FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVALS, INC. NAMES MARCI SCHRAMM NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

NEW ORLEANS (January 18, 2008) – French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) has hired Marci Schramm to serve as the organization’s new Executive Director. In this position, Ms. Schramm will serve under the French Quarter Festivals, Inc. board of directors and will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations and carrying out the mission of the 25-year old organization. Ms. Schramm has more than 10 years experience in the New Orleans arts and non-profit communities. She begins at French Quarter Festivals, Inc. on Monday, January 21.

Ms. Schramm most recently served as Executive Director for the New Orleans Opera Association and has worked in the field of opera since 1994 at companies such as Michigan Opera Theatre in Detroit and Opera Pacific in Orange County, California.

She has held the positions of Marketing and Public Relations Director as well as Development and Fundraising and worked on major events such as the $100 million capital campaign and grand opening of the Detroit Opera House, which featured Luciano Pavarotti and Joan Sutherland in April 1996. She served as Publicity Director for Michigan Opera Theatre's Three Tenors Concert, and only North American appearance that year, at Detroit’s historic Tiger Stadium in July 1999. Later that year she was publicist for superstar Andrea Bocelli’s North American opera debut at the Detroit Opera House in November 1999.

Additionally, she served as Executive Director for the Friends of the Cabildo at the Louisiana State Museum and worked as a Corporate Events Planner for Entergy Corporation at their world headquarters in New Orleans.

The 25th anniversary of French Quarter Festival (FQF25), the largest free music festival in the Southeast United States, is being produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc., the 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, which also produces Satchmo SummerFest in August and Christmas New Orleans Style in December. French Quarter Festivals, Inc. promotes the Vieux Carré and the City of New Orleans through high quality special events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of this unique city, contribute to the economic well being of the community, and instill increased pride in the people of New Orleans.

For more information on all FQFI festivals and events, call 504-522-5730 or visit online at French Quarter Festivals Inc..