March 26, 2008 (New Orleans, La.) - The annual Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company's General Manager's conference will be held in New Orleans from March 31, 2008 - April 4, 2008. One day of the conference will be devoted to a Habitat for Humanity build in the Musician's Village. On Tuesday, April 1st roughly seventy (70) Ritz-Carlton executives will empty the contents of their eco-friendly "build bag² which includes everything from gloves, safety goggles, hats and bandanas to sunscreen and will begin wielding hammers to help erect a Habitat home in the Musician's Village.
Chief Operating Officer (COO) Simon Cooper chose New Orleans as the site for their annual conference, the theme of which is One Brand, One Vision, One Voice. "As we continue to enhance our social efforts through community programs at our hotels worldwide, it is altogether fitting that we come together in New Orleans to take part in the recovery of this great city² said Mr. Cooper. Attendees are traveling from as far away as Malaysia, Moscow, Ireland, China and Japan to conduct relief work, participate in workshops and enjoy one of America's greatest treasures, New Orleans.
In addition to the Musician's Village service hours, the company is donating a percentage of the GM's conference fees to the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity (NOAHH). Since its reopening, The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans has donated funds to local relief organizations including NOAHH through the sale of voluntourism room packages (Crescent City Comeback, A Night of Jazz and Bring Back the Big Easy) while employees have donated service hours. The hotel has worked hand-in-hand with meeting planners to organize relief projects, in lieu of a typical team-building exercise, so that groups like Coca Cola and the NBA can make a difference through voluntourism.
The 2008 Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company General Manager's conference will be held at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans from March 31, 2008 until April 4, 2008.
In 2007 alone, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company donated over $7.4 million in products and services to charitable organizations, while employees contributed over 40,000 hours of volunteer work. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. of Chevy Chase, Md., (USA) currently operates 70 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Over 20 projects are under development around the globe. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which recognizes outstanding customer service.
For more information contact The Ritz-Carlton toll free reservations at 1 (800) 241-3333, your travel consultant or visit www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans is located at 921 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112.
Contact: Char Schroeder/ Director of Public Relations/ The Ritz-Carlton Hotels of New Orleans/ 921 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70112/ Tel: 504-524-1331/ E-Mail: char.schroeder@ritzcarlton.com
