The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) has hired Jessica Barnes as the new National Sales Manager. In this role, she focuses on attracting new organizations and businesses to the Convention Center and New Orleans. Her efforts will benefit the entire city by boosting tourism, driving economic development and supporting small businesses.
She is responsible for promoting the Convention Center and securing new events from various markets, while working closely with New Orleans & Company and the local hospitality community. Barnes will also lead site visits for prospective clients, negotiate facility use contracts, and collaborate across departments to ensure events are efficiently planned and executed.
“Jessica is the ideal addition to our sales team, bringing both exceptional expertise in meetings and events and a passion for New Orleans culture,” said Elaine Williams, Chief Commercial Officer of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. “She is already drawing on her years of experience to introduce fresh ideas and strong leadership. She is a standout in our field, and we are excited to see the impact she will make for New Orleans.”
Barnes’ professional background spans hospitality, corporate sales and nonprofit program management, equipping her to manage complex event logistics with clients and stakeholders across sectors. With more than 13 years of experience, she has led national programs, improved event systems and amplified engagement across multiple organizations. A native New Orleanian, Barnes earned her master’s degree in leadership and administration from Boston College and a bachelor’s in hospitality and tourism from Delaware State University.
While contributing an average of $2.4 billion annually and $4 million in direct spending with small business partners with capital projects, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center remains a valuable resource to the Greater New Orleans region. For more information, visit mccno.com.
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 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.
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