Director of Community Relations, Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Jackson, Miss.
Briefly state what your job entails.
I am the director of community relations for the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Part of my responsibilities includes planning special events and activities for the department and our constituents.
What type of meeting did you hold in Vicksburg?
Our board of trustees meets quarterly, typically at our offices in Jackson. However, once a year, we try to go to various towns and cities in Mississippi and have our board meeting there. We also typically have a public event to celebrate and honor our various partners and constituents in the area and we plan a tour of historic sites for our board and staff. In 2016, our events were held in Vicksburg.
Was anyone particularly helpful in executing your event?
The folks at the Vicksburg CVB were very helpful in our planning efforts, especially Bill Seratt and Ashley Gatian. Both Bill and Ashley were generous with their time as we began our planning and they were very beneficial as resources of information throughout the process, including when we were in town.
What did your attendees seem to enjoy the most about Vicksburg?
The highlight of each of our trips for our board and staff is the tour of area historic sites, and Vicksburg was no different. We all enjoyed our time at the Bethel AME Church and our stop at the Cairo Museum in Vicksburg National Military Park. We had our board meeting at the Lower Mississippi River Museum, which is a hidden gem. The Mississippi IV riverboat, which is part of the museum experience, is just fascinating to tour. We had our public reception at Duff Green Mansion, a beautiful location to host an event. Everyone we dealt with in Vicksburg was extremely hospitable.
Are there any experiences you would recommend for groups meeting in Vicksburg?
A visit to the Vicksburg National Military Park is a must for anyone spending time in Vicksburg. It’s a remarkable place and we enjoy it each time we visit. I also recommend that groups take advantage of all the Vicksburg CVB has to offer—they provide a wealth of information and assistance, and working with them will definitely improve the visit. The revitalization of downtown Vicksburg is remarkable, too. They've done a wonderful job. Make sure you carve out some time on the agenda for attendees to spend downtown.
How does Vicksburg compare to other cities where you have hosted meetings?
We have been fortunate to visit many wonderful Mississippi locations, and Vicksburg and her people rank right up there among the best. Everyone is so accommodating and they genuinely want you to have a good experience while you’re in town.
Would you return/recommend Vicksburg to other meeting planners?
I would definitely recommend Vicksburg as a great location for meetings and events! And I would encourage others to start by contacting the Vicksburg CVB. I know that we will the next time we want to plan anything in Vicksburg.