NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA) has received six highly-coveted “Excellence in Economic Development” awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), further exemplifying a transformational year of community investment, growth, and impact for the organization and the City of New Orleans.

IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year’s most influential leaders. 25 award categories honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities.

IEDC received over 500 submissions from 4 countries, which were judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers following the nomination process held earlier this year. 

NOLABA was recognized with one of its highest total number of awards to date at the Excellence in Economic Development Awards Ceremony during the IEDC Annual Conference, which was held yesterday, October 5. For the second consecutive year, the organization received several top industry honors representing not just programmatic and leadership wins, but also the impact of its various media, including:

GOLD AWARD

1. COVID-19 Economic Impact Dashboard – Digital Media Category

SILVER AWARD

1. Get Shift Done NOLA – Resiliency, Recovery and Mitigation Category
2. InvestNOLA Virtual Training Series – Entrepreneurship Category
3. Virtual Industry Site Tours – Special Event Category

BRONZE AWARD

1. New Orleans Health Innovators Challenge (NOLAHI) – Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Initiatives Category
2. AdvancingCities Video – Multimedia/Video Promotion Category

“These awards, while impressive, are even more remarkable because it shows the rest of the nation that New Orleans is a city ripe with talent, innovation, and opportunities for growth,” said NOLABA’s Interim President & CEO Norman E. Barnum, IV. “At the end of the day, it’s all about impact. And I couldn’t be more proud of this team for what they’ve been able to accomplish for their fellow New Orleanians. This is only the start of a new and exciting chapter for NOLABA and the city we love.”

“The winners of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the best of economic development and exemplify the leadership that our profession strives for every day,” said 2021 IEDC Board Chair and Invest Buffalo Niagara, President, and CEO Tom Kucharski. “We’re honored to recognize the more than 100 communities whose marketing submissions, projects, and partnerships have improved regional quality of life.”

For more information about IEDC, or to view the full list of honorees, visit iedconline.org.

For more information about NOLABA and its economic development initiatives, visit nolaba.org.