Preparations for the 2018 NOA National Convention, Opera’s Tradition and Rebirth: New Orleans 1796-2018, are in motion with an exciting and diverse group of speakers, award recipients, and presenters who will impact all convention attendees and energize our organization. International operatic superstar Greer Grimsley will start it all off as our keynote speaker on Thursday, followed over the next few days by 23 diverse plenary and breakout sessions on topics ranging from historical operatic production to using cutting edge projected imagery. Of course other highlights will include our three competitions, where top-notch judges are lined up to help guide young competitors. And then we will wrap up the conference with celebrations of the achievements of Virginia Zeani and John Moriarty, both giants in the field of opera.
 
We have chosen to hold the convention this year in the heart of the Big Easy at the Loews New Orleans Hotel, whose hospitality and proximity to the Warehouse District and the Historic French Quarter we will all enjoy.  A special thanks to all of our committee heads, the board, and our local committee of Mark Clark, Loraine Sims, and Rachel Harris, who are all working hard to make sure the 2018 Convention in New Orleans will be a very special one.
Ben Brecher, VP for conventions