Reflecting on the Hurricane Katrina Anniversary: A Journey of Healing and Hope
The Katrina anniversary is more than a date on the calendar—it’s a celebration of New Orleans as a living, breathing testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of community. Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina, our Hosts New Orleans team reflects on a journey of transformation—growing deeper roots, stronger bonds, and a renewed devotion to the place we are proud to call home.
“It was truly heartwarming to witness an entire city come together to heal—neighbors helping neighbors, strangers checking in on one another, and an incredible outpouring of support from people far beyond our community. That unity brought us both relief and strength.” – Serena Melancon
New Orleans has never been a city that simply recovers. We reinvent. We add more brass to the band, more spice to the gumbo, more joy to the dance. We’ve faced challenges—hurricanes, economic downturns, a global pandemic—and each time, we’ve emerged with sharper skills, broader vision, and an even greater capacity to welcome the world.
Two decades after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans thrives with renewed hospitality and unshakable spirit
Over the past twenty years, we’ve seen our hospitality industry not just return, but thrive. Hotels gleam with new life. Neighborhoods hum with the sounds of festivals, music, and laughter. Restaurants and venues tell stories of resilience through every dish and every performance. Every event we host is infused with the city’s unique rhythm—a rhythm that can only be found here.
“Resilience is more than bouncing back. It’s building something stronger, and doing it with love. Our community has learned to connect deeper and to celebrate life with even greater purpose. I think that’s what makes our team different. We’re not just planners. We’re people who understand joy like it’s sacred.” – Yvonne Collazo
Our work is more than logistics—it’s about connection. It’s about giving every guest a front-row seat to the soul of New Orleans. Whether it’s a second line parade down Canal Street, a candlelit dinner in a historic courtyard, or a grand gala in a ballroom with the scent of magnolias in the air, we create moments that linger long after the last song is played.
“Katrina tested our strength, but it also revealed our calling. Every event we help bring to life is an open door, a warm table, and a reminder that love can rebuild more than walls—it can rebuild a city.” – Holly Valenti
Gratitude for Those Who Keep the Beat Alive
And we could not do this without those who believe in us. To the clients, partners, and friends who continue to choose New Orleans for their meetings, incentives, and celebrations—you are part of our heartbeat. Your events don’t just fill venues; they fill our city with life. Your belief fuels our growth, sustains our culture, and ensures that the magic of New Orleans is shared with the world.
That magic is beautifully captured in New Orleans & Company’s “Built to Host” campaign, a tribute to the city’s unmatched ability to welcome with authenticity, charm, and joy. Here in New Orleans, hospitality isn’t just what we do—it’s who we are. We were built for it.
Today, the city hums with a heartbeat that’s stronger than ever. You feel it in the brass bands leading second lines through the French Quarter, in the cheers of a rooftop toast at sunset, and in the laughter that rolls out of a neighborhood block party. This is a city that doesn’t just stand—it dances. Because no matter the challenge, New Orleans always finds a way to turn resilience into celebration.
And at Hosts Global, we’re honored to keep the music playing and to help the world dance with us.
