Thinking of bringing a meeting to New Orleans? The numbers might help convince you it's time: Almost $93 million in improvements to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and $250 million to the Louisiana Superdome. More than 300 new restaurants and $400 million in hotel improvements in the past five years. The top city in the country for RevPAR growth from January to May 2010. Seven and a half million tourists last year—the highest since the hurricane—and a total of 70,000 tourism jobs, just below the pre-Katrina high of 85,000.

Outdoor musicians in the French Quarter

New Orleans is almost back, and when it comes to meeting infrastructure, better than ever before. In April, McKinney, Texas–based life insurer Torchmark Corp. held two meetings in the city and, according to Donita Jacobs, assistant vice president, ”It’s back and it’s better than ever! I was very excited to see how great the city looked, the enthusiasm of the residents, and the general excitement that was once a New Orleans staple is thriving once again.”

The New Orleans CVB has compiled an update on tourism in the city five years after Katrina. A special web site also lists the latest news about ongoing events celebrating the fifth anniversary of Katrina. 

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