Dress Code
People always ask us about the dress code, so here is our standard answer. You are in New Orleans – there is no dress code – anything goes. In past years attendees have probably mostly fit into a business casual look. You may see speakers with suits and ties on – please don’t hassle them for being overdressed – anything goes.
Transport from the Airport
Taxicabs: This is the cheapest and easiest option for 2 or more people
A cab ride costs $33.00 from the airport to the Central Business District (CBD) for one or two persons and $14.00 (per passenger) for three or more passengers. Pick-up is on the lower level, outside the baggage claim area. There may be an additional charge for extra baggage. Taxis are required to offer a credit card payment option. Taxis are readily available at all hours from the hotel.
Airport Shuttle: This is the cheapest and easiest option for a single traveler
Shuttle service is available from the airport to the hotels in the CBD for $20.00 (per person, one-way) or $38.00 (per person, round-trip). Three bags per person. Call 1-866-596-2699 or (504) 522-3500 for more details or to make a reservation. Reservations for regular service from the airport are not required but may make the process a little faster at the airport. Reservations are required for a return trip from the hotel. Ticket booths are located on the lower level in the baggage claim area. www.airportshuttleneworleans.com.
Restaurants
New Orleans is known as one of the best eating cities in the country. Restaurants are everywhere, and many great restaurants are within 2-3 blocks of the hotel. The hotel has a concierge desk in the lobby and does a great job of directing you to the type of restaurant you are looking for.
The Hotel Monteleone is undergoing some major renovations of their in-house restaurants, and it is unclear whether they will be reopened by the conference date. We will be offering a free breakfast in the conference room each morning, and lunch the first day. If you are looking for an alternative breakfast option or quick lunch for day 2 here are a few close by places on the lower end of the price range.
Quick & Easy Breakfast and Lunch
Cafe Beignet
New Orleans' Cafe provides a grand cafe setting outside and in, and the best coffee and beignets anywhere. Breakfast Served All Day. New Orleans Cajun Specialties and Fried Seafood Also Available. Two locations - 334-B Royal Street (one block down Royal St from the Monteleone) and 311 Bourbon Street (a couple blocks away – live jazz starts at 10AM)
Cafe Fleur-de-Lis
Located in the heart of the French Quarter, this restaurant serves delicious favorites like our famous Fleur de Lis Omelet as well as pastries, fruits, salads, sandwiches and burgers.
Daisy Dukes
Daisy Dukes serves great breakfast, cajun and southern dishes, hot and spicy Louisiana boiled crawfish and oysters all day and night. Free refills on coffee and Bloody Mary's ! Oysters on the 1/2 shell only $6.00 per half dozen
Acme Oyster House – Our personal must visit each year place
The pearl of New Orleans' restaurants where the locals eat, Acme Oyster House invites area residents as well as visitors to enjoy its marvelous ambiance, fresh seafood from Louisiana waters, and undeniably local charm. Not open for breakfast. Open for lunch at 11AM. Just half a block from the hotel. Often there is quite a line in the evenings.
Tradition
The Café Du Monde Excursion – The Café Du Monde is world famous for their beignets and café au lait. They are open 24 hours a day. Our executive director fell in love with the place the first year we held our conference in New Orleans, and every year he leads at late night excursion of whichever conference attendees want to come along to indulge in this deep fried treat. Where else can a concerned citizen have a casual conversation with a pipeline company president or a high up federal regulator while each dumps powdered sugar all over themselves? Don’t where dark colors! The excursion is usually followed by a stroll back to the hotel down Bourbon Street, where it is always a challenge to not stare too much at the various goings on that one does not normally see at home. Pay attention for the announcement of this event at the conference.
Liquid refreshments – The French Quarter in New Orleans is one of the few places where people are allowed to wander freely with alcoholic drinks in hand. While there are restaurants all over the place there are even more bars. No trip to the Hotel Monteleone is complete without a late night ride on the carousel in the hotel lounge – just be careful getting off.
