N'awlins

I'm here in New Orleans attending a conference. With 25,000 attendees, we're the largest group to come to NOLA post-Katrina, taking up just about every hotel room in town and filling all the restaurants. The city has been incredibly hospitable and thrilled to have us and our expense accounts.

I haven't seen any of the stricken areas (staying right between the French Quarter and the convention center), but the tales from everyone I speak to are universal. Whether they were directly affected or not, there is duality of sadness and resignation combined with a spirit of survival. While very different, it reminds me of New York post 9/11 when we were still reeling a bit but so very thankful for the visitors that came and spent their money after tourism had dropped off to zilch.

The town is still wonderfully charming with some of the best food and music in the universe. Come visit and spend your money here. It's for a good cause.