Business View Magazine | February 2021

193 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2021 A tailored approach to risk management. At Gallagher, we tailor risk management solutions and insurance coverage to the changing needs of your business. We are committed to the highest service standards and have again been recognized as one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” for 2019 for the eighth consecutive year. Gallagher is proud of our long-term partnership with Michael Sawaya and the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Congratulations to your recognition as a top conference and convention center in North America. nancy_sylvester@ajg.com 337.794.0611 235 Highlandia Drive, Suite 200 | Baton Rouge, LA 70810 111 Veterans Blvd, Suite 1130 | Metairie, LA 70005 9442 Capital of Texas Highway North, Suite 950 | Austin, TX 78759 “World’s Most Ethical Companies” and “Ethisphere” names and marks are registered trademarks of Ethisphere LLC. © 2019 Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. 35675A NEW ORLEANS ERNEST N. MOR I AL CONVENT ION CENTER just incredible.” With Hurricane Zeta, a Category 2 storm, becoming the fifth named storm to make landfall in Louisiana last October, the residents of New Orleans certainly weren’t spared from disaster- related anxiety in 2020. “It was an unusual year back-to-back,” Sawaya says. “You know, we’re fortunate. I’ve never seen winds that strong my entire life – 110 mph winds. It really was something to watch.” Although the Center did sustain some damage, Sawaya confirms there were no major incidents to report. “Just things like you’d expect,” he says. “Some pieces of the roof, some of the canopy out front. The trees really took a beating around town.” Back in August, the Center served as an aid distribution center for hundreds of Hurricane Laura evacuees, doling out clothing, baby supplies, and health services to those in need. At the same time, acting as a medical monitoring station for patients recovering from COVID-19. On the pandemic front, the Center has been lucky in that it hasn’t been