Black mayors conference convenes in New Orleans
/AP A day after Barack Obama sealed the Democratic presidential nomination, obviously pleased members of the National Conference of Black Mayors assembled Wednesday in New Orleans for their annual meeting, calling Obama's win "a historic moment." But the group won't be issuing an endorsement in the presidential race because of its nonprofit tax status. However, the organization's president Mayor George Grace of St. Gabriel, La. said during an opening news conference that "it would be very easy for you to guess" who the individual mayors will be backing. Although the group can't issue a unified endorsement, Grace said the conference would push to influence both the Democratic and Republican candidates on such issues as the economy, high gasoline prices, health care and the environment. Problems that affect the nation are "multiplied by 10" in the areas represented by the black mayors, Grace said. About 2,000 delegates are expected at the four-day meeting, which was moved on the fly to New Orleans after being originally scheduled for Detroit. The group switched cities in March after Detroit was hit by a scandal surrounding its mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick. He faces charges of perjury, conspiracy, obstruction of justice and misconduct related to explicit text messages sent to a former aide.
The meeting is a welcome boost for New Orleans during the summer season, traditionally the slowest tourism time of the year. This year, the industry faces another problem: High gasoline prices that are cutting down on travel.
"This group is amazing to switch gears at this time," New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said.
The conference is the second large meeting recently to announce a last-minute move to New Orleans.
Last week, Starbucks Corp. said it will hold its annual meeting of store managers and field leaders in New Orleans in October, the first time the meeting has been held outside the company's headquarters in Seattle. That meeting is expected to draw about 10,000 people.
The city's visitors bureau has been concentrating on fast-booking corporate meetings to fill holes in the convention schedule left behind by Hurricane Katrina. Association meetings have been difficult to land because they require yearslong lead times, along with persuading thousands of people to come to the city.
Three big meetings that had been scheduled for this fall were called off after Katrina.
The meeting is a welcome boost for New Orleans during the summer season, traditionally the slowest tourism time of the year. This year, the industry faces another problem: High gasoline prices that are cutting down on travel.
"This group is amazing to switch gears at this time," New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said.
The conference is the second large meeting recently to announce a last-minute move to New Orleans.
Last week, Starbucks Corp. said it will hold its annual meeting of store managers and field leaders in New Orleans in October, the first time the meeting has been held outside the company's headquarters in Seattle. That meeting is expected to draw about 10,000 people.
The city's visitors bureau has been concentrating on fast-booking corporate meetings to fill holes in the convention schedule left behind by Hurricane Katrina. Association meetings have been difficult to land because they require yearslong lead times, along with persuading thousands of people to come to the city.
Three big meetings that had been scheduled for this fall were called off after Katrina.
