3 Ways Corporate Meetings in New Orleans Can Fuel Creativity

This sponsored content was created in collaboration with a Skift partner.

One of the most complex challenges meeting planners face today is re-energizing a cohort of professionals who question their connection to work. According to research by Gallup, only 31% of U.S. employees are engaged in the workplace, marking the lowest level of engagement in a decade. 

As workers seek clarity about their purpose and a sense of belonging in professional spaces, corporate gatherings have become more important than ever. Choosing the right host city can help corporate experiences bridge the gap between organizations and the people who make them possible. As a renowned hub of culture and creativity, New Orleans is a standout choice. 

Skift Meetings partnered with New Orleans & Company to produce a report, Unlocking Corporate Creativity: Designing Engaging Experiences for Attendees and Teams. Below, we dig deeper to explore how New Orleans demonstrates what’s possible when meeting planners design experiences that inspire purpose, connection, and creativity.

Laying the Foundation for Innovation

Companies today are under immense pressure to keep pace with unprecedented change. PwC reports that 42% of CEOs believe their businesses won’t remain viable in 10 years if they stay on their current path. As a result, organizations are placing a greater premium on innovation, with 83% of senior executives surveyed by Boston Consulting Group ranking it among their top priorities.

In this environment, in-person gatherings are playing a growing role in stimulating new ideas — and the choice of venue influences how well those ideas take shape. While logistics and budgets often guide destination decisions, planners should choose host cities that can serve as a backdrop for values-aligned, possibility-driven events.

New Orleans has innovation and reinvention in its DNA. In recent years, the city has invested more than $5 billion in historic renovations and restorations. These efforts help the city maintain a balance between modernization and preservation, creating an environment anchored firmly in historical respect, building for the future atop a strong and lasting foundation.

Creating Multi-Dimensional Experiences for a Multi-Generational Workforce

Corporate experiences can’t be one-size-fits-all because employees aren’t monolithic. Companies must balance the desires and expectations of entry-level recent graduates, seasoned veterans approaching retirement, and everyone in between. For planners, that means facilitating a range of opportunities that cater to varied professional styles and travel preferences.

For example, in the past, grabbing a drink at the bar was often considered the social hub of professional events. But Gen Z professionals are leading the charge in a widespread trend toward reducing alcohol consumption. While corporate events don’t need to be alcohol-free, there is an opportunity to introduce exciting zero-proof menus.

New Orleans reflects this evolution. While it’s the birthplace of classic cocktails like the Sazerac and the Hurricane, award-winning bars and restaurants across the city also offer delicious and memorable options that support more inclusive programming. 

Despite the city’s reputation for revelry, New Orleans also offers an important slice of southern history, culture, and charm that can move the focus away from hotel bars. The World War II Museum is a gateway to history, with fully equipped facilities available for large-scale receptions. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Jazz Museum gives visitors a chance to experience the soul of the city, and the Southern Food and Beverage Museum offers a taste of authentic Cajun cuisine. These options help planners design events that resonate across generations and preferences.

Joy: The Underrated Currency of Corporate Experiences

While corporate experiences can serve a wide range of purposes from annual sales kickoffs to executive leadership retreats, there is one common goal: encouraging people to feel good about going to work. According to Glassdoor, employee burnout has increased by 50% since the pandemic began. The Pew Research Center reported that nearly half of remote workers said they would quit if their employers required them to return to the office full-time. 

Against this backdrop, cultivating joy within professional experiences has become essential. Incorporating elements of play and exploration can unlock creativity, renew engagement, and support overall performance.

And if there’s one thing New Orleans is known for, it’s opportunities to play.

Outdoor adventures like guided boat tours and ziplines across the region’s famous swamplands offer a dose of Vitamin D. After a morning fishing trip, corporate groups can watch a local chef prepare their fresh catch for dinner. And championship-worthy golfing sits just outside the French Quarter.

Another established way to inspire joy among event attendees is to connect with local communities. New Orleans offers plenty of ways for visitors to roll up their sleeves and make a positive impact, from volunteering with the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana or Habitat for Humanity to excursions with Community Sailing New Orleans, which supports youth access initiatives for underprivileged children.

In this report, you’ll find:

• Details on New Orleans’ extensive renovation and reinvention efforts
• Tips for how planners can ensure DMOs will help them plan successful events
• Key questions for designing corporate events that resonate across generations
• Opportunities to explore American history, music, and food through a New Orleans lens
• Ideas for prioritizing joy, play, and fun at corporate experiences of all kinds
• Strategies for facilitating corporate conversations that push companies forward

This content was created collaboratively by New Orleans & Company and Skift’s branded content studio, SkiftX.