New Orleans Business Alliance’s Homegrown Holidays Campaign Recognized for International Excellence Award, Will Return for 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 28, 2023
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Valerie Huntley
504.338.8566
vhuntley@nolaba.org
| NEW ORLEANS – The International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the largest nonprofit professional association for professional economic developers in the world, has named the New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA) among an impressive group of recipients for its 2023 Excellence Awards. Recognized each year during the IEDC Annual Conference, the awards honor organizations for exemplary economic development marketing campaigns, projects, and programs. NOLABA was honored with a Silver Award in the Resilience, Recovery, & Mitigation Category for its Homegrown Holidays Campaign. NOLABA launched the Homegrown Holidays Campaign in 2021 to support local New Orleans businesses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program encourages Holiday shoppers to spend locally and patronize small businesses within NOLABA’s seven strategic neighborhoods including Algiers, Gentilly, Hollygrove/Gert Town, Lower 9th Ward, New Orleans East, and Tremé. Now in its third year, NOLABA’s Homegrown Holidays initiative provides free marketing support for participating businesses during the busiest shopping season of the year. NOLABA’s Strategic Neighborhood Development team is currently recruiting local businesses in the seven strategic neighborhoods for 2023’s Homegrown Holidays, which kicks off in late November and runs through December. “This recognition of our hard work is truly an honor and shows how creative and innovative local business programming can support equitable economic development,” said Louis David, NOLABA Interim President and CEO. “Homegrown Holidays is a great example of what we do at NOLABA – listen to our local business community and work together to design and implement programs that help them thrive. This award is the result of a collective effort with our many partners, including all of our Homegrown Holidays businesses.” The IEDC Awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers from around the world. IEDC received over 500 submissions from the United States and four additional countries around the world. As one of 80 accredited economic development organizations worldwide, NOLABA has been recognized by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) over the years, receiving several awards for the programs and initiatives that they have started to support small businesses and the community of New Orleans. “The New Orleans Business Alliance has raised the bar for excellence in economic development with its Homegrown Holidays program. This award is a testament to NOLABA’s dedication to its residents and serves as a great example of how economic development can help transform a community for the better,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO. “It is IEDC’s honor and privilege to present NOLABA with this award and recognize its leadership and innovation in the field of economic development!” Every year IEDC looks specifically for economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the economic development profession, leading the execution of projects that have a significant impact on revitalizing communities, and playing a major role in shaping and improving the practice of economic development. New Orleans businesses interested in participating in Homegrown Holidays can email NOLABA’s Strategic Neighborhood Development team at snd@nolaba.org or visit nolaba.org/homegrown-holidays/ for more information. ### |
| About New Orleans Business Alliance One of fewer than 80 Accredited Economic Development Organizations worldwide, the New Orleans Business Alliance is the official public-private partnership created to increase economic gains for the city of New Orleans. Through a direct partnership with the City of New Orleans and strong connectivity with the business community, the New Orleans Business Alliance works to ensure the economic security of all New Orleanians by diversifying the local economy, developing local talent, and expanding entrepreneurial opportunity. Through an inclusive economic development strategy, we will create a more equitable and prosperous future for all. Learn more at www.nolaba.org. About the International Economic Development Council IEDC is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,800 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members engage in the full range of economic development practices. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in various settings, including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at iedconline.org. |
