by Cyndy Liedtke Hogan

New Orleans stands ready to host the next NLC Congress of Cities and Exposition in November 2007.

?We are excited in New Orleans to have you come to our city,? said New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin at the 2006 Congress of Cities Delegates Luncheon in Reno, Nev. ?I am confident you will feel you made a good decision.?

Nagin gave delegates an update on how the city is doing more than a year after Hurricane Katrina, and described how the convention and tourism industry is back up and running.

New Orleans has been the site of several major conventions in the past few months, including the National Association of Realtors last month, which drew 30,000 people.

NLC was the first group to recommit to holding its national conference in New Orleans; NLC stated its recommitment to the conference, scheduled for November 13-17, 2007, six weeks after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city.

?We plan to put on a good show for you,? Nagin said. ?Our city has gone through a lot and your statement is one of confidence to us and our citizens that we truly appreciate.?

The city has 30,000 hotel rooms ready, 98 percent of restaurants that attract convention-goers are back and 97 percent of medium and large businesses are open.

The city?s general sales tax revenues are at 80 percent of pre-Katrina levels, and all utilities have been restored, he said.

For next year, about 70 percent of the convention business expected before Katrina is in place. Officials expect convention business to be at 90 percent of pre-Katrina levels in 2008, Nagin said.

?We?re on our way back and every day gets a little bit better,? Nagin said. ?We are now back, and our city?s noises and its rhythms are back to where they used to be.?

In closing, Nagin encouraged NLC members to contribute to the New Orleans economy next year.

?Brings lots of money, eat lots of food and don?t forget to pay your New Orleans taxes at Harrah?s Casino,? he added.