New Orleans Chamber Supports Crescent City Connection Task Force Recommendations

New Orleans Chamber Board of Directors makes decision based on review of legislation

New Orleans, LA, March 16, 2012 — On Thursday, March 15, 2012, the New Orleans Chamber Board of Directors voted to support the Crescent City Connection (CCC) Task Force recommendations related to the operations of the CCC subject to a review of any legislation that may be proposed.

The Task Force, composed of representatives from 12 local business and civic organizations including the Chairman of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, William D. Aaron, Jr., spent several months studying, evaluating, analyzing and reviewing all aspects of the CCC operations and management.

On January 20, 2012, the CCC Task Force voted 7-1 in favor of recommending to the Legislature that tolls be renewed and not allowed to expire on December 31, 2012. It is the opinion of the Task Force majority that elimination of the tolls will result in a reduction in the level of current services funded by tolls, elimination of the region’s ability to control its own destiny as to maintenance and capital improvements, reduction in ferry service, significant dependence on limited state funding and elimination of mandated toll-funded projects.

The New Orleans Chamber Board of Directors agreed with the Task Force that “the renewal of tolls coupled with movement to “best practices” operation provides the best opportunity for the region to maintain the CCC as a vital link in the continued economic development of the region.” “A consistent dedicated revenue source coupled with best practices are essential to maintaining the quality of life that we have come to enjoy,” says William D. Aaron, Jr. of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce.

The written report, which is comprised of the Crescent City Connection Task Force’s findings and recommendations, was submitted to the Louisiana House of Representatives and Senate Committees on Transportation, Highways and Public Works and the Join Legislative Committee on the Budget pursuant to Louisiana Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 47.

You may read the full written report below.

Crescent City Connection (CCC) Task Force Final Report

The New Orleans Chamber of Commerce welcomes eighteen members to the 2012-2013 Ambassadors Committee. The purpose of the Ambassadors Committee is to market membership within the Chamber to current and future members.

Each member is carefully selected by invitation only to focus public relations efforts on membership retention and to learn how we can continue to provide support in a professional manner to all Chamber business members we serve.

Current members can expect a courtesy phone throughout the year from the Ambassadors to discuss Chamber activities and to give a status update on their business.

Ambassadors include: Jennifer Keating Magee of Keating Magee Marketing Communications, Luke Anderson of Rebirth Financial, Diane Dinkins of Deane Retirement Strategies Inc. A Registered Investment Advisor, Debra W. Gould of Debra Gould & Associates, Inc., Cathy Flores Gregoire of New Orleans Promotions, Christopher G. Johnson of Fidelity Homestead Savings Bank, Ron Marlow of Bellwether Technology Corporation, Lynn McLean of Small Business Resources Group, LLC, Amanda Peavy of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., Eva Reaux of Clear Channel Radio Broadcasting, Howard Rodgers of Morgan Keegan & Company, Brian Savarese of UTSI, Ernesto Sigmon of Harrah’s New Orleans Casino & Hotel, Ronnie Slone of The Slone Group, Dorothy Tarver of Montgomery, Barnett, Brown, Read, Hammond & Mintz, L.L.P., Tommy Vadell of Marco Outdoor Advertising and Angie Villanueva of Latter & Blum Inc.

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If you have any questions, please call our office at 504-799-4260 or email Toya Smith, membership assistant at tsmith@neworleanschamber.org 

Join us as we introduce Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas to the New Orleans business community. Superintendent Serpas will present his priorities and challenges plus potential partnerships with the business community.

“Our customers are always looking for effective ways to deepen and strengthen relationships with their customers as an efficient means of growing their businesses,” said Ben Johnson, managing director of the Chamber.  “The Constant Contact online marketing tools give our members a valuable addition to our core services. Because of the tools’ ease-of-use and affordability, membership in the the Constant Contact partner program provided a great solution to meet our members’ marketing needs.”

As a Constant Contact Business Partner, the Chamber is able to provide its membes with email marketing, event marketing, and online survey capabilities. With Constant Contact Email Marketing, the Chamber’s members can quickly and easily create professional-looking emails, manage email contact lists, measure email campaign results from clicks to open rates, and review who joined an email list. With Constant Contact Online Survey, the Chamber’s members have an easy-to-use tool to gather feedback that will help them meet customer needs, generate new ideas, and grow their business or organization. With Constant Contact Event Marketing, the Chamber’s members can professionally promote and efficiently manage registrations and RSVPs for their meetings, functions, seminars, and other events.  Constant Contact designed these tools specifically to help small businesses and organizations drive increased customer or member participation and strengthen relationships. 

 “Email marketing, event marketing, and online surveys are proven tools that help small businesses connect with customers and build successful relationships with them,” said Eric Groves, senior vice president, Global Market Development, Constant Contact. “We are pleased that the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce chose Constant Contact to provide its members with our online marketing tools, and we look forward to working together to help the Chamber be an even bigger factor in its members’ successes.”

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“The old store location was located on Read Blvd. and was heavily damaged by Katrina,” said Glenn Mueller, President and CEO of Domino’s franchise, RPM Pizza.  “We’re so excited that this store is back in business and we’re able to serve the community great pizza once again.”

The new Domino’s Pizza in New Orleans East is a Vision 20/20 store, which utilizes Domino’s newest retail design and energy efficiency features.  This location features bright colors and an updates image.  The customer area promotes a new menu board featuring all products, side items, and beverage options with vibrant photography and product pricing.

Domino’s presented two $9,000 checks to local community organizations and offered 9,000 free slices of pizza to the public.