submitted by New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
NEW ORLEANS – Biz New Orleans has named New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) President and CEO Jim Cook to its 2025 “New Orleans 500” list. The annual publication recognizes the most influential business leaders and professionals whose work is shaping the region’s economy and future.
Cook, who was appointed President and CEO earlier this year, brings more than 25 years of hospitality leadership experience to his role. His selection to the New Orleans 500 reflects his long-standing commitment to strengthening New Orleans’ tourism industry, his deep relationships across the city’s business community and his leadership of several transformative projects underway at the Convention Center.
“Jim’s leadership comes at an important moment for the Convention Center and for New Orleans,” said Russ W. Allen, President of the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority. “His deep industry expertise, steady vision and commitment to collaboration are already helping advance major initiatives that will strengthen our competitiveness for decades to come. We are pleased to see Biz New Orleans recognize Jim’s contributions and the positive impact of his work.”
Cook has built a career defined by operational excellence and strategic growth. Prior to joining the Convention Center, he served as General Manager of the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel and held leadership roles with Marriott across the country, managing major renovations, brand transitions and community engagement efforts.
NOENMCC earned its LEED recertification in 2025, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable operations and long-term stewardship. Under Cook’s leadership, the Convention Center is advancing its $557 million capital improvement plan to modernize the facility, enhance the guest experience and strengthen New Orleans’ competitive position in the convention landscape. He is also overseeing development of the adjacent 1,000-room Omni New Orleans headquarters hotel, which will expand the city’s convention footprint and economic impact. Through the Convention Center’s growing Small and Emerging Business (SEB) Program, Cook continues to prioritize inclusive procurement by creating more opportunities for SEB firms through tools such as SEBconnect, targeted outreach events and expanded vendor engagement efforts that help local businesses compete for and secure Convention Center contracts.
“Being named to the New Orleans 500 is an honor, and it reflects the work of an exceptional team and the strength of our partnerships,” said Cook. “Together, we are moving forward on transformative projects, from our $560 million facility transformation, the pivotal Omni New Orleans development to the River District, that will enhance our competitiveness and expand the Convention Center’s impact on New Orleans’ economy.”
The Convention Center has generated more than $90 billion in economic impact since opening in 1985, hosts nearly 100 events annually and supports tens of thousands of jobs across Louisiana. With major initiatives underway and bookings secured through 2040, Cook’s leadership will help elevate the facility’s national profile while supporting continued growth for the region’s hospitality industry.
About the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC)
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.
