Exhibitor guide · Downtown New Orleans, Louisiana
Hyatt Regency New Orleans: the exhibitor's guide
200,000 square feet of meeting space next to the Superdome, a hotel that sheltered recovery crews after Hurricane Katrina before its $275 million rebuild, and 50,000 square feet of dedicated exhibit hall on carpet. What exhibitors need to know.
Why this page exists
This hotel's most famous image is also its darkest: the broken windows with curtains blowing out, photographed worldwide after Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, when the building sheltered recovery crews, city officials and medical personnel. The $275 million redevelopment that reopened the hotel in 2011 rebuilt it into a genuine convention property with a dedicated 50,000 sq ft exhibit hall, not just meeting rooms, right next to the Superdome. This guide covers the meeting and exhibit space, Louisiana's labor rules, drayage, and hotels nearby.
The building
The meeting and exhibit space
| Space | What it is | Typical shows | Booth planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhibit hall | A dedicated 50,000 sq ft hall, part of more than 80,000 sq ft of total exhibition space. | Association trade shows | Carpeted; confirm floor protection requirements. |
| Two ballrooms | 25,000 sq ft each. | General sessions, galas | Distinct rigging points from the exhibit hall. |
| 70 meeting rooms | Including 19 executive-level rooms and 7 permanent boardrooms. | Breakouts, association meetings | Hand-carry and tabletop formats. |
Figures from Hyatt's published meeting space overview for the property.
The labor map
Who sets up my booth?
Louisiana's right-to-work law applies at the Hyatt Regency the same as at the MCCNO; confirm hand-carry and self-install allowances with the show's official decorator, since hotel shows often set tighter rules than a convention-center floor.
Full-time staff, no card required
Confirm your specific show's hand-carry allowance with the official decorator.
Carpet protection
Heavier displays may need floor protection ordered through the hotel or decorator.
Exhibitor-appointed contractors
Purple files as your EAC for Hyatt Regency New Orleans shows.
History
From Katrina to a $275 million rebuild
Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans; the Hyatt Regency's shattered windows and blowing curtains become one of the storm's most widely published images. The hotel serves as a refuge for recovery crews, city officials and medical personnel in the storm's aftermath.
The property undergoes a comprehensive, years-long rebuild.
The Hyatt Regency New Orleans reopens after a $275 million redevelopment, with 1,193 guest rooms and suites and 200,000 sq ft of meeting and event space, including a dedicated 50,000 sq ft exhibit hall, transforming it into a genuine convention property adjacent to the Superdome.
Free tool
Hyatt Regency drayage estimator
Planning numbers for 2026 and 2027; your show's exhibitor kit has the tariff.
Logistics
Hotels, transit, crew logistics
- Airport: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International is about 25–30 minutes.
- Location: directly adjacent to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, connected by skybridge.
- Walking: the CBD and French Quarter are both within a short walk or streetcar ride.
- Crew: Purple coordinates Gulf South crews for downtown New Orleans installs.
| Hotel | Distance | Why exhibitors pick it |
|---|---|---|
| CBD hotels along Loyola Avenue | Walking distance | Closest options to the property. |
| French Quarter hotels | 15–20-min walk or streetcar | Restaurants and nightlife nearby. |
Questions
Hyatt Regency New Orleans FAQ
Is this a carpet or concrete floor?
Carpet in the ballrooms and meeting rooms; the dedicated 50,000 sq ft exhibit hall has its own flooring. Confirm floor protection needs with the decorator.
Is this the hotel from the Katrina photos?
Yes. Its broken windows and blowing curtains were one of the most widely published images of the 2005 storm; the property was completely rebuilt and reopened in 2011.
How close is the Superdome?
Directly adjacent, connected by skybridge.
How much is drayage?
Purple's planning estimate is about $160 per hundredweight in 2026 and 2027, with a 200-pound minimum.
How much meeting space does the Hyatt Regency New Orleans have?
200,000 square feet of meeting space, including more than 80,000 sq ft of exhibition space and two 25,000 sq ft ballrooms.
When did the hotel reopen?
2011, after a $275 million redevelopment.
Exhibiting at the Hyatt Regency?
Send us the show and booth number. You get a carpet-conversion checklist, a drayage estimate, and a build timeline within two business days.
Venue guides
Every venue we have a guide for
Same standard, every hall: the building, the rules, the tools and the calendar.