Mardi Gras comes around just once a year, but groups can still enjoy the Carnival atmosphere anytime at Mardi Gras World (www.mardigrasworld.com), one of the largest event venues in New Orleans. At the heart of Mardi Gras World is Blaine Kern Studios, the organization responsible for most of New Orleans’ jaw-dropping parade floats since 1947.
During the day, groups can tour through the float warehouse and view some of the studios’ most stunning work, whether it’s a parade float under construction or the bright, colorful sculptures that give Mardi Gras its unique New Orleans personality. At night, though, is when the party truly starts with a variety of locations, including the warehouse itself (depending on season); the antebellum replica Grand Oaks Mansion, perfect for a cocktail reception; a spacious ballroom accommodating up to 3,000 guests for a concert; and an outdoor plaza that can accommodate more than 10,000 in a festival setting.
“The bulk of our business is corporate,” says Brian Kern, director of sales for Mardi Gras World. “In New Orleans there aren’t many large private venues, so we offer a unique space.”
Some of their clients have included Microsoft, which had 6,500 attendees entertained with four different bands playing in separate areas of the space, and 6,000 attendees for the NFL Media party during this year’s Super Bowl festivities.
While the Mardi Gras floats give party-goers plenty to ooh and aah over, the attraction is also located on a prime spot along the Mississippi River, next to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, so the view is lovely both inside and out. Mardi Gras World moved to this new location in 2009, which gave them room to expand and made the facility convenient for off-site events. A shuttle makes traveling to and from the attraction even easier.
An event is only limited by the planner’s budget and imagination, according to Kern. One Super Bowl event attracted more than 10,000 people with an 88,000-square-foot tent and featured entertainment by Pitbull and Justin Timberlake. Smaller corporate events are always welcome as well, and Kern frequently arranges for a diverse selection of talent, from tarot readers and magicians to popular local musicians like Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters.
“Rockin’ Dopsie is great with corporate groups,” Kern says. “He gets people up and dancing.”
Kern stresses that groups of all sizes are welcome at the facility. In addition to concerts and parties, he can set up a mini-float building event for team building, mask-making workshops or a late evening tour with a dinner in the venue’s cafe, which is perfect for 100 guests or less.
