Hospitality professionals gathered to celebrate their training, connect with industry peers and
gear up to welcome visitors for the Super Bowl
NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) held two “Host Like a Champion” pep rallies on January 29, 2025. The Host Like a Champion program was designed to prepare the hospitality industry for upcoming events including Super Bowl LIX.
Developed in partnership with New Orleans & Company, the Convention Center’s innovative training is equipping frontline employees and managers to play a vital role in delivering an unparalleled guest experience during the city’s largest events. The pep rallies were the culmination of the training program, bringing participants together to recognize their accomplishments and celebrate their commitment, strengthen team morale and set them up to welcome visitors with true Southern hospitality with an unmistakable New Orleans flair.
“The Host Like a Champion program embodies the spirit of New Orleans — where hospitality is not just a service, but a tradition,” said Convention Center Assistant Director of Talent Development and Innovation Kelli Zohar-Davis, who produced the program. “Through this initiative, we are equipping our frontline hospitality professionals with tools and confidence to deliver an unforgettable experience for Super Bowl visitors. Today’s pep rallies were a celebration of their hard work and dedication. As we prepare to welcome the world to our city, we know their passion for New Orleans culture and service expertise will create memorable experiences for every visitor they encounter.”
In addition to celebrating hospitality workers, the Host Like a Champion pep rallies highlighted the impact of this specialized training in preparing to deliver world-class service leading up to Super Bowl LIX on February 9. Attendees engaged with industry leaders, shared best practices and gained insight into how New Orleans’ unique hospitality culture sets the city apart on an international stage. Energizing participants with exciting prize giveaways and entertainment — from the Dillard University cheer squad, the Edna Karr High School marching band and others — the pep rallies were designed to inspire excellence for workers gearing up to welcome locals and fans from around the world.
The Host Like a Champion program underscores the Convention Center’s unwavering commitment to supporting the local hospitality industry, proving that New Orleans truly is Built to Host.
For more information about the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, visit mccno.com.
About the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC)
New Orleans is Built to Host! With 1.1 million square feet of prime exhibit space on one level, all under one roof, NOENMCC is tied for the sixth-largest convention center in the United States. NOENMCC is a 2025 Exhibitor Magazine Centers of Excellence recipient and is consistently named a regional top workplace by The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. A recent LEED Gold certification makes NOENMCC the largest LEED-certified project in Louisiana and the largest convention center project in the U.S. certified under LEED v4.1 Operations and Maintenance, as well as the first convention center in the world to be awarded initial certification under LEED Gold v4.1 O+M. A leading contributor to the city’s robust tourism economy, NOENMCC event activity has produced $90.1 billion in economic impact since its 1985 opening.
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