DDD:July 24, 2009 Newsletter Content

What's Up Downtown July 24, 2009

		DDD to Promote Downtown New Orleans to Digital Media Mavens at 2009 SIGGRAPH Conference, August 4-6 Downtown New Orleans will host its third SIGGRAPH conference and exhibition, a five-day experience that brings together thousands of international computer graphics and interactive techniques professionals. "With its history rich in the arts and music, New Orleans is the quintessential SIGGRAPH host city. It will have hosted SIGGRAPH now three times and the tourism experience is even better than before," says Jerome Solomon, SIGGRAPH 2009 Outreach Chair. The DDD will participate in the SIGGRAPH exhibition, showcasing Downtown's assets and promoting the area as a growing hub for Industries of the Mind --digital media, biosciences, and arts-based businesses. "SIGGRAPH is a great opportunity for us to showcase New Orleans to a highly-educated, creative audience. Tens of thousands of conference attendees will visit Downtown New Orleans. This group--which could be referred to as the "laptop economy"-- has a unique ability to live and work from anywhere in the world. All they need is a computer and an internet connection. We want to show them how and why New Orleans is becoming more and more creative business friendly," says DDD President & CEO Kurt Weigle. For more information on SIGGRAPH, click here.

		Booming BioScience Industry Attracts Two Major Medical Conventions to Downtown New Orleans Downtown New Orleans' booming bioscience industry has lured two major medical conventions to New Orleans for 2013 and 2017. The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau announced that Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) will bring a meeting to New Orleans in 2013 and the American Academy of Ophthalmology will hold meetings in 2013 and 2017. "Our plan to return [to New Orleans] in 2013 reflects our confidence in the city, the excellent convention facilities and its exciting collection of hotels," said R. Norris Orms, HIMSS executive vice president and chief operating officer. The New Orleans BioInnovation Center broke ground on Canal Street in 2008 and the Louisiana Cancer Research Center broke ground earlier this year. For more information on the DDD's Industries of the Mind, click here.

		Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Gathering Brings 37,000 Youth to Downtown New Orleans Downtown foot and vehicular traffic will be affected through Sunday, July 26 as approximately 37,000 Lutheran youth attend the "Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Youth Gathering" at Downtown's Convention Center and Superdome. The theme of the event is "Jesus+Justice+Jazz," and over 3,000 different congregations are represented. Attendees will be walking to all of their destinations, so residents and visitors of Downtown are encouraged to use caution when driving and expect some minor delays at traffic intersections. The gatheing's events will culminate on Sunday at a closing event in the New Orleans Superdome at noon.

		New Orleans Police Department Eighth District Night Out Against Crime Block Party Features Free Food, Drinks, Raffle A benefit for the police officers serving the eighth district will be held on Tuesday, August 4 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Cotton Mill. Co-hosted by recently completed Nine27 Apartments, the event will offer free food, beer and wine from Downtown venues like The Creole Skillet, Gordon Biersch, Sun Ray Grille, The Ugly Dog Saloon, The Rusty Nail, and W.I.N.O. Raffle tickets, sold at the event until 8 p.m., will offer chances to win great raffle prizes, including iPod shuffles, a VIP party at Downtown venue Republic, and restaurant gift certificates. DJ Soul Sister will provide the musical entertainment and all proceeds from the event will benefit "Cops 8."

		Coming Next Week... White Linen Night & Satchmo SummerFest! Next week, a special "Arts and Entertainment" edition of "What's Up Downtown" will be published highlighting two fantastic New Orleans events: Whitney White Linen Night and Satchmo SummerFest. If you have information about an event taking place during either festival that you would like to have considered for "What's Up Downtown", please submit it to Lauren Hotard at lhotard [at] neworleansdowntown.com by Tuesday, July 28 at 2:00 p.m.

		Here's a Little Bit More of What's Up Downtown This Week... Studio-E Salon Event Canal Street's upscale Kerastase Salon, Studio-E, will host a special Kerastase product event through the end of July, with a complimentary Kerastase treatment with every salon service--a value of up to $100. Ogden After Hours Every Thursday evening, experience one of Downtown's most fabulous museums while enjoying live entertainment and a cold cocktail. Click the link above for information on performers. Roosevelt Announces Second Show with Pete Fountain & Tim Laughlin Back by popular demand, the Roosevelt has added a second show with Pete Fountain and Tim Laughlin on August 1 in the Blue Room. The first show, set for July 31, sold out after only one day. The Roosevelt is also thanking locals for their continued support by offering a special summer rate of just $119 per night. Refer to the "Locals First" package at booking. Harrah's Gives Guests More Reasons to Love New Orleans Cooking demonstrations, concerts, and movie screenings on Fulton Square, all free and open to the public, will make warm summer nights more enjoyable for visitors to Downtown's Harrah's Hotel and Casino. Click the link above for programming information, including dates, times, and performers. Enjoy!

For more information on any of the articles featured in What's Up Downtown, or to submit an item for consideration, contact Lauren Hotard at lhotard[at]neworleansdowntown.com.