submitted by MCCNO
Michael J. Sawaya, President & CEO of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, participated in the “Roll With Me Challenge,” an initiative by Mark Raymond Jr., the founder and CEO of the Split Second Foundation, a New Orleans-based non-profit that provides wrap-around services for families impacted by physical disabilities.
The challenge involves immersing executives and high-ranking officials of Louisiana-based businesses in the experience of wheelchair mobility by navigating their facilities alongside Raymond, who utilizes a motorized wheelchair. The primary objective of this initiative is to foster a deeper appreciation among influential leaders of Louisiana establishments for the potential challenges that differently-abled individuals may encounter while accessing their facilities.
“Historically, this city has had challenges with providing the disabled with the experiences they deserve,” said Raymond. “The Roll with Me Challenge is so important because it asks how we, as leaders, are changing that and embracing accessibility and inclusivity to bridge the gaps and provide a better experience for everyone that visits our city.”
During the challenge, Sawaya rolled up and down the facility’s numerous accessibility ramps, entered through doors equipped with push-to-open automatic door openers, and actively engaged with various accessibility features throughout the facility, gaining firsthand insights into the experiences of differently-abled individuals visiting the Convention Center. All of this while having a lively conversation with Mark about the history and importance of accessibility and equity for everyone entering the facility.
“We have really taken a keen eye to accessibility improvements here at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center,” said Sawaya. “Providing a consistent experience for everyone who enters our doors, no matter their ability, is one of the most important aspects of what we do at the Convention Center.”
The Roll with Me Challenge series has garnered more than 300,000 views across social media platforms, with some of the most influential people in Louisiana participating, including Governor John Bel Edwards, New Orleans and Company President Walt Leger, Windsor Court General Manager and New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Exhibition Hall Authority Commissioner Ralph Mahana, and many more.
Convention Center President & CEO Michael J. Sawaya (Left) Participates in the Roll with Me Challenge with Founder and CEO of the Split Second Foundation, Mark Raymond Jr.
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 the sixth largest Convention Center in the United States and provides the largest single exhibit space in the country. NOENMCC is a 2023 IAVM Venue Excellence recipient and is consistently named a regional top workplace by The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate. Our 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.
