Click below to read the New Orleans Business Alliance’s press release announcing the launch of its “WhyNOLA?” economic development campaign.

The #WhyNOLA campaign also fulfills an idea laid out in Prosperity NOLA, the city’s five-year strategic plan for economic growth launched in 2013. Read on to find out how to become involved.

Local Businesspeople Answer “Why NOLA?” in New Economic Development Campaign

New Orleans, La., November 1, 2016 – Today, the New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA) made public its new campaign to promote the city of New Orleans for business development called #WhyNOLA. The campaign uses the stories of individual members of the business community to communicate why New Orleans is a great place to build a business or a career. It currently includes a series of videos, a blog, social media content, and highly targeted paid digital advertising.  NOLABA will continue to produce new content for the campaign and is encouraging others to share their own stories using the #WhyNOLA hashtag.

“We believe New Orleans offers the ideal intersection of commerce and culture. The proof is in the stories of those who live it every day,” said NOLABA President and CEO Quentin L. Messer, Jr. “WhyNOLA channels our city’s great storytelling tradition through the voices of our business community to answer the questions we often get asked – ‘Why New Orleans?’ What makes New Orleans more than just a great place to visit?’ ”

The campaign is intended as both a local rallying cry to engender native pride and a means of accelerating economic development interest in New Orleans as a place for business investment. NOLABA first began developing #WhyNOLA content over the summer, and initiated a soft launch to key members of the business community in August. It has gathered momentum in the weeks since with businesses starting to tell their own WhyNOLA stories through videos or photos on social media. Stirling Properties and the Greater New Orleans Chamber of Commerce were among the first to climb aboard.

“We encourage anyone in the business community who feels passionate about what they do, and about doing it in New Orleans, to share their WhyNOLA story via social media – a thirty-second video or a photo and a quote with the #WhyNOLA hashtag are enough. We want the world to know what we know: New Orleans is a great place to build a business or a career,” said Messer.

The #WhyNOLA campaign also fulfills an idea laid out in Prosperity NOLA, the city’s five-year strategic plan for economic growth launched in 2013.

“Prosperity NOLA identified the need to reposition the city’s brand as a place for business,” explained Messer. “We feel it’s important to remind our friends and neighbors of the great things happening across the local economy. The more success stories members of the business community know the greater capacity for all of us to be economic development ambassadors.  Outside the city, our cultural brand is already iconic. Unfortunately, perception lags reality when it comes to our brand for business opportunity. When business decision makers see business leaders, business owners and employees telling authentic stories of why New Orleans works for their careers or their businesses, it becomes a much more compelling conversation for us as economic developers.”

For more information on the #WhyNOLA campaign, or to find out how to become involved, visit www.nolaba.org/whynola-campaign.

About the New Orleans Business Alliance

The New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA) is a partnership between the city’s business community and city government. NOLABA is dedicated to cultivating, developing and nurturing a thriving Orleans Parish business community and economy in which all of the city’s residents can participate. Visit www.nolaba.org for more information.