NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) Chief Administrative Officer Alita G. Caparotta was recently recognized by New Orleans Magazine in its “Women of Impact” section. This distinction recognizes 14 women in the Greater New Orleans region who are passionate about their chosen field and create positive change in the community. This year’s honorees represent leaders across multiple industries including energy, real estate, engineering and hospitality.
“On behalf of our entire team, I congratulate Alita Caparotta for being recognized for her steadfast commitment to the Convention Center, the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority, and the Greater New Orleans region,” said Michael J. Sawaya, President and CEO of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. “Her significant contributions have enabled us to embark on our multi-million-dollar improvements project and continue serving our community as an anchor for the city’s tourism economy.”
Caparotta has held leadership roles with the convention center for 24 years and currently leads the finance and administrative departments as the Chief Administrative Officer. In this role, she oversees the financial aspects of Convention Center operations and major projects, including the ongoing $557 million Capital Improvement Plan, which is the largest renovation project in the region. In addition to heading the finance and administrative departments, she also oversees the operations of the legal, insurance, information technology and human resources departments at the Convention Center.
Additional highlights of her two decades in leadership include her thoughtful and strategic financial planning throughout pandemic-related shut downs in 2020, which kept all staff on payroll and construction projects on track. Caparotta also spearheaded a cost-of-living adjustment in May 2022 for all full-time employees. In 2023, her financial guidance led to the Convention Center’s governing board receiving high bond ratings from both Fitch Ratings and Moody’s Investor Services.
In June 2024, Caparotta and her team launched the Convention Center’s new iCollab space and Skills Studio. The iCollab program, initiated in 2021, is an employee-driven initiative designed to help drive innovation and encourage employees to embrace failure as a stepping stone to success. The Skills Studio offers a dedicated area for employees to enhance their professional development through soft skills training and project management sessions.
Maintaining her Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant certifications, Caparotta is active in several professional organizations outside, including the U.S. Financial Executives Group, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), Women in Public Finance and the International Women’s Forum. She is a champion of financial literacy and actively serves on committees with the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants and is a New Orleans Chamber of Commerce board member.
New Orleans CityBusiness recognized Caparotta as a “Power 20” honoree in Tourism and Hospitality and a “Women of the Year” in 2023. She was selected as a CityBusiness “Money Makers” recipient in 2012 and 2018.
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