This coming Tuesday has been declared THE POWER OF TOURISM IN NEW ORLEANS DAY by the NOCVB! All hospitality industry, cultural economy employees, musicians and performers are strongly urged to participate in a 30-minute Travel Rally from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, when hundreds of hospitality workers will take to Canal Street to showcase the importance of tourism to New Orleans. The rally and walk will begin at 10 a.m. at Canal and Bourbon and go down to the Riverfront.



The NOCVB needs as many participants as possible to send a message to Congress and our State Legislators and City Leaders about the strength of our industry and the critical importance and power of travel and meetings to New Orleans' economy, our livelihoods, job creation, our cultural heritage and an enhanced quality of life for every citizen.



New Orleans is one of several cities around the country chosen to host a travel rally as part of a national effort by the U.S. Travel Association to show that Tourism Matters. Help us make New Orleans' rally the best in the nation! We want hundreds of hospitality workers to line the street to hold signs proclaiming, I am the Face of Travel! Tourism Matters! Meetings Mean Business! and Travel Means Jobs! The NOCVB has signs prepared. NewOrleans.Com will participate with our Green SMART CAR leading our way down Canal. We have NewOrleans.Com banners, fans, and beads. All are encouraged to make and bring their own signs if they wish!



Musicians, the world-famous St. AUG band, and Mardi Gras Indians will parade during the rally. Hospitality workers will hold signs, second line and dance to the sounds of musicians on every corner. (The CVB will provide signs, buttons and second line napkins for everyone.) The Canal Street Streetcar will be part of the celebration. The local media will be invited to cover the event. NewOrleans.Com will have coverage on our site. The NOCVB will capture everyone on video, which will be sent to the national media.



If you can join us we would really appreciate it. Please meet us at Canal and Bourbon between 9:30-9:45 to get lined up on the streets and in the parade. Or you can meet at our office to car pool to Canal. If you know you can come, please email me back. I will have fans and beads for everyone. Please wear your NewOrleans.Com shirts if you have one as well.