Spreading the Word that New Orleans is Open for Business

While the common perception may be that New Orleans is still devastated from the hurricane, or worse yet, that it has only recovered its ability to party, in reality a thriving entrepreneurial culture has sprouted in several industries that the NOLABound Program believes can be the foundation for bringing the city's economy back to life.

Hosted by Greater New Orleans, Inc. (a regional economic development alliance), the nonprofit Idea Village, and the New Orleans downtown development district, NOLABound is a week-long event, "that is bringing 25 'social media influencers' from across the country to experience New Orleans' entrepreneurial culture," writes Schwartz.

"The program will highlight four industries: the arts, bioscience, digital media, and sustainability. These are, according to [Curry] Smith, [NOLABound's official spokesperson], the industries that have seen the greatest growth post-Katrina."