Chicago’s Hotel Community and Representatives of Relocated Conventions Deliver Nearly $900,000 to Help New Orleans Rebuild its Visitor Industry
Contact:
Megan Risch
312-567-8540
(CHICAGO, IL) April 19, 2007- Just hours after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, Chicago’s hotel community rallied to raise money to assist its colleagues affected by the storm and to help in the effort to rebuild the New Orleans visitor industry. New Orleans is currently short by more than 12,000 hospitality workers in hotels and restaurants in the area since Hurricane Katrina.
On Thursday, April 19 representatives from Chicago’s Convention and Tourism Bureau (CCTB), its hotel community and three conventions that relocated to Chicago traveled to New Orleans to present the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity and the University of New Orleans’ Lester E. Kabacoff School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration with nearly $900,000.
“The commitment to rebuild New Orleans is real and it’s aggressive, but it can’t be done alone,” said Tim Roby, CCTB President and CEO. “Chicago wanted to help make a difference and in the process, help Habitat for Humanity build homes for partner families from the hospitality industry and the University’s hospitality school recruit and educate the future leaders of this industry.”
Emeril Lagasse remains committed to the rebirth of New Orleans and hosted an event to celebrate Chicago’s donation to the University of New Orleans at Emeril’s restaurant. Half of the funds raised will go to the University - a total of $447,800 – to be used to fund (48) 4-year scholarships.
A check for $447,800 was also presented to the New Orleans Area Habitat during a visit to Musicians Village. The funds will be used to build six homes for partner families from the hospitality industry that have been displaced by the storm. Construction on the homes is expected to begin within the next six months.
See photos from this trip.
###