The U.S. Travel Association announced Wednesday that New Orleans will be the venue for IPW 2016—the first time the major travel industry event has returned to the Crescent City since 2002. New Orleans also previously hosted the annual five-day event, formerly known as International Pow Wow, in 1993 and 1979.
IPW allows U.S. destinations, attractions and businesses to showcase themselves to thousands of travel professionals from international markets. "One of the major objectives of IPW is to spotlight the economic benefits of travel and tourism, and few cities anywhere in the world understand that equation as well as New Orleans," said Roger Dow, president and CEO, U.S. Travel Association (www.ustravel.org).
"New Orleans epitomizes the idea of rolling out the welcome mat for your guests," Dow added.
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"We are thrilled to showcase New Orleans to the entire world marketplace for international travel by hosting IPW in June 2016," said Stephen Perry, president and CEO, New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. He noted the timing couldn't be better, as the destination will be gearing up for world promotion of New Orleans' 300th Tricentennial birthday in 2018. "This will result in hundreds of millions of new dollars of international capital flowing into New Orleans and Louisiana," Perry said.
Greater Miami and The Beaches had been previously announced as the host city for IPW 2016, but arrangements for the event were postponed when the City of Miami Beach Commission approved a $500 million renovation and expansion of the city's convention center, set to begin in 2015 and last an estimated three years.
William Talbert, III, president and CEO, Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the destination looks forward to welcoming IPW back in the future as it opens the new facilities. Dow praised the handling of the transition by both Miami and New Orleans, and called it a virtual certainty that IPW will return to Greater Miami and The Beaches once upgrades to its convention facilities are complete.