March 25, 2015
New Orleans, LA – The New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC) is launching the NOLA Navy Week website this week to announce activities for the event, to be held April 23 – 29, 2015. Rare opportunity and interactive fun will be planned for visitors who venture to the Mississippi River at the French Quarter.
“The NOLA Navy Week website will allow groups to go online ahead of time and schedule tours of ships,” said Mark Romig, President and CEO of New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation. “It also offers color photos and information about the visiting vessels, as well as a berthing map and other information.”
During the week, officials from the visiting naval vessels and Coast Guard will join Mayor Mitch Landrieu for a Mayoral Welcome, and there will also be a Gala at the National WWII Museum for the visiting officers while thousands of sailors will descend upon the city, participating in sports activities, community service projects, and hospital visits. A seafood cook-off will once again be held between the ships’ various culinary specialists and Louisiana chefs. The U.S. Coast Guard will also participate in the citywide activities “New Orleans will once again welcome the visiting ships from the Navy, as well as Canada and Great Britain, and offer the hospitality we are known for,” said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “We will share with them our city’s unique ability to celebrate all that makes America great with the most unique assets in the nation including our food, music, and culture.”
Tours of ships will be offered to groups in the morning and the general public in the afternoon. Visitors including school groups, and maritime and history buffs will see six ships this year including the USS Wasp, USS James E. Williams, USS Cole, HMCS Athabaskan, HMS Lancaster, and USCGC Dauntless.
“We’re excited to bring the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard to New Orleans next month, and I’m very happy our allies from the United Kingdom and Canada are able to join us as well,” said Rear Adm. Cindy Thebaud, the commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 2 based in Norfolk, Virginia. “The public will get a chance to see some of the world’s most advanced warships, gear and equipment, while our Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and allied sailors will have an opportunity to enjoy the great city of New Orleans.”
NOLA Navy Week occurs every three years in New Orleans. To visit the website, go to NOLANavyWeek.com. Scheduling information will be added soon.
About New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC)
NOTMC promotes the city as a leisure tourism destination throughout the year. Annually, NOTMC’s marketing campaigns include strategic digital and broadcast TV advertising, social media and public relations. Websites: neworleansonline.com; followyourNOLA.com; GoNOLA.com. Social media: Facebook.com/NewOrleans; Twitter.com/visitneworleans; Instagram.com/VisitNewOrleans; Pinterest.com/VisitNewOrleans; YouTube.com/gonolatv.
About the United States Navy
“America’s sea services, the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard uniquely provide presence around the globe during peacetime and in times of conflict. From supporting those in need with humanitarian assistance or disaster relief to deterring or defeating an adversary, Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen are deployed and ready wherever they are needed, when they are needed. The United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard are our nation’s first line of defense, providing presence around the world to ensure stability, build on our relationships with allies and partners, prevent wars, and provide our nation’s leaders with options in times of crisis. The sea services continue their commitment to maintain the combat power necessary to deter potential adversaries, and to fight and win when required. Forward, engaged, ready. For more information, see http://www.navy.mil.