Around the world, there has been an exciting new focus on promoting the creative and cultural industries as a major economic force. Countries, states, and communities have looked broadly at the importance of culture's economic contribution, and have recognized that the commercial and nonprofit arts and culture enterprises are of vital economic importance in terms of employment, community empowerment, economic competitiveness, enhanced quality of life, and education.

In Louisiana, the business of culture has taken center stage. To leverage the state's unique heritage and to ensure that it becomes the driving force and embodiment of a global cultural economy, the Office of Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu and the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism have developed the World Cultural Economic Forum (WCEF), which was unveiled in its demonstration year, 2007.

Scheduled for October 2008, and annually thereafter, the WCEF is designed to build infrastructure, markets, and opportunities for cultural and artistic stakeholders around the world. It will build cultural economic development opportunities through the strategic convening of cultural ambassadors and leaders from around the world. Participants will explore best practices and engage in critical conversations designed to improve our cultural economies and to tap culture and creativity as a means of building a better world. In addition, the annual convening will allow participants to promote their cultural and artistic producers, expand markets, and explore avenues that build cultural economic development success. WCEF is positioned to become the "Davos" (World Economic Forum) of culture, and we invite participation from around the globe.