A local point of view
I have lived away since 2001, but was born and raised 30 years in the New Orleans area and have plenty of family I visit here several times a year. Being here with NAR has been extremely bittersweet for me.
Part of it has been very good: It’s literally awesome that tens of thousands of real estate professionals have committed themselves to attending this event in this city, and equally amazing how many have gotten down into the dirt to help improve New Orleans.
When I participated in a Habitat build early in the week, I was struck by the number of volunteers in our group and that so many already knew something about putting up siding from other Habitat projects they’d done.
No one allowed themselves time for self-congratulation, jumping instead immediately to work, seemingly racing to accomplish as much as they could before we broke for lunch and the dedication/key presentation at a neighboring house.
It is hard to publicly face the loss and need that require this kind and quantity of generosity. There’s no room for bull-headed pride or tear-soaked nostalgia amid the stark reality that New Orleans desperately needs the physical and economic boost this REALTORS® conference is providing. But what host wants to have to ask you to help buy the food and build the table when she invites you over for dinner?
Another great thing about this event is that it is allowing New Orleans to do what she has always done best: welcome folks to share – and even inspire them to contribute to – her vibrant local color and spicy warmth by accommodating patrons at her restaurants, guests at her hotels, and shoppers in her stores. It’s hospitality service, not a handout, so she can bypass the handshake for the hug without having to avert her eyes.
