Biz Talks

Voting is going on this week on four amendments to Louisiana’s constitution. One of those, Amendment 2, would be the biggest change to the state’s constitution since it was adopted in 1974. Sanders Colbert, tax attorney with Stone Pigman law firm, explains a bit about what this amendment would mean for local businesses.

This week we’re starting to get ramped up for the 14th return of New Orleans Entrepreneur Week March 24 - 29. Among many firsts this year will be the first Startup Noir Nola Mini Summit – a free, full-day event focused on celebrating Black entrepreneurs and investors, with a lineup focused on funding, scaling, and breaking barriers to growth. To share more about the Startup Noir Nola initiative, a...

The Trump administration is pushing for drastic cuts to medical research around the country — a move that was paused by a federal judge last week pending the results of a lawsuit filed by 22 states. What would cuts mean locally? This week we talked with Patrick Norton, senior VP and COO for Tulane University, who shared what the funding drop would look like for Tulane and what its broader effects...

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (MCCNO) was completely full during the four days before the Super Bowl, serving as the media center and as home to the Super Bowl Experience that drew more than 100,000 fans. This week, Linda Baynham, director of sustainability and corporate social responsibility at the convention center, as well as its COO, Adam Straight, share how New Orleans sh...

Who decides what Broadway shows we'll have and how does it all work? David Skinner, general manager of the Saenger Theatre, answers this, and many other questions about Broadway and the Saenger. After 50 years spent in the live entertainment business, he also shares stories of the one performer that remains his favorite and why. 

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, StayLocal, Greater New Orleans’ independent business alliance, is kicking off a fun campaign designed to boost relations between New Orleanians and local businesses, as well as among the businesses themselves. Maryann Miller, StayLocal program manager, shares all the details, including for tonight’s kickoff event. RSVP to " Love Letters to Local Businesses ”...

After 19 years, there is finally hope for the former Six Flags site in New Orleans East thanks to the tenacity of Bayou Phoenix, led by native New Orleanian Troy Henry. Henry shares why the project is a very personal one for him, where it's at in development, and when we'll start to see new development.

How are businesses and residents feeling in the French Quarter in the wake of the New Year’s terrorist attack? What are the thoughts going into the Super Bowl? How is the French Quarter Management District adapting its efforts? Jane Cooper, chair of the board of commissioners for the French Quarter Management District, shares her thoughts.

Following the horrific events of New Year’s Eve, Editor Kim Singletary chats with Jane Cooper, chair of the board of commissioners for the French Quarter Management District, to learn about the notable role FQMD plays in the Quarter’s security. Cooper also adds clarification to a recent negative CNN article.

This week, editor Kim Singletary shares the year's top executives from around the city, and who grabbed the top spot of CEO of the Year and why.

This week, producer Kelly Massicot interviews host and editor of Biz New Orleans Magazine Kim Singletary about the stories that made headlines in 2024. From healthcare to banking and Taylor Swift, we've got the Top 10 Stories of the year to round out our 2024 season. Thanks for listening to Biz Talks.

In the second part of our conversation with Amanda and Isaac Toups, the couple share the latest happenings with their nonprofit, Toups Family Meal, including how they, and a growing legion of volunteers, made Halloween and Thanksgiving a little brighter this year. They also share their plans for the upcoming holidays, how you can get involved, and their plans for a major expansion.

Renowned on the culinary scene, chef Isaac Toups is a four-time finalist for  James Beard  “Best Chef: South” and co-owner of the award-winning restaurant Toups Meatery with his wife, Amanda Toups.  Since the pandemic, however, the duo has also co-founded a nonprofit called Toups Family Meal that is dedicated to remedying food insecurity in New Orleans. To date, TFM has served over  175,000 meals...

In the second part of Biz ’s conversation with New Orleans Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Sandra Lindquist looks at the future of the organization, which includes a can’t miss event on Dec. 12, where the organization will hand out its first-ever award to a local business leader.

As the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce celebrates two decades serving area businesses, President and CEO Sandra Lindquist shares how the chamber has evolved to fit the needs of its 1,300 members and growing — including its move into legislative advocacy. She shares details on the chamber’s biggest wins and groundbreaking events.

Anyone interested in the future of energy in Louisiana is invited to attend a free, three-day event at Tulane’s Uptown campus Nov. 13-15. This week, Biz talks with the executive director of the Tulane Energy Institute and Tulane Center of Energy Law who share what most excites them about the forum, and the state’s future.

In the second part of our conversation with Dr. Sonnier at Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, she shares the organization’s plans for the future, including the conversations they’ve been having, and are continuing to have, with area businesses.

Celebrating 10 years this month, the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children is an independent source of data and research on early care and education for young children in the state. CEO Libbie Sonnier shares the biggest successes of the past decade – which have put the state in a surprising spot in state rankings nationwide.

When it comes to input on City Park planning, City Park Conservancy President and CEO Rebecca Dietz joins Bobbie Hill, principal of Concordia, share some of the feedback they’ve received, along with when we can expect to see some new additions in the second part of this two-part conversation.

One of the largest urban parks in the country, City Park is one of the city’s brightest jewels. Now halfway through the planning process for the next few decades, City Park Conservancy President and CEO Rebecca Dietz joins Bobbie Hill, principal of Concordia, to discuss how they’re engaging public opinion in new ways in the first part of this two-part conversation.

In the second part of our conversation with Maloz and Trail, we hear about what the Pontchartrain Conservancy is up to and learn more about the status of the lake, along with some of the efforts being made to try and meet the huge need for workforce in coastal restoration.

Simone Maloz, campaign director of the Restore the Mississippi River Delta Coaltion, and Kristi Trail, executive director of the Pontchartrain Conservancy (a member of the coalition) give Biz Talks an update on the state of our coast and what they're doing, and recommending we do, to save it. 

The big game is fast approaching, but there is still time for local businesses and industries to start working on how they're going to capitalize on the worldwide attention the Super Bowl will bring. In the second part of this conversation, members of the Super Bowl Host Committee share what excites them most about the opportunities.

With the Super Bowl coming to New Orleans in less than five months, the pressure is on for the Super Bowl Host Committee to make sure the welcome mat is rolled out. This week, we chat with the stars of Biz New Orleans ' September issue, who are all playing crucial positions in making sure the region takes home a big win.

Evan Canzoneri the safety services consultant for LWCC, a private, nonprofit mutual insurance company and the largest workers’ compensation carrier in Louisiana, has spent a decade in risk management and prevention working with businesses across Louisiana. In this week’s podcast, he shares the best practices and tips he advises to keep you and your company from unnecessary harm.  Link to step-by-s...