New Orleans

This past week, I traveled to the New Orleans for my Interstate Hotels and Resorts Conference.  All of our region's General Managers, Directors of Sales, Sales Managers and Corporate team came in for it.  This was my first trip to The Big Easy and I am absolutely smitten. We flew in a day early so we could explore the city a bit before the conference began.  

We ate grilled oysters and beignets (not in the same sitting of course!). We wandered around the French Quarter and took a tour guided horse drawn carriage ride to see more of the city.  On top of having meetings for three days, I still managed to get to Bourbon Street every night for some live music and stiff drinks.  

Now it wasn't all play and no work.  Interstate threw a fabulous conference... they always do.  When your company is the hospitality industry, they tend to go all out for events like this.  On Wednesday night, we had a parade from our hotel to another Interstate managed hotel.  Now this was not some rinky-dink parade...  We had a 6 piece brass band, 3 police escorts and 1 fire truck.  Each region dressed up differently and we marched our butts through New Orleans with Hurricanes in our hands and beads around our necks.

 All in all, it was a fabulous time.  I am incredibly fortunate to work with some of the best in our industry.  Seeing old faces and meeting new ones year after year is so special to me.  On top of everything else, I was honored on stage by my Vice President of Sales with the Interstate Special Achievement Award for my efforts and results at my hotel.  I am equally humbled and elated to have been recognized in this way.  

Here are a few glimpses into my trip to NOLA...

The BEST chargrilled oysters

Gumbo and Jambalaya 

Bourbon Street

Beads and shoes on the lines

His bucket was FULL of cash

I bought one of the identical owl vases on the right/left

Me and our mule, Red Bean

Some houses were big...

And some small

Above ground cemetery

Balcony on Bourbon