Aug 27, 2025
New Orleans isn’t just about beignets and brass bands—it’s a test case for how hotels handle unpredictable demand. I spoke with Ken Jacques, GM of Le Meridien New Orleans, which is operated by Stonebridge, about how he’s planning for 2026 and what it really takes to run a hotel in a city built on events.
Here’s what stood out:
- Hotels can’t just copy last year’s budget — they’re recalibrating daily
- Events like Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, and UFC change everything for revenue planning
- Instinct plays as big a role as spreadsheets when forecasting demand
- International travel remains a wild card that could shake up results
- New Orleans is seeing its cleanest, safest stretch in decades—and that’s great for business
Ken pulls back the curtain on hotel strategy giving me new perspective on how leaders adapt in real time.
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