Walt Leger from New Orleans & Company joins the show to discuss the excitement and activities in New Orleans as the city hosts the Super Bowl. He mentions that the week has been fantastic, with all events going smoothly and the city receiving positive feedback from visitors. The hotel, restaurant, and venue communities have been performing well, and the city continues to welcome more people as the weekend approaches.
Leger highlights the NFL Honors event at the Sanger Theater as a significant highlight, where he enjoyed walking the red carpet and witnessing the presentation of the NFL Man of the Year award by Steve Gleason and Drew Brees. He also mentions spending a lot of time at the Media Center, promoting the city and handling media interactions.
The conversation touches on the setup at the Convention Center, where the NFL Experience and Media Center are located. Leger notes that the space is well-organized, allowing for better operation compared to other cities. He appreciates the spaciousness and the presence of various organizations setting up podcast and TV streaming stages.
Additionally, Leger talks about the Louisiana Now pavilion, which has been packed with people and events. He mentions the governor hosting events and the positive impact on local businesses and networking opportunities. Overall, the week has been exciting and rewarding for the city, with hopes for continued success as the Super Bowl approaches its climax.
Leger also discusses the importance of maintaining the momentum after the Super Bowl, emphasizing that every event hosted in New Orleans is significant for the organizations involved. He highlights the economic impact of these events and the importance of ensuring their success to attract future business to the city.