The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) is one of the largest and most iconic convention facilities in the United States. Located in downtown New Orleans along the Mississippi River, the center features the country’s largest contiguous exhibit hall, spanning 1.1 million square feet.
Exhibiting in New Orleans requires careful planning due to the facility’s massive scale, city integration, and competitive trade show environment. E&E Exhibit Solutions provides full-service New Orleans trade show displays for NOENMCC, including custom exhibits, rental booths, award-winning exhibit designs, fabrication, logistics, and turnkey project management.
About the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Opened in 1985 and named for Ernest N. Morial, New Orleans’ first African American mayor, NOENMCC covers approximately 3 million total square feet across nearly 11 city blocks. Its design combines massive exhibit space with unique urban integration and record-setting sustainability achievements.
The facility has played a critical role in the city’s history, including serving as a temporary shelter after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and has generated over $90 billion in economic impact since opening. It is consistently recognized for excellence in operations and sustainability, holding multiple LEED Gold certifications.
Key Features & Facilities
- Exhibit Space: 1.1 million square feet of contiguous, column-free space, the largest in the United States.
- Great Hall: 60,300-square-foot divisible ballroom.
- Meeting Rooms: 140 individual breakout spaces.
- Theater: 4,000-seat auditorium for presentations and events.
- Pedestrian Park: 7.5-acre linear park along Convention Center Boulevard with interactive water features and public art.
- Sustainability: Largest LEED Gold-certified project in Louisiana with green innovations such as a 40-acre reflective “cool roof” and extensive recycling programs.
Location and Access
- Address: 900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130
- Proximity: In the Warehouse/Arts District, within walking distance of thousands of hotel rooms and the French Quarter.
- Parking: Ample on-site parking with daily fees.
- Urban Integration: The facility connects seamlessly with New Orleans’ walkable streets, restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues.
Major Trade Shows at NOENMCC
The center hosts numerous international and industry-specific conventions, attracting thousands of exhibitors and tens of thousands of attendees. Upcoming events include:
- AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting) – Leading event for orthopedic professionals.
- WEFTEC (Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition & Conference) – Premier water quality and environmental technology conference.
Other major conventions cover medical, technology, manufacturing, and specialty industries, making booth design and visibility critical to success.
Exhibitor Logistics & Deadlines
Exhibiting at NOENMCC requires coordination with both the facility’s Exhibit Services Department and your event’s General Service Contractor (GSC).
Key Considerations:
- Official Services: Order utilities, internet, and catering through NOENMCC’s online portal; Sodexo Live! provides exclusive food and beverage services.
- Shipping & Freight: Direct shipments to the center are prohibited; all materials must go through the GSC’s warehouse or designated marshaling yard.
- Move-In Scheduling: Follow target schedules to manage freight efficiently.
- Booth Compliance: Structural engineer approval may be required for multi-story booths; adhere to fire and weight regulations.
Early planning helps avoid delays, surcharges, and compliance issues.
Booth Design & Strategy for NOENMCC
Trade shows at NOENMCC demand engaging, high-impact exhibits. Top strategies include:
- Maximize Visibility: Island and peninsula booths provide multi-side engagement.
- Bold Graphics & Lighting: Use high-contrast visuals and supplemental LED lighting to stand out under the facility’s high ceilings.
- Interactive Elements: Touchscreens, VR/AR demos, and product trials attract attendees.
- Comfort & Flow: Seating or charging stations encourage longer visits.
- Local Engagement: Offer practical swag, such as tote bags or branded hand sanitizer, to appeal to New Orleans attendees.
Attendees decide in seconds whether to enter a booth, make a strong first impression.
Technical & Safety Requirements
- Flooring: Flame-retardant floor coverings required.
- Height Limits: Linear booths typically max at 8 feet; islands may reach 16-25 feet with approval.
- Rigging & Signage: Must be pre-approved with engineering drawings.
- Fire & Safety: Non-combustible materials required; vehicle displays must follow fuel and battery restrictions.
Compliance ensures safe installation and smooth move-in.
Travel, Accommodations & Accessibility
- Connected Hotels: Thousands of rooms within walking distance.
- Walkable Venue: Compact layout allows attendees to traverse the full facility without changing floors.
- City Experience: The linear park and adjacent streets create a seamless urban experience for attendees and exhibitors.
Trade Show Booth Options for NOENMCC Exhibitors
- Custom Island Exhibits – Open-concept booths with overhead signage, LED video walls, private meeting rooms, and immersive branding.
- Modular & Rental Booths – Flexible solutions designed for efficiency and scalability. Options include:
- 10×10 Trade Show Booths
- Ideal for small spaces or first-time exhibitors
- Includes graphics, modular components, and basic lighting
- Easy setup and teardown for fast event turnover
- 10×20 Trade Show Booths
- Offers extra space for product displays or meeting areas
- Supports interactive elements like touchscreens or demos
- 20×20 Trade Show Booths
- Large-scale modular environment for maximum visibility
- Supports multiple engagement zones, meeting rooms, or demo areas
- Rental exhibits include design, trade show graphics production, fabrication, shipping, installation, and dismantling services.
- Double-Deck Exhibits – Two-story structures for elevated branding and private meeting areas.
- Tension Fabric Displays – Lightweight, high-impact visuals for easy setup and shipping efficiency.
Full-Service Trade Show Support
E&E Exhibit Solutions handles every step of exhibiting at NOENMCC, our trade show project management services include:
- Strategic planning and scheduling
- Assistance with material handling forms
- Pre-show staging and client preview sessions
- Freight coordination and dock scheduling
- Coordination of on-site installation/dismantle/supervision services
Plan Your NOENMCC Trade Show Display
If you are preparing to exhibit at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC), E&E Exhibit Solutions can help you design and execute a trade show display built for visibility, compliance, and performance.
Book a design session to explore custom exhibits, modular and rental booth solutions, and full-service trade show support tailored to your next New Orleans event.
