New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

forced to furlough any of its 400 full-time and part-time employees. “We’re just spending our reserve account now to plan for the future and get the building in shape for when we’re ready to host again,” Sawaya shares. “Being able to keep everybody employed, you can imagine how loyal they are to us as an enterprise. We brought the staff back into the building only when it was safe to do so. We were one of the first facilities to get the GBAC STAR™ accreditation. And once they got there, we found things that needed to be done – essential work, not to keep them busy but to bring the team back together during a difficult time.” As for the building itself, Authority’s investment will help bring the Center up to modern standards where technology and sustainability are concerned. Enhancements to the facility will include $175 million in renovations to all 140 meeting rooms and pre-function areas using a contemporary design commensurate with some of the newer facilities breaking ground across the country. As well as a $40.3 million roof replacement, $11 million in restroom renovations, $10 million in technology upgrades, and $8 million in retrofit of all exhibit hall lighting. “We’ve got a plan to reposition the building for the future,” Sawaya says. “A year ago, we were kind of in the middle of those projects, but they’ve now become our number one priority.” One of the projects Sawaya is most proud of is the recently completed pedestrian pathway that spans the entire length of the facility. “We’ve completely redesigned and reconfigured the front of the Center,” he says. “We’ve redone the street – it’s now a 7.5-acre linear park – so it’s a much safer, much warmer and inviting introduction to the building. Having greenery at your doorstep really is a much President, Michael J. Sawaya