New Orleans
Meeting, Convention and Visitors Bureau
We offer the deepest and most
profound thanks to the government leaders, individuals, trade organizations, and
especially our clients, customers and New Orleans’ many visitors, for your
overwhelming outpouring of support and affection for our city and people. You
have touched our hearts. Your offers of assistance and your heartfelt
expressions of eagerness to return to our city once we are back on our feet have
moved us beyond words. We love our city, and your communication of hope and love
for New Orleans has buoyed our spirits.
America's most romantic, walkable, historic city is not itself; how long is will
be before we are back on our feet and welcoming you again to New Orleans, we do
not know. We hope it will only be a matter of a few short months. The birthplace
of jazz, home of magnificent European architecture, and originator of the most
renowned cuisine on the planet has suffered a terrible blow. But the city’s
spirit is strong, its people are resilient and its incredible history and
character survive.
The historic French Quarter and nearly all the hospitality infrastructure
survived Katrina and her aftermath very well, though somewhat battered. The
amazing historic and cultural fabric of this unique city – all of those things
that have drawn and enthralled millions of visitors from around the world –
resiliently remain.
Several bars in the French Quarter are open, gathering spots for locals to visit
and share stories, though there is nothing to sell or serve. A lone artist
living on Pirates Alley next to the St. Louis Cathedral hung his paintings on
the Jackson Square fence just like normal in a symbolic gesture to say that New
Orleans French Quarter culture would absolutely rebound.
Though we will be down for a period, we know that we will be able to rebuild an
even more welcoming, vibrant city in which to live, work and do business. The
work will be hard, but gratifying. The challenges are immense. We are up to the
task.
Government, business and tourism industry leaders have united, pledging that the
city will begin its efforts right away to be reborn better than ever. What has
made New Orleans world famous is sustained; now, we have an historic opportunity
to be a living laboratory for turning disaster, infrastructure degradation, and
societal ills into social, structural and economic renaissance. New Orleans will
be a model for cultural preservation amid urban rebirth.
It may take a while.....but one day, the riffs of jazz trumpets, the
indescribably tempting aromas wafting from the kitchens of our great chefs, the
buzz of great conventions, the foot-wide magnetic smiles of hotel bellmen, and
romantic strolls along the mighty Mississippi will return to the magic of daily
life in New Orleans. The spirit of New Orleans’ multicultural tapestry of people
is indefatigable, and though we may be bowed and emotionally stretched, we
cannot be defeated. And we cannot wait to rebuild, to welcome you back to the
authentic culture, history and hospitality of this city we all love.
J. Stephen Perry
President & CEO
© 2004 New Orleans CVB
www.neworleanscvb.com
