Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu’s World Cultural Economic Forum once again takes place in New Orleans, with panels and showcases of our local music and culture. I’m thrilled to announce that OffBeat will receive the award for Outstanding Contribution to Cultural Tourism. It’s gratifying to know that almost 25 years of work yields recognition. But the real deal for me is that music and culture may finally be recognized as a major contributor to the state economy. I am hoping that the next mayoral regime recognizes this and capitalizes on it. In fact, we are planning to create a platform for New Orleans mayoral candidates to live up to if they want our vote. It’s time we take action, on a political level, to ensure that our most precious and unique resource—our culture—takes top priority in planning the city’s future.

Last week alone, OffBeat has interacted with people from Japan, Greece, England, Russia and Scandinavia who love New Orleans and its music and culture. New Orleans has not adequately positioned itself to capitalize on relationships with these countries on a cultural level. Yes, we’ve discussed shipping and manufacturing and the oil and gas business. But, we’ve not promoted the fact that New Orleans has a totally unique culture that is of intense interest to people outside the U.S. It’s about time we got dead serious about that. I think our survival as a city depends on it.

I’ve always thought that we are definitely the Live Music Capital of the World, but unfortunately, that tagline was co-opted by Austin, Texas, which obviously has more savvy marketers than New Orleans does. The Society of American Travel Writers definitely thinks so, and voted New Orleans as Number 1, with New York and Austin following. An Austin blogger was freaked out by Austin’s Number 3 rank, and the comments following his post all compared Austin to New York. No one even mentioned New Orleans, which I think is great, because it suggests that these guys know our music scene is the best. In this column, I’ve asked our readers what slogan we need to use to promote our music scene. I’ve got a big list, and I’ve forwarded it to our CVB. I’m waiting for the marketing campaign kickoff….and waiting….and waiting!

The Voodoo Music Experience is a great example of how broad our music scene is. Where else can you find Uncle Lionel, the Noisician Coalition, MyNameIsJohnMichael, Allen Toussaint, Quintron, Irma Thomas, Germaine Bazzle, Rotary Downs, Little Freddie King, Lenny Kravitz, the Indie Rock Collective, Frenchmen Street, WWOZ, and OffBeat? The answer is nowhere else. It’s here, baby, and we’re lovin’ it.

It wouldn’t be November without a plug for an OffBeat subscription. Keep up to date with our music, food and culture by purchasing a subscription, if not for yourself, then for friends who may not be able to experience New Orleans every day. Go to OffBeat.com to get your subscription, and be sure to stop by our booth at Voodoo Fest for chances to win a guitar from International Vintage Guitars, a three-foot hookah from the Ra Shop, or a cell phone from Boost Mobile. See you at Voodoo, and have a great, happy, safe Halloween.