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2006 New York Investor and News Media Mission

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In the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, LED pursued an aggressive communications strategy to inform key decision makers about the state's plan to boldly move Louisiana's economy forward, promote federal and state incentives and dispel misconceptions about the state's overall condition for investment. In October 2006, as part of this strategy, LED conducted a comprehensive mission to New York City to increase investors' awareness of, and sustain media interest in, Louisiana as a "state of opportunity" for investment.

Key spokespeople recruited for the New York mission included former Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu, LED Assistant Secretary Don Pierson and business leaders from Louisiana companies and the state's Committee of 100. The anchor event took place at Bloomberg headquarters in Manhattan: a formal networking reception with more than 200 guests, branded with the theme Louisiana Forward. Attendees included Louisiana business leaders and NY-based Louisiana luminaries interacting with potential investors and news media representatives to deliver the state's key messages personally.

In addition to the Bloomberg reception, LED's week-long itinerary included interviews with four of NYC's major investment banking houses, a private dinner at Café Gray for site consultants, former Governor Blanco opening the NY Board of Trade's Sugar Market and Lt. Governor Landrieu opening the NY Board of Trade's Coffee Market.

As a result of the mission, LED officials gained qualified leads for at least six major projects. LED's media interviews, including former Governor Blanco's live interview on Bloomberg's Money & Politics, resulted in immediate stories by Bloomberg News, Multi-Housing News and Reuters and generated fodder for future coverage of Louisiana's investment opportunities including requests from The New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune and Financial Week.