New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

The first portion of this complex was constructed as part of the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition. A series of additions in subsequent decades expanded the center further upriver until it stretched almost 11 blocks along the Mississippi. The front of the main building is 1 kilometer long. In 1992, the complex was named in honor of Ernest N. Morial, the city's first African American mayor. It has about 1.1 million square feet of exhibit space. After Hurricane Katrina passed through the city in 2005, thousands of evacuees were directed here by police and word of mouth, with the expectation that there would be provisions, aid, and evacuation buses. No such resources were there for several days. Around 20,000–25,000 people gathered at the complex in conditions with no power, no water, no food, no medical supplies, no proper sanitation, and only minimal occasional law enforcement presence. There were reports of multiple deaths from causes including violence, dehydration, and lack of medication for the ill. The poor conditions and lack of prompt government response were revealed to the nation on CNN and Fox. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff falsely claimed to be unaware of any problem even after the networks had been broadcasting images and live reports from inside. The convention center was declared evacuated on September 4. After serving as a temporary medical clinic for some time, the structure again began welcoming conventions in early 2006. The Convention Center finished a complete renovation of the facility in November 2006. Since 2018, it has been undergoing a $557 million multi-phased renovation set for completion in late 2029.