CVB is working with the airlines and airport officials with regard to convention scheduling to ensure adequate lift and to meet demand. Also, the airport is now providing free Wi-Fi to the traveling public on the second level of the terminal building.