Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1537157
B M & T ••• July/August 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 7 party brought together city and county leaders, tourism part- ners, family, friends, and current and former CVB staff to pay tribute to Fourrier's legacy. Throughout the evening, speakers reflected on Fourrier's impact on both tourism and the Greensboro community. His leadership was instrumental in the development of major ven- ues such as the Greensboro Aquatic Center and the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, as well as recent efforts to boost sports tourism through the introduction of portable indoor pickleball courts. Among the evening's highlights was a presentation by Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan, who awarded Fourrier a key to the city. Additional tributes came from the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and NC AAU, the Greensboro Sports Foundation, the Greensboro/Guilford County Tourism Development Authority, and the CVB team. With his trademark humor, Fourrier joked about seeing how many doors the key to the city might open, but ended on a heartfelt note: "Greensboro has been very good to me for my career. I hope that I was good for Greensboro." Fourrier's final day as CEO of the Greensboro CVB was June 30. His successor is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. For more information about the Greensboro CVB, visit www.VisitGreensboroNC.com, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and download the Explore Greensboro app to discover all the exciting things happening in Greensboro! ABOUT THE GREENSBORO AREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU The Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is an independent, non-profit governmental authority whose mission is to aggressively market Greensboro's assets, maxi- mizing economic impact while providing excellent visitor service. Travel and tourism generated nearly $1.7 billion in Guilford County in 2023, employing more than 11,000 in trav- el-related jobs, according to "The Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties" study prepared for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics. THE NEW ORLEANS ERNEST N. MORIAL CONVENTION CENTER RE-OPENS THE WAREHOUSE AT THE CONVENTION CENTER (FORMERLY THE SUGAR MILL) Venue Offers Flexible Indoor And Outdoor Space For Events Of Up To 6,500 Guests The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center( (NOENMCC) is expanding capacity to accommodate private events, corporate functions and community activations with a new venue space called The Warehouse at the Convention Center. The venue, previously known as the Sugar Mill, is accepting bookings beginning now through April 1, 2026. Located directly across from the Convention Center in downtown New Orleans, The Warehouse at the Convention Center features a 25,000-square-foot main floor and a 15,000- square-foot landscaped courtyard. After acquiring the venue earlier this year, NOENMCC updated the interior, and added energy-efficient lighting as part of the renovation. The venue can host more than 4,000 guests indoors, and accommodate up to 6,500 guests when including the adjoining landscaped courtyard. The NOENMCC will oversee the property's operations and programming, with plans to host events through Mardi Gras 2026. The sales team has begun booking the space, with availability open to a wide range of event types. "Adding The Warehouse at the Convention Center to our folio of event space extends exciting options so to our existing clients while we extend our award winning service to the mul- titude of clients who have used the Sugar Mill for the past 20+ years," said Alita Caparotta, Interim President and CEO of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. As with the Convention Center, the new space will have the flexibility to host a diverse mix of organizations, including local cultural groups, nonprofits and convention clients seek- ing unique and customizable spaces. Details on booking, availability and venue specifications for The Warehouse at the Convention Center are available at mccno.com/planners/special-spaces.