By Tom McClimon and Jocelyn Bogen
May 14, 2012

New Orleans Mayor Mitchell Landrieu and The U.S. Conference of Mayors hosted the first city-focused World Cultural Economic Forum held May 2-4 in New Orleans. American mayors, along with mayors and cultural officials from over 50 cities or countries from around the world attended this first-ever event. The World Cultural Economic Forum (WCEF) connected mayors and thought leaders from across the globe to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and shape the discussion on culture as an effective tool to spur innovation.

"Culture is about the heart and soul of a city," stated Conference of Mayors President Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, who gave the keynote address at the opening session. The mayor talked about the importance that arts and culture mean to his city of Los Angeles. "Arts and culture mean jobs for our residents as well they promote the livability of our cities."

Landrieu, Chair of the Conference of Mayors Standing Committee on Tourism, Arts Parks, Entertainment and Sports Committee, discussed with the participants the importance that culture plays in the economic development of his city and state. "Everybody has their own cultural economy." He cited that in his city artists, musicians, visual artists and other people whose jobs are tied to the New Orleans cultural accounted for about 14 percent of the local workforce, or over 30,000 jobs in 2011.

In a plenary panel session, "The Influence of Cultural on Global Change," Landrieu was joined by His Excellency Nikoloz Rurua, Minister of Culture & Monument Protection of the country of Georgia and His Excellency Rene Jean Jumeau, Secretary of State for Energy of Haiti.

The session was moderated by Melissa Harris-Perry, host of MSNBC's "Melissa Harris Perry" show. One of the key discussion points was the need for a new Culture Marshall Plan to focus on arts education and artists incentives in countries around the world.

A number of mayors served as panelists for the breakout sessions. Conference of Mayors Past President Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth B. Kautz and Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker participated in the session "Cultural Economy: An Engine for Prosperous Cities." Conference of Mayors Second Vice President Mesa Mayor Scott Smith and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman served as panelists for the session, "Culture as a Tool for Increased Quality of Place."

All of the mayors, elected officials, and representatives from countries participated in a Live Global Town Hall, an unprecedented live broadcast conversation about the cultural economy. The participants discussed a number of ways cities around the globe are using culture to revitalize cities for economic development and social progress.

On the second day of the WCEF, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan addressed the participants. "Arts and culture drive neighborhoods. An economy based on culture, is an economy that will last," stated the Secretary.

In giving the WCEF's closing remarks, Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran talked about the strong support the nation's mayors have always given the arts, including being the only state and local government organization that has called for the creation of a Secretary of Culture. He pledged the Conference of Mayors support for next year's WCEF.

The WCEF concluded with the participants attending the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival presented by Shell-an annual celebration of the music, food, and culture of New Orleans with an economic impact of over $200 million.