New Orleans Convention Center

The Ernest N. Morrill New Orleans Exposition Hall Authority (Authority) approved two resolutions that are critical to moving forward with the development of a 1,000-room headquarters hotel. New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (Without ENNCC).

In addition to receiving a formal Letter of Intent (LOI), Omni Hotels & Resorts Omni, which owns and operates the headquarters hotel, voted to approve the purchase and sale agreement for the property at Convention Center Drive and Andrew Higgins Boulevard. The site, currently operated as the Sugar Mill event venue, is directly across the street from the convention center and is the preferred location for the new headquarters hotel.

“If anyone needed another reason to travel to New Orleans, this is it. I am pleased that the Authority has taken the next step to develop a new hotel for the New Orleans Convention Center. I sincerely thank Omni Hotels & Resorts, the Authority and all who worked to make this happen. This hotel will bring more people and more activity to our state, and it gives us an even greater opportunity to showcase all that New Orleans has to offer,” Governor Jeff Landry told the media.

The hotel will be strategically positioned to help attract events that were previously missed in New Orleans due to the city’s lack of adjacent modern, upscale headquarters hotels. Conference CenterThe new headquarters hotel will enhance New Orleans’ national and regional appeal, providing continued growth and success opportunities for the city, region and state. This key asset will help meet the growing demands of the contemporary meetings market and solidify New Orleans’ position as a top meetings and events destination – as their slogan states, New Orleans was built to host guests.

Decisions made in the last decade

Considerations for a headquarters hotel began several years ago and have been closely evaluated for nearly a decade.

“The Authority’s move brings us one step closer to attracting the trade shows, conventions and events that can only be accommodated with an adjacent headquarters hotel,” said Michael J. Sawaya, president and CEO of the convention center, in a statement. “This will bring in a new market, which means more events, more jobs, create new room demand for other hotels in the market, and increase spending at local restaurants and other businesses. Building a headquarters hotel will transform tourism in New Orleans and fulfill a vision that has been in the works for years.”

Omni has been the Authority’s chosen partner since 2018 and is a leading expert in convention center headquarters hotels, having developed seven similar properties in other cities, all exceeding expectations. Omni’s investment of $500 million to finance the project demonstrates its commitment to delivering the hotel.

Negotiations will continue and be completed, with a final agreement to be ready for the Authority’s review and consideration by the end of 2024. Design and construction will begin in 2025, with an expected opening in 2028-2029.

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