NTA Members Support the Gulf Coast

November 6, 2005

NTA Members Support the Gulf Coast
November 6, 2005 – Delegates at the Saturday Luncheon during the NTA Annual Convention got to hear personal stories from NTA members impacted by the hurricanes along the Gulf Coast. Ron McConnell from the Mobile Area CVB, Lisa Holland from the New Orleans Metro CVB and Steve Richer with the Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB spoke at the Luncheon. In addition to providing updates on the status of things in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, each of the three expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support they’ve received from their industry friends the past three months and guaranteed their areas would be back as top-flight tourist destinations.

"In the Mobile Bay area, we are well on our way to recovery. Major events are on schedule for the coming year," McConnell said.

Donations totaling more than $6,000 were collected for Tourism Cares for Tomorrow’s Gulf Coast Restoration Fund. Green wristbands also are being sold at the Tourism Cares booth,

"Thank you for your prayers, thank you for caring, thank you for hosting evacuees and thank you for your donations," Richer expressed.

Another part of the luncheon was a stirring video presentation including images from the aftermath in the affected areas.

Holland said, "The relationship with our tourism partners means more to us than ever as we look ahead to a bright future."

Music for the luncheon was provided by Three Men and a Tenor, who performed a special version of the song "Feels Like Coming Home," as a tribute to the hurricane-affected areas.