# Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (Morial CC New Orleans) — Facility Engineering, Utility Rates & Corridor Dossier
- **Canonical Dossier:** https://conventions.com/venues/ernest-n-morial-convention-center-new-orleans
- **Address:** 900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
- **Operator:** New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Exhibition Hall Authority (http://mccno.com/)
- **Facility Type & Labor:** Public Mega-Campus Convention Center (1.1M Contiguous Sq. Ft.) | Right-to-Work State
- **Airport Access:** MSY (22 mins from Louis Armstrong New Orleans Int'l (MSY))
- **Total Exhibit Space:** 1,100,000 contiguous single-level net sq. ft. (Halls B–J) | **Largest Contiguous:** 1,100,000 sq. ft. unbroken ground-level slab (largest contiguous in U.S.)
- **Meeting Space:** 1,400,000+ sq. ft. (incl. 60,300 sq. ft. Great Hall & 4,000-seat theater) (140 configurable meeting rooms)
- **Max Clear Height:** 26' 4" – 65' 0" | **Loading Docks:** High-capacity marshaled freight docks & drive-in doors
- **Walkable Rooms (10-Min Ring):** 6,400+ Warehouse Arts District & Riverfront rooms
- **Published Space Rate Benchmark:** Published municipal / resort license tariff (F&B & room-block offsets available)
- **Certifications:** Right-to-Work State, GBAC STAR Accredited Facility, Exhibitor Self-Unloading Friendly, Direct MSY Airlift (22 mins from Louis Armstrong New Orleans Int'l)
## Facility Overview
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA) is a flagship 65,000-capacity public mega-campus convention center (1.1m contiguous sq. ft.) in New Orleans, LA, delivering 1,100,000 contiguous single-level net sq. ft. (Halls B–J) of exhibition space (1,100,000 sq. ft. unbroken ground-level slab (largest contiguous in U.S.)), 1,400,000+ sq. ft. (incl. 60,300 sq. ft. Great Hall & 4,000-seat theater) total conference footprint, 140 configurable meeting rooms, 26' 4" – 65' 0" ceiling clearance, and 22 mins from Louis Armstrong New Orleans Int'l (MSY).
## Hall-by-Hall Capacities & Structural Specs
| Hall / Ballroom | Type | Net Sq Ft | Clear Height | Floor Load | Max 10x10 Booths | Theater / Banquet |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Morial CC New Orleans Primary Hall, Bowl & Main Event Space | Exhibit Hall | 1,100,000 sq. ft. unbroken ground-level slab (largest contiguous in U.S.) | 26' 4" – 65' 0" | 200–350 lbs/sq. ft. | ~4,642 booths / sponsor activations | Up to 65,000 Theater/Reception (39,000 Seated) |
| Morial CC New Orleans Breakout Suites, VIP Lounges & Pre-Function Foyers | Meeting Wing | 1,400,000+ sq. ft. (incl. 60,300 sq. ft. Great Hall & 4,000-seat theater) | 26' 4" – 65' 0" | 150–250 lbs/sq. ft. | Registration counters & tabletop sponsor demos | 140 configurable meeting rooms |
## Published Building Utility, Drayage & Internet Rate Benchmarks
| Utility / Service | Exclusive Provider & Union | Advance Rate Benchmark | Late / Floor Order Penalty | Cost-Control Tip |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Electrical Drops (120V / 208V) & Dedicated Event Internet | In-House Facility Utilities (Right-to-Work State) | ~$165–$460 (5A–20A 120V power) • ~$1,100–$3,500+ (hardwired Ethernet) | +25% to +45% floor surcharge after 21–30 day advance cutoff | Always submit electrical and internet orders prior to the 30-day advance discount deadline. |
## Union Jurisdictions & Self-Work Rules
- **Morial CC New Orleans Labor Policy (Right-to-Work State) (Ernest N. Morial Convention Center operates in a Right-to-Work State environment; exhibitors may hand-carry personal display items in one trip via main public doors while crated freight routes through marshaled convention docks.):** Self-work permitted: Morial CC New Orleans Exhibitor Carry-In Policy (Right-to-Work State): One exhibitor badge-holder may hand-carry personal display materials or a single rolling luggage case in one trip through main public/hotel entrances without drayage charges; two-wheel dollies, pushcarts, and crated dock deliveries route through official material-handling labor. | Hired labor required: Crated dock freight, forklift handling, overhead ceiling rigging, and main sub-floor electrical distribution.
## Walkable Corridor Hotels
| Hotel | Connection | Show-Week Rate | Off-Peak Rate | Total Rooms |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Hilton New Orleans Riverside | 3-Min Riverwalk Connector to Hall A | ~$289/nt | ~$169/nt | 1,622 |
| Omni Riverfront Hotel New Orleans | Directly Across Convention Center Blvd | ~$279/nt | ~$165/nt | 202 |
| New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District | Directly Across from Halls E–G | ~$285/nt | ~$169/nt | 332 |
| Loews New Orleans Hotel | 7-Min Walk on Poydras / Arts District | ~$299/nt | ~$179/nt | 285 |
## Corridor VIP Private Dining & Full-Venue Buyouts
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Walk / Transit | Private Capacity | F&B Minimum Band |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Emeril's | Refined Contemporary Creole ($$$$) | 3-min walk from Morial Halls D–F | 14–120 Guests (Wine Room & Salon) | $5,500 – $28,000+ |
| Cochon & Calcasieu Private Events | Elevated Cajun & Wood-Fired ($$$) | 3-min walk from Morial Hall E | 20–180 Guests (Dedicated Calcasieu Lofts) | $4,000 – $22,000+ |
| Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse | USDA Prime Steaks & Creole Classics ($$$$) | 6-min rideshare / 14-min walk | 18–160 Guests | $4,800 – $25,000+ |
## Badge-Free Executive Deal Suites & Campus OOH Media
- **Connected Headquarters Hotel Hospitality Suites (Morial CC New Orleans) (Off-Floor Deal Suite (No Badge Req.)):** $1,500 – $5,500/day — 2–6 min indoor/skybridge walk from the exhibit floor (15–80 VIPs (Executive Parlours & Meeting Suites)). Host back-to-back C-suite deal meetings steps from the floor without requiring guests to hold an expo badge.
- **Morial CC New Orleans Concourse Digital Screens & Airport Arrival Media (Out-of-Home (OOH) Branding Asset):** $15,000 – $75,000 / show week — Main Registration Escalators & MSY Arrival Corridor (100% of arriving conference attendees). High-impact category ownership across main escalators, skybridges, and rideshare arrival zones.
## Flagship Hosted Conventions
- [AAOS Annual Meeting 2026](https://conventions.com/events/aaos-orthopaedic-surgeons-new-orleans) — March 2026 / Rotational New Orleans Anchor (24,000+ Attendees)
- [WEFTEC New Orleans 2026](https://conventions.com/events/weftec-water-environment-new-orleans) — October 5–7, 2026 (21,000+ Attendees)
- [International WorkBoat Show 2026](https://conventions.com/events/international-workboat-show-new-orleans) — December 2–4, 2026 (15,000+ Attendees)
- [POWERGEN International 2027](https://conventions.com/events/powergen-international-new-orleans) — January 2027 (12,000+ Attendees)
## Verified Facility FAQs
### What are the labor and exhibitor hand-carry rules at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center?
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center operates in a Right-to-Work State environment; exhibitors may hand-carry personal display items in one trip via main public doors while crated freight routes through marshaled convention docks. Morial CC New Orleans Exhibitor Carry-In Policy (Right-to-Work State): One exhibitor badge-holder may hand-carry personal display materials or a single rolling luggage case in one trip through main public/hotel entrances without drayage charges; two-wheel dollies, pushcarts, and crated dock deliveries route through official material-handling labor.
*Source: Morial CC New Orleans Exhibitor & Operations Guidelines*
### Which hotels and private dining buyouts are closest to Morial CC New Orleans?
Morial CC New Orleans offers 6,400+ Warehouse Arts District & Riverfront rooms within a 10-minute walk/skybridge plus 3 vetted corridor steakhouses and full-venue buyouts. Federal FY 2027 GSA Per-Diem for New Orleans is $179/night lodging and $80/day M&IE.
*Source: Conventions.com Venue Corridor Audit*
### When is the best value window to book an event at Morial CC New Orleans?
Peak compression months are January – March, May, September – October (recommended lead time: 9–24 months for major programs; 4–9 months for 200–1,000 guest meetings). Best value negotiation window: June – August & Mid-December (25%–40% space & room-block leverage).
*Source: Conventions.com Site-Selection Desk*