Visit Jackson, Partners Shine at MTA Governor's Conference on Tourism
October 7, 2024
Visit Jackson, the official destination leadership organization for the city of Jackson, was honored with four prestigious awards at the Mississippi Tourism Association’s (MTA) Governor’s Conference on Tourism.
The organization was recognized for its exceptional work in tourism promotion and community development during the closing ceremony of the conference today in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
The inaugural JXN Food & Wine Festival won the Small Festival/Event of the Year while Elvie’s won Restaurant of the Year. The City With Soul Celebrity Fam Tour Video won Best Sales Strategy or Campaign, and Jennifer Chance, Visit Jackson’s Chief Financial Officer, won the Tom VanHyning Research-in-Action Award.
"Mississippi’s tourism industry continues to flourish," said Governor Tate Reeves. "Every day, more visitors are discovering the charm of our state as they are drawn in by its natural beauty and the genuine hospitality of our people. It’s no surprise why Mississippi leaves such a lasting impression with our visitors. I want to extend my gratitude to the Mississippi Tourism Association and their members for showcasing all that our state has to offer and congratulate this year’s outstanding award winners."
These awards give MTA the opportunity to recognize members who excel in various sectors of the industry. Awards were presented in 22 categories, each focusing on a different aspect of the hospitality industry or individual achievement.
“We are incredibly honored to receive these prestigious awards from the Mississippi Tourism Association,” said Dr. Rickey Thigpen, Visit Jackson President & CEO. “I’m honored for this recognition, having seen first-hand the incredible competition that exists across the state while serving as MTA’s president this year. I commend the hard work and dedication of our team at Visit Jackson who relentlessly showcases the city's vibrancy, her people, her food and her events while utilizing qualitative and quantitative measures.”
Projects and promotions were completed between June 1, 2023 and May 31, 2024 for the categories Visit Jackson won awards.
Rochelle Hicks, Director of Tourism, Visit Mississippi; Dr. Rickey Thigpen, MTA Board President and Visit Jackson President and CEO; Shun Hatten, Chief Sales Officer, Visit Jackson; and Tate Reeves, Governor of Mississippi
About the Awards
Best Sales Strategy Campaign
Honors a strong campaign or strategy used to grow sales for a destination, attraction, hotel, convention center or other tourism entity via traditional or digital methods. Results should include a clear statement of goals and results. Examples would include but are not limited to: sales-focused mailers, promotional items, familiarization tours and other sales strategies.
Restaurant of the Year
Presented to an eatery in the state that not only showcases Southern cuisine but also creates a dining experience that patrons will want to pass on to fellow travelers.
Small Festival/Event of the Year (Attendance of 5,000 and below)
Awarded to a unique festival or event that is well attended, attracts a large variety of visitors and is well publicized. This category is for events with 5,000 and fewer in attendance.
Tom VanHyning Research-in-Action Award
Awarded to a member who is investing in research in order to make data-driven decisions to grow tourism in the state. It is named in honor of beloved, former state economist Tom VanHyning, who served Mississippi tourism for decades and taught us the importance and value of good research.
About MTA Governor’s Conference on Tourism Awards:
The Governor’s Conference on Tourism, an annual educational and professional development event, brought together more than 200 tourism industry professionals from across the state and tourism partners from the surrounding region. The awards program allows MTA to recognize the best of the best from their 200-plus-member organization. Awards were presented in several categories, each focusing on a different aspect of the hospitality industry or individual achievement.