Helping New Orleans' rebirth, AICPA holds healthcare conference in big easy.

As part of its ongoing commitment to help rebuild New Orleans, the AICPA decided to hold the National Healthcare Industry Conference in the city Nov. 2-3. Prior efforts supporting the people and businesses of New Orleans included matching AICPA employee donations to relief campaigns, organizing a Disaster Recovery Resource Center and mobilizing a CPA volunteer center to provide pro bono tax assistance to Katrina's victims.

New Orleans has already made great progress in restoring its downtown business district and tourist areas. Here are some highlights:

* 70% of regional businesses are up and running (Greater New Orleans Inc.).

* More than 1,037 restaurants have received recertification.

* 27,000 hotel rooms are in service, including the new Harrah's casino hotel.

* By early June 2006, Louis Armstrong Airport is expected to have 101 daily flights, which is 61% of its pre-Katrina total of 166 daily flights.

* All major clean up in the Downtown Business District...