Alita Caparotta Named as Interim CEO for New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Elaine Williams to Serve as Interim CCO

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Alita Caparotta Named as Interim CEO for New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Elaine Williams to Serve as Interim CCO

11/21/2024
NEW ORLEANS – Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority (Authority) announced on Wednesday that Chief Administrative Officer Alita G. Caparotta will serve as interim CEO and President of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC). Caparotta has held leadership roles with the NOENMCC for 24 years and will maintain current responsibilities as the Chief Administrative Officer.

“Alita understands the Convention Center’s mission and strategic goals as an economic driver for the city and the state. As a board, we have full confidence that she will continue her record of strong leadership,” said Russell W. Allen, president of the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority. “We want to thank Mike again for his approach and vision at the Convention Center and wish him well in his upcoming role at the Audubon Nature Institute.”

Earlier this year, Chief Commercial Officer Tim Hemphill announced his plans to transition to “flextirement,” a new Convention Center policy that allows him to work part-time and continue to contribute to the Convention Center. During his 17-year tenure, Hemphill has led in positioning NOENMCC as a top-tier meeting destination for international and national meeting planners, as well as proven the immense value the Convention Center brings to its neighbors and the state and city’s economy.

Senior Director of Sales and Event Services Elaine Williams, CMP, CEM-AP, has been appointed interim Chief Commercial Officer. With nearly two decades of experience at the NOENMCC, Williams brings expertise in both sales and operations to the CCO role.

“It has been an honor to learn and work alongside Mike, and I want to thank him for his contributions to the Convention Center and dedication to the success of our hospitality and tourism sector,” said Caparotta. “I am grateful to the Authority commissioners for their trust and support as we move forward and welcome Elaine into her role as acting CCO. Together, we will continue to build on our momentum as a city built to host world-class events.”

Over the coming weeks, the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority will be reviewing these positions carefully and assessing how best to move forward.

About the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority
The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority’s (Authority) exclusive mission is to finance, construct and operate facilities in order to attract and conduct conventions, trade shows and other events that support and expand the economy of both the State of Louisiana and New Orleans Region. The Authority is composed of a 13-member board of commissioners, ten appointed by the Governor of Louisiana, and three appointed by the Mayor of New Orleans. Since 1985, event activity at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has produced $90.1 billion in economic impact since its 1985 opening, including $5.7 billion in new tax revenue for state and local governments.

About the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
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. www.mccno.com

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