The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center-New Orleans (MCC) is the longest building downtown spanning 10 city blocks. Hosting more than 9.2 million out-of-state visitors since its 1985 opening, the MCC provides an economy boost every time an event is held. Events held at the MCC are linked to more than 30,000 jobs in the local area. The building's 2003 statewide economic impact was $2.56 billion, in direct correlation to spending by more than 600,000 total visitors-including delegates, exhibitors and other guests-in hotels, restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, etc. Over the past 19 years, $1.79 billion in new statewide tax revenue has been generated from the spending of associations, groups, etc. Currently the 7th largest convention center in the nation, the Morial Convention Center commands 1.1 million square feet of contiguous exhibit space in 12 separate/combinable halls, 140 meeting rooms, 2 ballrooms and a 4,000 square-foot Conference Auditorium. The Phase IV expansion will catapult the Morial Center to the 4th largest in the nation and allow the city to host more mid-to-large sized conventions and tradeshows simultaneously.