NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans & Company is pleased to announce that the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C. has confirmed the appointment by the Kingdom of Thailand of New Orleans native Mark Romig as Thailand’s Honorary Consul in Louisiana. This prestigious appointment underscores Romig’s more than four decades of experience in international relations and his commitment to fostering bilateral relations between Thailand and the United States in the 191st year of diplomatic relations, making Thailand the oldest treaty ally of the United States in Asia.
With extensive experience in communications and protocol, Romig is poised to serve as a central figure in promoting cultural exchange and cooperation between Thailand and Louisiana. His appointment as Honorary Consul signifies a commitment to strengthening ties and enhancing mutual understanding between our two nations. Romig will act as a key liaison in New Orleans, serving as a point of contact for Thai citizens and providing assistance to promote Thai interests and facilitate consular services within Louisiana.
Romig commented, “I am looking forward to serving and promoting the unique relationship that the Kingdom of Thailand and the United States enjoy, and representing Thailand throughout Lousiana. The people of Thailand and Lousiana share much in common – a population of passionate citizens, a rich history and culture, amazing cuisine and generous hospitality.”
About the Royal Thai Embassy:
The Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C. began its operation in 1901 as the Legation of Siam (the name of Thailand then) with Minister Plenipotentiary as Chief of Mission. Its first office was located in Arlington, Virginia, before moving to Washington, D.C., in 1913. While in Washington, D.C., the Office was relocated several times, until the Royal Thai Government acquired a plot of land at 2300 Kalorama Road in 1920. By 1921 a new office was built on the said plot which served at the Embassy for 46 years, until 1993. In 1947, the Chief of Mission was elevated to the Ambassadorial level.
With the increase in the number offices affiliated with the Embassy, it became necessary to acquire a new building. Therefore, in 1990, the Royal Thai Government purchased the present premises at 1024 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., to accommodate all offices but one under the auspices of the Royal Thai Government. The extensive renovations were completed in 1993 and the Royal Thai Embassy and its affiliated offices opened the operation in this five-story building since then. Currently, the building houses the following offices:-
- Foreign Affairs
- Office of the Defense Attaché
- Office of the Naval Attaché
- Office of the Air Attaché
- Office of Commercial Affairs
- Office of Economic and Financial Affairs
- Office of Agricultural Affairs
- Office of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation
The Office of Educational Affairs remain at its current address at 1906 23rd Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. The Consular office is located at 2300 Kalorama Road, NW Washington, D.C. 20008.
About Mark Romig:
A native of New Orleans, Mark serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of New Orleans & Company (NOCO), the New Orleans tourism industry’s destination marketing and sales organization. He joined New Orleans & Company in 2020 when New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Corporation, where he served as President and CEO for nine years, merged its tourism marketing efforts into NOCO to create a comprehensive marketing and communications department for the city’s tourism industry. He is also serving as Co-Chair of the Media, PR and Branding Subcommittee for the Super Bowl LIX Host Committee.
Mark’s public relations and marketing career spans more than four decades. Early in his career, he was employed by the Louisiana World Exposition (LWE), which produced the 1984 Louisiana World’s Fair where he served as Director of Protocol and Guest Relations and then went on to Washington, D.C. where he served as Staff Assistant to U.S. Dept. of Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Dole and in a similar capacity for Elizabeth Dole on the campaign team for the 1987-88 presidential campaign of her spouse U.S. Senator Bob Dole. From 1992 to early 2008, Mark was also president of the public relations division of Peter Mayer Advertising, Louisiana’s largest full-service agency. Mark has also been accredited by the Public Relations Society of America (APR). Mark also spent several years as an adjunct faculty member teaching public relation courses at Tulane University College.
In 2013 Mark became the Stadium Announcer for the NFL’s New Orleans Saints in the Caesars Superdome, succeeding his father, Jerry (who served in the same role for 446 consecutive Saints home games over 44 years). Mark is also a member of the Board of Directors of Fidelity Bank, headquartered in New Orleans. Among his community activities, Mark is a member of theBoard of Directors of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, WYES-TV (Chair), Fore!Kids Foundation (Chair), and Methodist Health System Foundation. He also serves on the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Travel and Tourism Advisory Council and as an advisor to the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation. Mark also serves on the Board of Directors of the Saints Hall of Fame. He is a member of the Louisiana Tourism Promotion Commission and an advisor to St. Andrew’s Village.
Mark is a graduate of Brother Martin High School (’74) and the University of New Orleans (UNO) (’78) and was named the 2016 Alumnus of the Year for UNO. In 2017, Mark was awarded the Ordre national du Mérite (National Order of Merit) by the French government and was awarded the Order of Civil Merit, in its degree of Encomienda (Commander) by His Majesty the King Felipe VI. He was the recipient of the 2018 Silver Medal from the New Orleans Advertising Club, its highest honor, for outstanding achievements in his career and for his service to the community. In 2019, he was presented with the Ella Brennan Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality Award by the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the New Orleans Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.
In addition, Mark is a past Chair of the Board for the Louisiana Travel Association. Among other past volunteer roles, he served as International President of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and President as well as President and Chair of the Board of the Allstate Sugar Bowl Committee. He also just completed a six-year role as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Academy of the Sacred Heart, the alma mater of his mother, Janice Collins Romig. His spouse is David A. Briggs.
For media inquiries:
Kelly Schulz – Senior Vice President Communications & Public Relations – New Orleans & Company, (504) 421-0962, kschulz@neworleans.com
Rhonda Cook – New Orleans & Company, 504-556-5866, rcook@neworleans.com
Kay Kramer – Royal Thai Embassy, (301) 919-9641, consulardc1@gmail.com
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