July 15, 2011 in News by Eric
Letter From NOMCVB President Stephen Perry
President/CEO of New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau Stephen Perry has come out in support of the partnership between Le Petit Theatre and the Dickie Brennan Restaurant Group. He believes “our sales team could promote the new enhanced and revitalized theatre to thousands of future visitors.” Here is a letter to the editor, as submitted to the Times-Picayune.
Transcript:
Dear Editor:
The pending proposal by the Dickie Brennan Restaurant Group to help save and upgrade our Le Petit Theater is essential for preserving an iconic historical and cultural element of our city, both for locals and for our multibillion dollar tourism industry.
I’ve seen firsthand the extensive damage to the property at Le Petit Theatre and reviewed the financial issues. It is clear that a new approach is needed to allow the theatre not just to survive but to thrive. Under the Brennan’s proposal, Le Petit’s Board receives $1 million towards renovations, which would restore Le Petit’s theatre to its fullest potential, allowing it to become a state-of-the-art community theatre while maintaining an enhanced beauty and historical significance.
The Brennan plan also aligns with the strategic master plan for our cultural tourism industry, launched in 2010, by local hospitality leaders and the Boston Consulting Group. The goal of the master plan is to ramp up all of our cultural product by the city’s 300th anniversary in 2018. Results will be dramatic: $11 billion in direct spending, 33,000 additional jobs with an average salary of $33,000 a year and $700 million in tax revenue. The master plan calls for an aggressive strategy to revitalize core assets, such as the French Quarter and its cultural products.
From the standpoint of marketing New Orleans to potential major associations, corporations and leisure tourists, our sales team could promote the new enhanced and revitalized theatre to thousands of decision-makers and future visitors. Designed as an old New Orleans Manor House, it will not only offer a menu with quality food from a world-renowned restaurateur, the restaurant will also pay homage to Le Petit and its history in a tasteful and classic manner. We strongly believe that we can bring more exposure and revenue to Le Petit from our visitor population as a result.
It is rare for us to see such a mutually advantageous deal for Le Petit Theatre, the private sector and the city of New Orleans. I sincerely hope that the project can move forward, help save one of our most significant cultural and historical assets, while enhancing its marketability and securing its long-term financial future.
J Stephen Perry
President/CEO
New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau
