# New Orleans, LA — Flagship City Convention, Subvention & Exhibitor Dossier (2026–2027)

- **Canonical URL:** https://conventions.com/cities/new-orleans
- **CityScore™ Rating:** 9.0 / 10 (Tier-1 LA Right-to-Work Convention & Corporate Corridor)
- **Primary CVB / Authority:** Visit New Orleans CVB
- **Local Ground Director Desk:** Sara Chaval · National & New Orleans Ground Desk · (702) 576-1312 (Operated by ConventionPeople.com — Get your New Orleans numbers in 60 seconds — Local Booth, Crew, Master Room Block & VIP Buyout Pricing)
- **Citywide Hall License Range:** $0.34–$0.52 / net sq. ft. (Municipal Standard)
- **CVB Subvention & Master Block Rebate:** 50%–100% Hall License Subvention w/ 1,500+ Peak Room Nights in New Orleans + $30/nt Master Block Rebate
- **Banquet Tax & Service-Charge Multiplier:** 9.45% Retail Sales Tax + 25% Banquet Service Charge (~35.8% Compounded '++' Multiplier)
- **Hotel Occupancy Tax & Resort Fee Rule:** 16.2% Combined New Orleans Hotel Occupancy & Tourism Assessment
- **20A Electrical Drop vs. Commercial Grid:** $315–$420 / 20A Floor Drop vs. 11.6¢/kWh (EIA State Commercial) (42× Markup)
- **Typical 10×10 All-In Booth Benchmark:** ~$8,250 (Save ~$2,450 w/ Local EAC Crew)
- **Zero-Drayage Turnkey CloudBooth™:** $3,995 Flat (Locally warehoused in New Orleans, Net-60 FinTech terms)
- **FY2027 GSA Per-Diem Cap:** $171–$211/nt (Seasonal) Lodging • $74/day M&IE (Show-week corridor average: $259–$369/nt Show Week (New Orleans Convention Corridor))
- **Airport Corridor Transfers:** MSY (Louis Armstrong New Orleans International) to New Orleans Convention Corridor: ~18 mins ($24–$38 rideshare)
- **24/7 Emergency Trauma Center:** Primary Downtown Level I/II Trauma Center within 10 minutes of New Orleans Convention Halls

## 1. Citywide Operational, Labor, Tax & Corridor Master Spec Sheet

| Destination Dimension | Verified New Orleans Spec | Promoter & Exhibitor Financial Impact / Rule |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Primary Convention Campuses** | 11+ Major Convention & Resort Campuses in New Orleans | Ernest N. Morial Convention Center • New Orleans Morial Convention Center • Sheraton New Orleans Hotel • Hyatt Regency New Orleans • Hilton New Orleans Riverside • New Orleans Marriott • Astor Crowne Plaza - French Quarter • The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans • Caesars Superdome (Arena Floor Expo & Mega-Keynote Stadium) • Hyatt Regency New Orleans (Poydras & Superdome Campus) • Hilton New Orleans Riverside (Adjacent to Morial Hall A) |
| **Promoter Hall License & Subvention** | $0.34–$0.52 / net sq. ft. (Municipal Standard) | 50%–100% Hall License Subvention w/ 1,500+ Peak Room Nights in New Orleans + $30/nt Master Block Rebate |
| **Hotel Inventory & Occupancy Tax** | 7,268+ Verified Convention Hotel Keys across 7 HQ Properties | 16.2% Combined New Orleans Hotel Occupancy & Tourism Assessment |
| **Labor Jurisdiction & Union Scale** | $112–$158/hr GSC Floor Rate (Right-to-Work (IATSE Local 39 Stage/Rigging)) | $33.50/hr BLS Base Wage vs. $112–$158/hr GSC Floor Rate (Right-to-Work (IATSE Local 39 Stage/Rigging)) Official GSC Rate vs. $88–$110/hr Local EAC Crew |
| **Banquet F&B & Tax Multipliers** | 9.45% Retail Sales Tax + 25% Banquet Service Charge (~35.8% Compounded '++' Multiplier) | Save 30%–38% hosting VIP reception buyouts at walkable steakhouses within 5 minutes of New Orleans halls |
| **Electrical & Utility Markup** | 11.6¢/kWh (EIA State Commercial) vs. $315–$420 / 20A Floor Drop | 42× markup over state commercial grid • Order 21+ days before move-in to avoid 30% floor surcharge |
| **Airport Airlift & Corridor Transit** | MSY (Louis Armstrong New Orleans International) • ~18 Min Transfer ($24–$38) | MSY (Louis Armstrong New Orleans International) to New Orleans Convention Corridor: ~18 mins ($24–$38 rideshare) |
| **Emergency Care & FY27 GSA Per-Diem** | $171–$211/nt (Seasonal) • $74/day M&IE | Primary Downtown Level I/II Trauma Center within 10 minutes of New Orleans Convention Halls • Show-week walkable corridor rates: $259–$369/nt Show Week (New Orleans Convention Corridor) |

## 2. 4.3× Union Labor & Drayage Markup Receipt (New Orleans, LA)

| Trade / Union Local | BLS Median Base Wage | Official GSC Show-Floor Bill Rate | Markup Multiple | Conventions.com Local Crew | Jurisdiction & Self-Install Rule |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Display Carpenter (Booth Build / I&D) (Local Carpenter Scale)** | $31.40 / hr | $118.00 ST / $177.00 OT | 3.8× Markup | $82.00 / hr (Save 31%) | Full-time exhibitor employees may also self-install in Right-to-Work halls |
| **Show-Floor Electrician (Facility Electrical Contractor)** | $34.80 / hr | $128.00 ST / $192.00 OT | 3.7× Markup | $88.00 / hr (Pre-Wired) | Order 20A floor drop before advance deadline to avoid 30% floor surcharge |
| **Material Handling & Drayage (Official GSC Freight Desk)** | $28.50 / hr | $128–$158 / CWT (Right-to-Work Dock Scale) | 4.0× Markup | $0 Drayage w/ $3,995 CloudBooth™ | Locally warehoused in New Orleans with direct dock delivery |

## 3. Intra-City Major Convention Campus Comparison (New Orleans, LA)

| Campus | Exhibit & Gross Sq. Ft. | Ballrooms & Breakout Rooms | Largest Contiguous Hall | Labor Regime | 10-Min Walkable Rooms | Hall License / F&B Rule | 10×10 All-In |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Ernest N. Morial Convention Center** | 1,100,000 sq. ft. | 308,000 sq. ft. (140 configurable breakout rooms) | 600,000 sq. ft. | Right-to-Work State • $112–$158/hr GSC Floor Rate (Right-to-Work (IATSE Local 39 Stage/Rigging)) (82 freight dock bays + drive-in roll-up portal • 32' 0" – 40' 0") | 7,268+ convention corridor rooms (Anchored by Hyatt Regency New Orleans) | ~$0.34–$0.52 / net sq. ft. per show day (50%–100% Visit New Orleans CVB Subvention) | ~$7,800 (10×10 All-In w/ Drayage & 20A Power Est.) |
| **New Orleans Morial Convention Center** | 1,100,000 sq. ft. | 308,000 sq. ft. (140 configurable breakout rooms) | 400,000 sq. ft. | Right-to-Work State • $112–$158/hr GSC Floor Rate (Right-to-Work (IATSE Local 39 Stage/Rigging)) (79 freight dock bays + drive-in roll-up portal • 32' 0" – 40' 0") | 7,268+ convention corridor rooms (Anchored by Hyatt Regency New Orleans) | ~$0.34–$0.52 / net sq. ft. per show day (50%–100% Visit New Orleans CVB Subvention) | ~$8,400 (10×10 All-In w/ Drayage & 20A Power Est.) |
| **Caesars Superdome (Arena Floor Expo & Mega-Keynote Stadium)** | 166,180 sq. ft. unobstructed stadium floor | 220,000+ sq. ft. (floor + 4 renovated club lounges) (50+ club lounges, suites & press rooms) | 166,180 sq. ft. column-free domed floor | In-House Banquet & Rigging (+35.8% '++' Load • Carpeted Ballroom; 273' 0" Domed Clear) | 2,793 In-House Tower Keys (Direct Elevator to Ballroom Level) | $0 Ballroom Waiver w/ 80% Room Block & $470,000+ F&B Min (Est.) | ~$6,300 (8×10 / 10×10 Ballroom Package Est.) |
| **Sheraton New Orleans Hotel** | 105,996 sq. ft. | 29,679 sq. ft. (60 configurable breakout rooms) | 28,001 sq. ft. | In-House Banquet & Rigging (+35.8% '++' Load • Carpeted Ballroom; 20' 0" – 26' 0") | 1,154 In-House Tower Keys (Direct Elevator to Ballroom Level) | $0 Ballroom Waiver w/ 80% Room Block & $100,000+ F&B Min (Est.) | ~$5,600 (8×10 / 10×10 Ballroom Package Est.) |
| **New Orleans Marriott** | 86,849 sq. ft. | 24,318 sq. ft. (50 configurable breakout rooms) | 27,089 sq. ft. | In-House Banquet & Rigging (+35.8% '++' Load • Carpeted Ballroom; 25' 0" – 25' 0") | 918 In-House Tower Keys (Direct Elevator to Ballroom Level) | $0 Ballroom Waiver w/ 80% Room Block & $90,000+ F&B Min (Est.) | ~$5,950 (8×10 / 10×10 Ballroom Package Est.) |
| **Hilton New Orleans Riverside (Adjacent to Morial Hall A)** | 53,000 sq. ft. Churchill, Grand & Jefferson Ballrooms | 130,000 sq. ft. (55 meeting suites (1,622 guest rooms)) | 26,894 sq. ft. Grand Ballroom | In-House Banquet & Rigging (+35.8% '++' Load • Carpeted Ballroom; 20' 0") | 1,321 In-House Tower Keys (Direct Elevator to Ballroom Level) | $0 Ballroom Waiver w/ 80% Room Block & $105,000+ F&B Min (Est.) | ~$5,750 (8×10 / 10×10 Ballroom Package Est.) |
| **Hyatt Regency New Orleans (Poydras & Superdome Campus)** | 50,000 sq. ft. Celestin/Empire Ballrooms + 80,000 sq. ft. Elite Hall | 200,000 sq. ft. (64 breakout suites (1,193 guest rooms)) | 80,000 sq. ft. Elite Exhibit Hall + two 25,000 sq. ft. ballrooms | In-House Banquet & Rigging (+35.8% '++' Load • Carpeted Ballroom; 22' 0") | 1,727 In-House Tower Keys (Direct Elevator to Ballroom Level) | $0 Ballroom Waiver w/ 80% Room Block & $240,000+ F&B Min (Est.) | ~$6,650 (8×10 / 10×10 Ballroom Package Est.) |
| **The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans** | 42,184 sq. ft. | 11,812 sq. ft. (27 configurable breakout rooms) | 7,448 sq. ft. | Right-to-Work State • Streamlined Marshaling (5 freight dock bays + drive-in roll-up portal • 20' 0" – 26' 0") | 2,880+ District Rooms (Anchored by Hyatt Regency New Orleans) | $0.27–$0.41/net sf Civic Tariff (Move-In Days Waived w/ Room Block) | ~$7,900 (10×10 Regional Hall All-In Est.) |
| **Astor Crowne Plaza - French Quarter** | 32,000 sq. ft. | 8,960 sq. ft. (4 configurable breakout rooms) | 8,468 sq. ft. | Right-to-Work State • Streamlined Marshaling (6 freight dock bays + drive-in roll-up portal • 20' 0" – 24' 0") | 250+ District Rooms (Anchored by Hyatt Regency New Orleans) | $0.27–$0.41/net sf Civic Tariff (Move-In Days Waived w/ Room Block) | ~$7,800 (10×10 Regional Hall All-In Est.) |
| **Caesars New Orleans** | 47,000 sq. ft. | 8 Breakout Rooms | 20,000 sq. ft. Ballroom | In-House Banquet & Encore AV (+35.8% '++' Load • Non-Union Carpeted Ballroom) | 790 In-House Peak Keys (Elevator to Foyers) | $0 Space Waiver w/ 80% Room Block & $80,000+ F&B Min (Est.) | ~$7,200 (8×10 / 10×10 Ballroom Inline Est.) |

## 4. Multi-City Competitor Site-Selection Matrix

| City | Labor & Scale | Self-Install Rule | Hall License & Subvention | Hotel & Banquet Tax | 20A Electrical Drop | Walkable Rooms |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Las Vegas, NV** | NV Union Contracts • $148–$225/hr GSC (vs. $34.18 BLS) | Pop-Up Only (<100 sf) • Strict Teamsters 631 Dock | $0.37–$0.55/sf (LVCC) or $0 w/ Resort Block | 13.38% Room Tax + $48 Resort Fee • 33.4% BEO Load | $385–$445 (48× Grid) | 150,000+ Rooms (48,500+ Connected) |
| **Phoenix, AZ** | AZ Right-to-Work • $108–$134/hr GSC (vs. $31.40 BLS) | Full Self-Install & Hand-Carry Allowed | $0.32–$0.48/sf (50%–100% CVB Subvention) | 12.57% Room Tax ($0 Resort Fee) • 33.6% BEO Load | $295–$385 (42× Grid) | 6,000+ Copper Square Walkable Rooms |
| **Orlando, FL** | FL Right-to-Work • $104–$128/hr GSC | Full Self-Install Allowed (Up to 300+ sf) | $0.30–$0.45/sf (Visit Orlando Subvention) | 12.50% Room Tax + $38 Resort Fee • 32.5% BEO Load | $285–$365 (41× Grid) | 12,500+ I-Drive Walkable (130,000 Metro) |
| **New Orleans, LA** | $112–$158/hr GSC Floor Rate (Right-to-Work (IATSE Local 39 Stage/Rigging)) | Standard Hand-Carry & Pop-Up Permitted | $0.34–$0.52 / net sq. ft. (Municipal Standard) | 16.2% Combined New Orleans Hotel Occupancy & Tourism Assessment | $315–$420 / 20A Floor Drop (42× Grid) | 7,268+ Verified Convention Hotel Keys across 7 HQ Properties |

## 5. Mapped New Orleans Trade Shows & 12-Month Surge Calendar (17 Shows)

- **Society of Critical Care Medicine Annual Congress 2026** (Feb 15–18, 2026) — Sheraton New Orleans Hotel • 5,000+ B2B Attendees • 1.5× In-House Block ($270–$370/nt) • $35–$50/sf (~$5,750 10×10 Est.) — https://conventions.com/events/society-of-critical-care-medicine-annual-congress-new-orleans
- **New Orleans Dental Conference & LDA Annual Session 2026** (Apr 9–11, 2026) — Astor Crowne Plaza - French Quarter • 2,500+ B2B Attendees • 1.4× Corridor Block ($265–$355/nt) • $46–$60/sf (~$6,800 10×10 Est.) — https://conventions.com/events/new-orleans-dental-conference
- **NRHA 49th Annual Rural Health Conference 2026** (May 12–15, 2026) — Hyatt Regency New Orleans • 1,100+ B2B Attendees • 1.4× In-House Block ($260–$320/nt) • $35–$46/sf (~$5,800 10×10 Est.) — https://conventions.com/events/nrha-annual-rural-health-conference
- **NASPO Annual Conference 2026** (Sep 13–16, 2026) — Hyatt Regency New Orleans • 750+ B2B Attendees • 1.5× In-House Block ($280–$380/nt) • $33–$48/sf (~$5,200 10×10 Est.) — https://conventions.com/events/naspo-annual-conference
- **WEFTEC 2026** (Sep 26–30, 2026) — New Orleans Morial Convention Center • 22,000+ B2B Attendees • 2.1× Citywide Peak ($370–$420/nt) • $44–$54/sf (~$9,150 10×10 Est.) — https://conventions.com/events/weftec-annual-conference
- **NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience 2026** (Nov 2–11, 2026) — Ernest N. Morial Convention Center • 15,000+ B2B Attendees • 1.9× Campus Ring ($330–$380/nt) • $44–$54/sf (~$8,350 10×10 Est.) — https://conventions.com/events/nar-nxt-realtor-experience
- **75th Annual Tulane Tax Institute 2026** (Nov 11–13, 2026) — The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans • 600+ B2B Attendees • 1.4× Corridor Block ($260–$320/nt) • $41–$52/sf (~$6,500 10×10 Est.) — https://conventions.com/events/75th-annual-tulane-tax-institute-new-orleans
- **The International Workboat Show 2026** (Dec 2–4, 2026) — Ernest N. Morial Convention Center • 12,000+ B2B Attendees • 1.8× Campus Ring ($330–$430/nt) • $49–$64/sf (~$8,900 10×10 Est.) — https://conventions.com/events/international-workboat-show
- **International WorkBoat Show 2026** (December 2–4, 2026) — Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (Halls B–F) • 15,000+ Attendees • 2.2× Campus Ring ($395–$495/nt) • $51–$66/sf (~$9,150 10×10 Est.) — https://conventions.com/events/international-workboat-show-new-orleans
- **SACSCOC Annual Meeting 2026** (Dec 5–8, 2026) — Hyatt Regency New Orleans • 4,200+ B2B Attendees • 1.4× In-House Block ($255–$345/nt) • $34–$48/sf (~$5,300 10×10 Est.) — https://conventions.com/events/sacscoc-annual-meeting-new-orleans
- **ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition 2026** (Dec 12–14, 2026) — Ernest N. Morial Convention Center • 25,000+ B2B Attendees • 2.1× Citywide Peak ($370–$420/nt) • $40–$50/sf (~$7,450 10×10 Est.) — https://conventions.com/events/ash-annual-meeting-exposition
- **Louisiana State Bar Association Midyear Meeting 2027** (Jan 14–16, 2027) — Astor Crowne Plaza - French Quarter • 750+ B2B Attendees • 1.3× Corridor Block ($245–$325/nt) • $43–$56/sf (~$6,700 10×10 Est.) — https://conventions.com/events/lsba-midyear-meeting
- **POWERGEN International 2027** (January 2027) — Ernest N. Morial Convention Center • 12,000+ Attendees • 1.7× Campus Ring ($315–$375/nt) • $51–$62/sf (~$9,600 10×10 Est.) — https://conventions.com/events/powergen-international-new-orleans
- **AAFS 79th Annual Scientific Conference 2027** (Feb 15–20, 2027) — Hilton New Orleans Riverside • 3,500+ B2B Attendees • 1.3× In-House Block ($230–$310/nt) • $35–$48/sf (~$5,450 10×10 Est.) — https://conventions.com/events/aafs-annual-scientific-conference
- **AAOS Annual Meeting 2027** (March 3–6, 2027) — Ernest N. Morial Convention Center • 24,000+ Attendees • 2.0× Citywide Peak ($360–$420/nt) • $47–$58/sf (~$7,750 10×10 Est.) — https://conventions.com/events/aaos-orthopaedic-surgeons-new-orleans
- **NASFAA 2027 National Conference 2027** (Jun 27–30, 2027) — New Orleans Marriott • 2,600+ B2B Attendees • 1.5× In-House Block ($280–$380/nt) • $33–$48/sf (~$5,200 10×10 Est.) — https://conventions.com/events/nasfaa-national-conference
- **WEFTEC New Orleans 2027** (September 25–29, 2027) — Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (Halls B–J) • 21,000+ Attendees • 2.0× Citywide Peak ($360–$420/nt) • $49–$60/sf (~$8,800 10×10 Est.) — https://conventions.com/events/weftec-water-environment-new-orleans