The inland portion of the Magnolia State consistently provides music to planners’ ears, quite literally, as it’s wonderfully steeped in the blues and country music. But the space between the notes is important too, including the hospitality, affordability and ease of access to create a successful event, not to mention a grand variety of group-friendly facilities and pursuits that make visiting delegates feel right at home.
Jackson
Location is a major draw for planners considering Jackson for their next event, as it’s situated at the crossroads of two major interstates, an international airport and an Amtrak station. But Mississippi’s capital really seals the deal when planners realize it’s a destination filled with superb venues, a rich culture, warm hospitality and exceptional service, according to Shun Hatten, vice president of sales at the Jackson CVB.
“Jackson CVB specialists will canvass properties for available space for your dates and will help coordinate a convention program and transportation needs,” she says.
Jackson is home to some 5,500 sleeping rooms in 49 hotels, many with meeting space (name-brand meetings-friendly hotels include Marriott, Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn properties) and many located downtown nearby the LEED-certified Jackson Convention Complex. The JCC boasts more than 150,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space nearby arts and entertainment options that Hatten says help round out a great meeting experience.
“While downtown a visit to the Old Capitol Museum is a must,” she says, adding meeting attendees also like off-session outings to the Russell C. Davis Planetarium, Jackson Zoo and the Mississippi Museum of Art.
“Also try the tour of actual locales in Kathryn Stockett’s New York Times best-selling novel, The Help, also a major motion picture filmed here,” Hatten adds. “Or explore Jackson’s Blues Trail with 11, and counting, descriptive markers, or relive history through four driving tours of significant Civil Rights Movement sites in the city.”
Hatten adds planners might look into personalized blues classes facilitated by some of the South’s most talented musicians, or arrange a “Meet the Chef” demonstration and class taught by a Jackson-based chef.
Meridian/Lauderdale County
Lauderdale County, with two major highways leading straight to Meridian, as well as Amtrak and Meridian Regional Airport, is accessible like Jackson. And like the blues in Jackson, music also plays a role here.
“Our connection to music and entertainment sets Meridian apart,” says Stephen Martin, sales coordinator at Lauderdale County Tourism, explaining Meridian is the birthplace of Jimmie Rodgers, who is also known as the Father of Country Music. “Our marketing and promotional efforts complement what our state office of tourism is promoting: our rich history, heritage and culture.”
The area’s most notable group-friendly facilities include the MSU Riley Center, a popular conference center that Martin says boasts striking architecture and authentic Victorian decor, and a good variety of national brand properties including Best Western, Drury Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn and Quality Inn properties.
After the meeting, golf and shopping outings continue to be two of the most popular activities for attendees, Martin says, adding they also enjoy visits to the Jimmie Rodgers Museum, Temple Theater for the Performing Arts and two historic homes open to the public, Merrehope and F.W Williams.
Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg is located within driving distance to 80% of the state and much of the tri-state area, making it a convenient location for meetings and conventions, says Kristen Brock, sales manager at the Hattiesburg CVB. But ultimately, she adds, “We feel that planners will be most impressed with our hospitality.”
Once here, meeting planners will find more than 10 group-friendly hotel properties located within a short five-minute drive of the Lake Terrace Convention Center, including Hilton Garden Inn, Baymont Inn & Suites and Courtyard by Marriott properties.
There are plenty of options for the pleasure portion of the itinerary when the business portion is complete, Brock says, including golf tournaments, two interactive military museums and exploring historic downtown Hattiesburg.
“Retail enthusiasts bask in our shopping experiences, which include antique shops, art galleries and other locally owned gems,” Brock says, adding a local artist demonstration in one of the galleries can be arranged. “And many groups make a day of it, having lunch catered by one of our local chefs before heading to the historic Saenger Theater for a keynote address, wine and cheese reception or just a little fun.”
At the Saenger, groups can take a behind-the-scenes tour and watch a movie, complete with bottled soda and popcorn.
The Hattiesburg Zoo, it’s worth mentioning, is now accommodating after-hours tours and special off-site events, Brock adds.
“The curators and zoo-keeping staff offer hands-on interaction with some of the animals, and will also bring the furry friends along for meetings and receptions held on-site at one of the several indoor and outdoor function spots available,” she says.
Vicksburg
Groups comprised of Civil War buffs and those who like gaming excitement will enjoy convening in Vicksburg, which is home to a large variety of historical attractions and several casinos, including the Riverwalk Casino Hotel, Rainbow Hotel Casino, Ameristar Casino, Grand Station Hotel and Casino and DiamondJacks Casino and Hotel.
Many of the city’s meetings properties sport riverfront appeal, including the Vicksburg Convention Center and Auditorium, which has 50,000 square feet of function space.
Nearby, the Herbert Bryant Conference Center at Tara Wildlife, situated on a private nature preserve on the Mississippi River, accommodates gatherings for up to 100 people.
Like other parts of Inland Mississippi, Vicksburg is easy to get to, as the Jackson International Airport is located 50 minutes away. Also, since it’s located on U.S. Highway 61, designated as the Great River Road, it’s easy to arrive from or depart to historic Port Gibson, Natchez or St. Francisville to the south and the Mississippi Delta to the north.
Other than casino action, off-session opportunities to keep groups entertained include browsing galleries, visiting the Vicksburg National Military Park, attending local festivals and hitting the links for a tournament at an area course.
Starkville/Greenwood
Starkville is known as a college town, as it’s home to the largest campus of Mississippi State University (MSU), which happens to double as an asset for meeting planners since the campus continually attracts new retail, dining and entertainment options that groups appreciate.
MSU is also home to many of the city’s meetings-friendly facilities, including Bost Conference Center, Palmeiro Center and Humphrey Coliseum.
Among the other meetings-ready options in town are Hilton Garden Inn and Suites, University Inn and Henry Hunter Center.
Starkville’s bustling affect stems from campus goings-on as well as a calendar of fun events and festivals that planners might consider booking a meeting around, including the annual Cotton District Arts Festival and Taste of Starkville, Old Main Music Festival, the Charles Templeton Ragtime Jazz Festival and the Magnolia Independent Film Festival.
Located in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, Greenwood has a rich blues music culture; it’s where blues legend Robert Johnson is buried.
“We are also a great culinary destination,” says Paige Hunt, executive director at the Greenwood CVB, explaining the Viking Range Corporation, maker of high-end commercial-style appliances for the home, is based in Greenwood. “Groups can tour their plant and take a class at the Viking Cooking School.”
Of the many tours in place for groups to take in Greenwood, including blues, civil rights, general Greenwood history and Robert Johnson Life and Legacy tours, of late groups most often request a behind-the-scenes tour highlighting the locations used during the filming of a recently popular movie.
“Lots of groups enjoy taking ‘The Help’ tour and then learning how to fry chicken like the character Minny at the Viking Cooking School’s Help-themed class,” Hunt says.
Overall, Greenwood offers a great small-town atmosphere with the amenities of a bigger city, and is perfectly suited for small to midsize group gatherings in venues ranging from the Leflore County Civic Center for larger meetings to the boutique Alluvian Hotel for those smaller in size. The Hampton Inn and Three Rivers Inn and Suites properties also offer meeting space.
“The Greenwood CVB offers concierge services for all meetings and groups, from reservation and site selection assistance to welcome bags and FAM tours,” Hunt says. “We are a fantastic option for groups.”
Carolyn Blackburn is a frequent contributor to Meetings Focus South.
