The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) recently announced that Michael J. Sawaya, its President and CEO, has been honored as “CEO of the Year” by Biz New Orleans. The publication annually recognizes the 500 most influential leaders in the regional business community and from that list chooses the Executives of the Year.
Sawaya’s meticulous planning and execution have yielded significant economic benefits and growth prospects — both immediate and long term — for the NOENMCC and the New Orleans region. Since 2018, he pushed forward several major advancements, from advocating for the facility’s $557 million Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), prioritizing nationally recognized sustainability initiatives that lead to a LEED Gold certification, guiding the development of a new $1 billion mixed use development and opening up opportunities to small, emerging and disadvantage businesses.
The CIP is critical to bringing the 1983-designed facility up to modern day standards and addressing critical infrastructure issues like replacing a 40-acre roof. Over $180 million of the $557 million CIP is complete or underway including the renovation of all the 140 meeting rooms, corridors and public spaces that also incorporate elements of New Orleans culture into the facility.
Beyond the NOENMCC’s internal achievements, the new riverfront neighbor, the River District, is beginning to take shape. Sawaya’s collaborative approach with the River District Neighborhood Investors, LLC (RDNI) helped to navigate the complex approval processes. Alongside elected officials and city representatives, RDNI and the Convention Center celebrated the beginning of critical infrastructure work with a groundbreaking ceremony on November 29, 2023. Once complete, the new River District will be a new neighborhood and hub of commerce and entertainment and be a transformative asset for the New Orleans region and the state of Louisiana.
“This recognition is a testament to Michael’s exceptional leadership, strategic vision and unwavering commitment to driving the Convention Center to new and greater successes which is critical to the economies of both New Orleans and the State of Louisiana,” said Jerry Reyes, President of the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority, the governing board of the Convention Center. “He has been key in steering the Center through challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Ida while shepherding our transformative $557 million improvement plan that will position New Orleans to be more competitive for years to come.”
With clear vision and passion, Sawaya is leading the NOENMCC into a bright future, with advance bookings now confirmed through 2040.
