Whether you’re visiting for the legendary Mardi Gras celebrations or just experiencing the scenes and sounds of the French Quarter, New Orleans has a lot to take in visually. While the “Big Easy” may be famous for its more traditional and historical architectural styles, like any major city, you are sure to spot some impressive AV technology over the course of your trip.

In honor of the recent Mardi Gras celebrations and to help the city celebrate its 300^th birthday, we are taking a look at how NOLA implements displays and sounds throughout the city.

Predicting Victory

Between 2000 and 2012, NFL fans had the opportunity to vote for their favorite team for a chance to see them featured on a Tempt Destiny billboard. Over time, the rules of the competition have evolved into an experiment in “how choice predetermines the certainty or probability of the event that follows.” Long story short: can a billboard painting predict a team’s Super Bowl victory? The answer is unclear, but in 2010 the Saints Tempt Destiny billboard went up throughout the greater New Orleans area and days later they won their first Super Bowl win when they beat Indianapolis 31-17.

Remembering Disaster

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, leaving the city of New Orleans underwater, going down as one of the largest natural disasters in U.S. history. Thousands of city residents were forced from their homes, while more than 700 people lost their lives. In 2015, the city marked its 10-year anniversary of the storm, but despite the mass devastation the city has been revitalized and has come together closer and stronger.

Superdome Super Bowls

Home of the New Orleans Saints as well as the college football Sugar Bowl, the Superdome is the largest fixed domed structure in the world, playing host to numerous major sporting events and other entertainment events. The stadium first opened for the 1975 NFL season and has gone through a few rounds of renovations and refurbishments since then, including $185 million repairs following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, a $320 million remodeling in 2006, and most recently in 2016 the installation of new end zone scoreboards and a complete upgrade to the interior floodlighting system.

Saenger Theatre

Like many of the historic NOLA buildings, the Saenger Theatre, originally built in 1927, was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and restored and reopened in September 2013. The new state-of-the-art building includes an upgraded technical system, making it the most technically advanced theatre in the south.

Celebrating 300 Years

2018 marks the 300^th anniversary for the city of New Orleans. To celebrate, the city is not only taking a look back at its history, but is announcing improvements and plans for the city to create an even better future. Among the many projects, the Mayor has proposed a full-scale restoration and preservation of the historic Gallier Hall. As one of the most important structures in New Orleans, Gallier Hall has served as City Hall for over a century and is currently located at Duncan Plaza. Updates to the hall include a number of interior enhancements, including the installation of a state-of-the art audio and video system, which will help the city protect and preserve its history while preparing for the best possible use in the future.