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As part of its community and sustainability initiatives, Hawaiian is expanding a partnership with business accelerator Mana Up through an investment in its Mana Up Capital II fund to help more local companies scale for the global market. Hawaiian has featured more than a dozen local retailers in the food, fashion, beauty and home and art sectors in its onboard service since becoming Mana Up’s official airline sponsor in 2017.  

Hawaiian last month announced it is investing in locally produced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce flight emissions and support agriculture in partnership with Pono Pacific and Par Hawaii, and that it would be the first airline to take deliveries of Hawai‘i-made SAF later this year. The airline is also working to advance innovative lower-emission options for short-haul air service with an investment in hybrid-electric propulsion developer Ampaire and increasing use of electric ground service vehicles at Honolulu airport. 

Finally, the airline will be providing grants to nonprofit organizations promoting cultural programs, environmental preservation and perpetuation of native Hawaiian art and language through the Alaska Airlines | Hawaiian Airlines Foundation, a newly integrated 501(c)(3) foundation dedicated to these efforts in their two namesake states. 

The Hawaiian Airlines’ Kahuʻewai Hawai‘i Investment Plan is part of Alaska Air Group’s Alaska Accelerate strategic plan to deliver on the combined airline’s vision of connecting guests to the world with a remarkable travel experience rooted in safety, care and performance. 

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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