William Loiry Hosts Gulf Coast Leadership Summit

William Loiry hosted the Gulf Coast Leadership Summit, held April 18 - 21, 2011 in New Orleans. The inaugural forum provided an invaluable service to New Orleans and residents of the U.S. Gulf Coast:

* The Summit brought together hundreds of business, government, nonprofit, and community leaders to discuss specific strategies to empower a healthy and economically vibrant Gulf Coast.
* Senator Bob Graham and Members of the National Oil Spill Commission pushed for implementation of regulations which would help prevent another oil spill disaster.
* Ken Feinberg promised nonprofit organizations that he would look into reimbursing them for services rendered to Gulf Coast residents affected by the oil spill.
* Senator Mary Landrieu promised Gulf Coast residents that she would make their oil spill-related health concerns a major priority.
* And Senator Landrieu used the Summit's Concluding General Session to announce BP's $1 billion contribution for Gulf Coast coastal recovery.
More than 700 leaders and residents participated in the various events of the Summit, which included numerous general sessions, a town hall meeting, press conferences and interviews, networking events, receptions, and a solutions expo.

Dozens of speakers made powerful presentations on a wide range of Gulf Coast topics, including pending oil spill regulations, the impact of the oil spill on communities, speeding the oil spill compensation process, health perspectives, environmental and coastal restoration, clean energy, and economic development. Speakers included Senator Bob Graham, Co-Chairman of the National Oil Spill Commission; U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu; U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond; U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise; Gulf Coast Claims Facility Administrator Kenneth Feinberg; attorney Daniel E. Becnel, Jr.; Louisiana State Senator A.G. Crowe; Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser; Jefferson Parish President John Young; Orange Beach, Alabama Mayor Tony Kennon; Escambia County, Florida Commissioner Grover Robinson; Entergy CEO Charles Rice; Alabama Coastal Recovery Commission Chairman Ricky Mathews; Gulf Restoration Network Executive Director Cynthia Sarthou; LSU School of Pubic Health Dean Elizabeth Fontham; and dozens of other leaders.

Local, regional, national, and international media coverage of the Summit was substantial.

Loiry subsequently received a letter of commendation from Senator Bob Graham, who wrote, "If the purpose of the Gulf Coast Leadership Summit was to be the premier event of the first anniversary of the Macondo tragedy, then you have exceeded your aspirations. It was attended by the people most involved, focused their attention on not just the event itself, but what steps are needed to mitigate a repetition, and was engaging for all. Congratulations."