Bill signing signals approval to revitalize New Orleans’ Convention Center corridor

Governor Bobby Jindal’s signature on House Bill 788 gives final approval to the Ernest N. Morial Exhibition Hall Authority to begin executing bold plans for the Convention Center District Development Project that will revitalize New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Corridor from Poydras Street to the Market Street power plant along the city’s riverfront.

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Walter Leger of New Orleans, is designed to allow the Authority, which operates the New Orleans Convention Center, to move forward with a comprehensive plan to revitalize an important part of the city through new development on a 47-acre tract owned by the Authority, and to make significant visual and functional improvements to the area around Convention Center Boulevard.

“This is an historic moment for the city and state,” said Authority Chair Melvin Rodrigue.  “This action by the Governor allows us to take aggressive steps to develop a long underutilized part of the city’s riverfront and to make the kind of improvements in our hospitality and entertainment offerings that will ensure the city will continue to stay competitive as a visitor destination of choice for millions of people. This Convention Center District Development Project will be a demand generator that will benefit the local hospitality industry and economy for years to come.”

According to Representative Leger, “Leveraging public dollars in a way that requires no new taxes, or the reallocation of existing tax dollars to attract major private investment will continue the renaissance of our City, region and state.”  Convention Center officials estimate that the project could entail up to $700 million in private investment, which in turn would produce thousands of new jobs and sales and occupancy tax revenues in the City’s booming hospitality industry. 

Bob Johnson, President and CEO of the Convention Center notes that new investment and a reimaging of the area is timely.  “With the exception of our $50 million construction of the Center’s Great Hall, and the recent re-opening of the Riverwalk there hasn’t been any large scale investment or development along the corridor since the 1984 World’s Fair.  The time is now to seize this landmark opportunity, and to give visitors and locals new options for enjoying and exploring our city.” Johnson also noted the “efforts of Authority’s commissioners over the past many years to continually keep the Convention Center viable among stiff competition through facility upgrades and expansions.”

“With the bill becoming law, we are now free to begin exploring options to identify the right master developer to lead us through this process and generate the outside investment that will make this project one of the largest infrastructure project for Louisiana in recent history,” Johnson said.

The Convention Center Authority, which led the efforts to expand the Center in 1991 and 1999, has been studying options for redeveloping and improving the area since mid-2012.  A variety of studies have been undertaken to assess possible changes in traffic patterns to reduce congestion and improve public safety, and analyze current and future retail, housing and hotel needs.  Central to the plans is the construction of a new “headquarters” hotel on the upriver side of the Convention Center, needed to accommodate the current demands from meetings and conventions and the projected increase in visitors to the city leading up to its 300th anniversary.

Other proposed aspects of the Convention Center District Development Project include a linear park along Convention Center Boulevard, outdoor entertainment, arts and cultural venues and new retail and housing options.  An added benefit of the project is its ability to provide a “relief valve” for the already stressed tourism infrastructure in the French Quarter and along Magazine Street and the Marigny/Frenchman Street areas.

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LRA to honor 17 Restaurant Legends at Galatoire's Restaurant in New Orleans

The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) is pleased to name 17 Restaurant Legends from Galatoire’s Restaurant in New Orleans. The recipients will be recognized at a special ceremony at the restaurant Monday, April 14, 2014 at 6 p.m.

The Restaurant Legends Award recognizes the long-term dedication of employees of the restaurant industry, with 20 or more years of service at one establishment.

“Galatoire’s is so fortunate to have such dedicated employees who have truly made this restaurant the institution it has been for more than 100 years,” said Melvin Rodrigue, Galatoire’s Restaurant President & CEO. “Without their service, we could not offer the impeccable experience our diners expect and deserve.” 

With 557 combined years of experience and service at Galatoire’s Restaurant, these men and women exemplify the satisfaction of making their jobs a lifelong and rewarding career.

They are:

• Linzie Brown, busser, employed for 51 years
• Arnold Chabaud, Maître D, employed for 23 years
• Michael “MC” Emmons, server, employed for 25 years
• Billy Fontenot, server, employed for 29 years
• Harold Fontenot, server, employed for 54 years
• Homer Fontenot, server, employed for 24 years
• John Fontenot, server, employed for 29 years
• David Gooch, manager, employed for 47 years
• Charles Grimaldi, server, employed for 28 years
• Fernando Gutierrez, cook, employed for 35 years
• Joann Nunnery, receptionist, employed for 31 years
• Roger Rojas, cook, employed for 22 years
• Richard Smith, server, employed for 30 years
• Bryant Sylvester, server and Maître D, employed for 27 years
• Dorris Sylvester, server, employed for 39 years
• Imre Szalai, server, employed for 40 years
• Murray Thomas, cook/Kitchen Manager, 23 years

“We hope to encourage younger workers to follow the examples that each of these special men and women have set for the industry,” said Stan Harris, LRA President & CEO. “It is more than evident that Galatoire’s fosters a sense of pride among their employees, promote from within and stress the importance of jobs within the industry.”

Registration for the 2014 NRA Public Affairs Conference is open

The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) consistently delivers one of the top state delegations to the annual National Restaurant Association (NRA) Public Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C. Last year, nearly 50 LRA members made the trip to meet with Louisiana’s Congressional Delegation. This year, the NRA Public Affairs Conference is April 29-30 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.

Stan Harris, LRA President and CEO

“Every year, the NRA holds the conference to provide restaurateurs with their state’s Congressional Delegation,” said Stan Harris, LRA President and CEO. “During the LRA Hill Climb, our members meet with all nine of Louisiana’s delegation to discuss priority issues for the restaurant industry.”

The restaurant industry is facing unprecedented challenges on a variety of legislative fronts from health care and taxes to minimum wage and immigration reform. This year will be a critical mid-term election year for restaurateurs large and small. Congress needs to know how all of these issues affect your and your employees. Join hundreds of industry peers and colleagues for two days in Washington, DC.

“Advocacy plays such an important role in our business,” said Melvin Rodrigue, COO of Galatoire’s Restaurant. “We’re all concentrating on what’s happening within our four walls, but we have to be aware of what’s outside, such as regulations on the city, state and federal level.”

The NRA Public Affairs Conference is open! Early bird registration is $165; $185 after March 28; and Spouse or non-business guest is $90. Click here to register online and to see the list of hotels nearby. View the agenda here.

Learn about the issues, talk with colleagues and share your story with Congress. They need to know that America Works Here. 

Raising Cane's Todd Graves named LRA's "Restaurateur of the Year"

Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers Founder
Todd Graves is the 2012 LRA
Restaurateur of the Year.

The most prestigious Louisiana restaurant industry honor—Restaurateur of the Year—was awarded to Todd Graves, Founder, Chairman, CEO, Fry Cook and Cashier, of Raising Cane’s Restaurants, August 11 at the LRA’s Five Star Futures Gala. Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) Chairman Melvin Rodrigue began is introduction of Graves as the top honoree with, “our next honoree has earned a tremendous notoriety and success building a quick service restaurant concept for which he received the worst grade in his business class at Louisiana State University (LSU).”

Graves has built his business with little support in the early days. No bank would lend him money as they didn’t believe a simple chicken finger concept would work. Some bankers even told him he should give up the idea and “get a real job.” At that point, Graves knew he would need to raise his own capital to achieve his dream.

From the oil refineries in South Louisiana to his eventual move to Alaska to commercial salmon fish, he worked diligently until he had raised enough seed money to open his first Raising Cane’s right outside the gates of LSU. In a moment of inspiration, he named the restaurant after his yellow lab, Raising Cane.

“Todd is a great example of an individual who followed his dream, and against great odds, made his idea a reality,” said Stan Harris, President/CEO, LRA. “His story is one that shows the entrepreneurial spirit that makes the restaurant industry one that many individuals find their calling, career and life’s work within.”

In 15 years, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers has grown from that first location to more than 130 restaurants in 16 states. Raising Cane’s now ranks as one of the fastest growing privately-owned companies in the U.S.

Philanthropy is a huge part of Graves’ commitment to the community. Graves and Raising Cane’s have given more than 25 percent of their profits back to the communities where Raising Cane’s restaurants operate. With an emphasis on education, food insecurity, active lifestyles, canine assistance and business and entrepreneurial organizations, the impact has been enormous.

“The generosity of restaurateurs ought to be well known,” said National Restaurant Association Chairwoman Roz Mallet. “Our industry donates $3 billion a year, and Todd is an example of the philanthropic nature of restaurateurs.”

Past Restaurateur of the Year honorees have included: Leah Chase, John Besh, Greg Reggio, John Folse and Paul Prudhomme.

Five Star Futures Gala, a “star-studded” evening

Louisiana’ restaurant and hospitality industries will convene August 11 for an evening to recognize today’s industry leaders and support the education of the next generation. The Hilton Riverside Grand Ballroom will be decked with beautiful spring bouquets, libations and world-class cuisine and all to benefit the Louisiana Restaurant AssociationEducation Foundation’s Scholarship Fund.

“We are looking forward to raising funds for our Scholarship Program and awareness of some of our industry’s most philanthropic members,” said Melvin Rodrigue, LRA Chairman. “To make the evening even more special, the National Restaurant Association Chairwoman Roz Mallet will join us.”

LRA Chair Melvin Rodrigue will
name the restaurant industry's high
award winners during the Five Star
Futures Gala, August 12.

Throughout the program, Guest Auctioneer Mark Romig of the New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Corp will get the bidding started on great packages like round trip airfare, charter fishing trips, duck hunts and multi-course meals—one by Chef Susan Spicer of Bayona and Mondo. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on four tickets to the New Orleans Saints season opener September 9 and VIP amenities at the Hyatt Regency.

The event also features a Cork Pull. Members of the LRA donated a bottle of wine to the Cork Pull to increase contributions to the Scholarship Fund.



National Restaurant Assoc.
Chair Roz Mallet will be
the special guest of honor
at the Five Stars
Future Gala.

“Having a Cork Pull at our event affords our members various giving levels throughout the evening,” said Alice Glenn, Executive Director, LRAEF. “We are extremely thankful to all our members who have contributed to the success of the Five Star Futures Gala.”

Fourteen students will be awarded a total of $40,000 in scholarships during the opening portion of the program. It is with support of the Gala sponsors and the annual ProStart Partners that the foundation is able to award these funds, and for the second year in a row.

“During the latter part of the program, we will announce the LRA’s top award recipients, the Advocate of the Year, Associate Member of the Year and the Restaurateur of the Year,” said Stan Harris, President/CEO, LRA. “We will also induct a beloved member of the New Orleans restaurant community into the LRA’s Hall of Fame.”

A few tickets are still available! If you are interested in attendees this “star-studded” event, please call Alice Glenn at (504) 454-2277 or email aglenn@lra.org today!

Examining leadership in Louisiana's restaurant industry

The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) is in a new phase in its development. With the retirement of its former president and chief executive officer in 2010, the volunteer leaders conducted a national search—the first time for many of them—for someone to lead them into a new era for your association. That individual is Stan Harris—a former successful restaurateur with a strong business acumen and an active leader.

The LRA Executive Committee charged Harris with bringing a solid business approach to the association and leading a strategic restructuring to align the LRA and its highly-valued Self Insurer’s Fund forWorkers’ Compensation. Another task is to raise awareness of the Louisiana ProStart^® program, the two-year, restaurant management and culinary curriculum offered in 50 high schools statewide.

While much of that work has began at the staff level in 2011, the real work begins this year as members of the state board and the nine LRA chapter presidents will evaluate themselves and begin to set the course for the future of our association and industry. Enhancing the industry’s identity and reputation is at the forefront of this initiative.

Developing the next generation of industry leaders

Given the level of involvement necessary to evolve the LRA, 2012 LRA Chair Melvin Rodrigue appointed LRA Past Chair Glen Armantrout as Chapter Leadership Chair this year. In preparation and in conjunction with LRA senior staff, the first Chapter Leadership Conference was instituted this past December. All nine chapter presidents attended as well as the nine chapter vice presidents.

The Business of Bourbon Street -- Melvin Rodrigue

From Napoleonville to New Orleans, a pre-med major turns hospitality into his lifelong career and runs one of the most notable, old-line restaurants in the heart of the French Quarter.

Many successful restaurateurs initially had other careers in mind upon entering college. 2012 LRA Chair Melvin Rodrigue was no different. At 19 years old, the Napoleonville native was enrolled at Tulane University, with plans to study medicine. A sister’s suggestion, however, put Rodrigue on the path to where he is today.  In 1991, he found himself working at the newly-opened Palace Café on Canal Street.

“I was driving home every weekend and my sister encouraged me to stay in the city, get a job with her at Palace and the rest is history, really,” Rodrigue says.

Best laid plans…

In a few short months, he was running the kitchen at Palace Café with 30 direct reports.

“I just loved it…the excitement, the responsibility and working with some of the industry greats, like Dickie Brennan and my mentor, Steve Pettus.”

Pettus laughed in an interview, “I’m too young to be a mentor. But, in all seriousness, Melvin is a sponge. He listens, he thinks and he considers all angles before he reacts. That’s the mark of a truly great leader.”