Page 20 - Experience Magazine Fall 2023

THE INAUGURAL NEW ORLEANS
AUCTION SITE

ERNEST N. MORIAL CONVENTION CENTER

Ernest Nathan “Dutch” Morial, a prominent civil rights With increasing demand to host events in the world-
advocate, made significant contributions as an American famous city, the New Orleans Convention Center
politician. He made history by becoming the first African expanded further in 1991 with the inauguration of its
American mayor of New Orleans, holding office from second phase, effectively doubling its footprint.
1978 to 1986. During his tenure, Mayor Morial actively In 1992, the convention center underwent a significant
championed the development of a new convention renaming to become the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial
center to replace the outdated Rivergate meeting facility, Convention Center, paying tribute to the late mayor
which could no longer accommodate the city’s needs. who had unexpectedly passed away in 1989. The new
In 1981, the city broke ground on the first phase appellation served as a fitting homage to Mayor Morial’s
of the newly envisioned New Orleans Convention contributions to the community and his vision for a
Center. This ambitious project reached completion modern convention facility in New Orleans.
in May 1984, just in time to serve as the expansive Continuing its growth and success, the convention
exhibition space for the renowned 1984 World’s Fair. center welcomed its third phase in 1999. Expanding
The fair spanned from May to November of that year, to an impressive footprint of over 10 blocks, the
showcasing various exhibits and attracting visitors convention center has emerged as a significant
from around the globe. Subsequently, beginning in economic powerhouse for New Orleans. During
January 1985, the convention center opened its doors this same year the convention center achieved
to a host of other events.
a remarkable milestone, reaching a record-high

20 BARRETT-JACKSON EXPERIENCE FALL 2023