April 27, 2026 (press release) – The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) is now accepting submissions for the WIN Pitch Smart – Retail Ready Competition, to be held June 11 at the Convention Center. The yearly event is a substantial opportunity for small businesses to pitch their shelf-ready retail product to successful business leaders and even have their products sold inside the Convention Center. This event culminates phase 1 of the Convention Center’s WIN Series, which offers small businesses free access to foundational knowledge and growth opportunities.
Hosted by the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority’s Small & Emerging Business (SEB) Program, WIN: Pitch Smart – Retail Ready Competition will be a high-energy ‘Shark Tank’-style competition where local business owners can pitch their retail products to a panel of judges. Judges will evaluate the pitches and products based on market, branding and more. The winning business owner will have the opportunity to sell their product inside Dutch’s Corner, the Convention Center’s in-house convenience store, which sees nearly 800,000 visitors each year.