New Orleans to Host 2006 Avaya Global Sales and Partner Conference

Avaya is first Fortune 500 Company to book Ernest N. Morial; Convention Center since Hurricane Katrina; Avaya volunteers to support multiple rebuilding efforts

07-Sep-2006 - Basking Ridge, N.J. – A year following Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is showing signs of rebirth, with gains in housing, business and visitor travel. But, the needs of the region remain significant before recovery is fully complete. To support revitalization of the city next month Avaya (NYSE:AV) is planning to hold its 2006 Global Sales and Partner Conference in New Orleans.

Avaya is the first Fortune 500 Company to book an annual conference at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center since the hurricane. The conference will boost the hospitality industry by attracting more than 4000 attendees. Avaya volunteers will also engage in a variety of “teambuilding through rebuilding” initiatives around the city.

“In seeking ways Avaya could continue to provide tangible support for the region, it made sense to schedule this year’s Global Sales Conference in New Orleans and simultaneously coordinate a real, hands-on volunteer effort,” said Lou D’Ambrosio, president and CEO, Avaya Inc. “The hospitality industry plays a significant role in the city’s economy, and sustainable business will translate to more jobs. This is one small way business and industry can support rebuilding the region.”

Attendees to the Avaya conference include employees, members of Avaya’s channel program, exhibitors and alliance partners who will benefit area hotels by booking more than 16,000 room nights during the week the conference and other sessions are held.

“The Avaya Sales and Partner Conference is one of the largest bookings by a public company since Katrina, and the city is well-equipped and ready to serve as its host,” said David Marriott, senior vice president, Global Sales for Marriott International. “Avaya has been a valuable partner to the city in restoring critical communication lines and investing in the rebirth of New Orleans. On behalf of Marriott International and others that make up the French Connection, it’s an honor to welcome Avaya and its partners to New Orleans for this important meeting.”

In conjunction with the conference, a number of Avaya volunteers arriving a day early will dedicate efforts to restoring City Park, one of the oldest and largest urban parks in the U.S. The 1300-acre park was heavily damaged and left without the means to generate resources for recovery. In addition, members of Avaya’s International Commercial Law and Contracting organization from eight countries will spend Tuesday supporting efforts fielded by Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross.

“We look forward to welcoming Avaya to New Orleans—still the most authentic, historic, walkable city in America,” said Stephen Perry, president & CEO of the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (NOMCVB). “The tourism corridor of the city—with its food, music and culture—are alive and well and ready to host corporate meetings.”

Interested parties may send donations to City Park, New Orleans by visiting http://www.neworleanscitypark.com/. You may also learn about other opportunities to help rebuild New Orleans by visiting the Voluntourism page on http://www.nomcvb.com.

About Avaya
Avaya Inc. designs, builds and manages communications networks for more than 1 million businesses worldwide, including over 90 percent of the FORTUNE 500®. Focused on businesses large to small, Avaya is a world leader in secure and reliable Internet protocol (IP) telephony systems and communications software applications and services.

Driving the convergence of voice and data communications with business applications and distinguished by comprehensive worldwide services. Avaya helps customers leverage existing and new networks to achieve superior business results. For more information visit the Avaya website: www.avaya.com.

Contact Information

Deb Kline

Media Relations

Avaya Inc.

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