TALES OF THE COCKTAIL 2008 ANNOUNCES ECONOMIC IMPACT ON NEW ORLEANS

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA-The results of a recent Visitor Profile and Economic Impact Study for Tales of the Cocktail 2008 conducted by the University of New Orleans Division of Business and Economic Research show the total economic impact produced by the 7th annual event was $7.6 million. State and local governments realized over $560,000 in tax revenue as a result of the five-day festival. Tales of the Cocktail is a global event with the majority of attendees (73.9%) not living in the Greater New Orleans area. International visitors came from Canada (53.8%), the United Kingdom (15.4%), the Netherlands (7.7%), Austria (7.7%) and France (7.7%).

Visitors spent an average of $1,341 during their trip to the New Orleans area. Tales of the Cocktail attracts an affluent visitor (22.5% with incomes above $100,000) who spent an average of $312.70 with the largest proportion on restaurants/meals, lodging, bars/nightclubs and shopping. On average $103.06 per person was spent on daily meals.

While most of Tales of the Cocktail visitors were repeat attendees (41.4%) the event is continuing to attract new visitors each year (58.9%). Tales of the Cocktail features cocktail events such as dinner-pairings, cocktail demos and tastings, seminars, mixing competitions, design expos, book-signings and much more. Of the respondents who attended seminars, the majority (63.3%) attended 5 or more sessions and the average number of seminars attended was 6.5.

The vast majority (97.3%) of visitors stayed overnight in the New Orleans area and an overwhelming majority of visitors (94.4%) stayed in hotels. Three-fourths of visitors (75%) stayed 4 or more days in the New Orleans area. The average number of nights stayed was 4.5.

Summary of Additional Findings:

• 94% of visitors were in New Orleans primarily for Tales of the Cocktail


• 59.2% of attendees were between the ages of 36-64


• 93.8% of attendees plan on attending Tales of the Cocktail next year

Tales of the Cocktail has increased attendance 25% from 2007 to 2008. This study shows the huge impact that the event has had on New Orleans. Tales of the Cocktail will only continue to grow and continually be recognized as the premier cocktail event to attend.

About Tales of the Cocktail
Tales of the Cocktail, a culinary and cocktail festival features award-winning mixologists, authors, bartenders, chefs and designers in the New Orleans French Quarter at five days of cocktail events such as dinner-pairings, cocktail demos and tastings, seminars, mixing competitions, design expos, book-signings and much more.

About the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society
The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to benefit hospitality industry members, produces Tales of the Cocktail annually. Its mission it so preserve the rich history of the restaurants and bars of New Orleans and the unique culture of dining and drinking famous to the city, while educating locals, visitors, and the hospitality industry about this culinary heritage. The 2008 project will be the Behind the Bar photo exhibit described below.

Tales of the Cocktail announces Behind the Bar Photo Exhibit
New Orleans Bars to be Preserved in Photo Exhibit
Tales of the Cocktail, the annual dining and drinking extravaganza, which is produced by the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society, will unveil its newest medium to further their “cocktail cause”. “Behind the Bar” is an exhibit of photographs taken in New Orleans bars and restaurants that convey the “spirit” behind cocktail culture in New Orleans. The month long exhibit will open on Wednesday, October 1st and display photographs selected by a panel of judges including award winning photographer and author, Kerri McCaffety and designer and author, Phillip Collier.

“Behind the Bar” will be on display at Art for Arts Sake this fall, 2008 at the W New Orleans.

W Hotel New Orleans
333 Poydras Street
New Orleans, LA