#NOLABound
@ the Airport heading to New Orleans #NOLABound trip. I am looking forward to seeing what New Orleans has going on in the digital world.
posted: March 14, 2012
View NOLA Bound Applicants:
Peg Samuel
Location: New York, NY / Category: Digital Media
NOLAbound Blog
#beNOLABound
#beNOLABound
Hello, honor and privilege.
I was thrilled to be picked as a finalist for the NOLA Bound trip to New Orleans—all who met the below description:
“25 well-connected individuals from across the country within four targeted business sectors—arts-based businesses, biosciences, digital media, and sustainable industries—to assess the status of New Orleans as a model of new business progress and thinking.”
It used to be that when I heard New Orleans, I thought Mardi Gras, so it was the NOLA Bound team’s goal to change my perception. Their goal? Recruit, educate and inspire people to re-visit what they affectionately call “NOLA Post-Katrina.”
I told them they had a lot of work to do.
I landed—blurry eyed from SXSW—and was met with true southern hospitality. So this is New Orleans.
Fast forward three days of intense / informative sessions: City revitalization, today’s digital landscape, film and tourism. Let’s stop talking and start doing! How can I help bring people to New Orleans?
I’m a convert.
Highlights of what NOLA means today:
3rd largest film city (after Los Angeles & New York). The NOLA tax credit program provides a 30% tax credit on qualified production expenditures and an additional 5% credit for Louisiana resident labor expenditures.*
Tax breaks for Digital Companies. Tax credit program provides a 25% tax credit on qualified production expenditures and a 35% credit for Louisiana resident labor expenditures.*
Phenomenal restaurants. Eat, stay, love. Check my summary here. Posted on Http://socialdiva.com
Sothern lifestyle living. #16 on the 2011 Best Cities for Families (parenting.com)
Loving community that is invested in the growth of New Orleans.
My take away? If you’re looking for a city with high growth potential, business breaks, lots of jobs, diverse community, entertainment and culture… opportunity abounds in New Orleans.
Conclusion—Move to NOLA. Do business in NOLA. Volunteer in NOLA.
It’s our country; give back and inspire.
*Info provided from the Greater New Orleans, Inc. Regional Economic Alliance
posted: March 27, 2012
NOLAbound Applicant Details
In what city do you currently reside?
New York, NY
What do you love the most about where you live?
I <3 NY. For many reasons, mostly because the longer I live here the more community I feel, I run into people I know on the street all of the time. The energy is fantastic, and the people are straightforward. Business people are serious & accessibility is high.
I ride my bicycle all over the city, which is a convenient, free and green way to get around. We’ve got beautiful parks everywhere, we are surrounded by water, and the tall buildings and views are filled with inspiration & possibility. I also enjoy all of the art, accessibility and business that takes place in our fine city.
In what other cities have you lived?
Atlanta, Miami, LA
What is/was your favorite city and why?
Each city I have lived in and visited has it’s own flavor of uniqueness. But I am the biggest fan of where I live now. It’s NYC and it’s home.
What do you hope to gain from NOLAbound?
I love to travel! I have not been to New Orleans since the hurricane so I think it would be a VIP experience to experience it though this program. I am a social media maven so tweeting about everything while experiencing is so much fun. I am also looking forward to meeting the other 24 participants I think this would be a very fun networking trip where I can also promote the New New Orleans to my readership at http://socialdiva.com
I would also like to contribute in digital thought leadership of the city. This focus of NOLAbound Focus Industries looks completely intriguing.
What is your overall opinion of New Orleans?
I’ve only been to New Orleans once on business. I have not been back there because it looks like it is a party non-stop kind of place. I have outgrown the partying lifestyle so it didn’t appeal to me. I would be happy to be proven wrong and see what all New Orleans has to offer.
Single most important issue facing New Orleans?
More people need to know it is rebuilt & everything there is to do there. Personally, because of my opinion (which I am willing to be reeducated) and not really knowing whether the town has been rebuilt it has been completely off of my radar.
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