Rather than winding down, attendees can get ready for action when the sun sets on Mississippi. It’s the perfect time of day to enliven a group agenda with any of the many outings that incorporate area arts, casinos, and great food and drink.
There is still time after hours to plan a fun add-on activity in Mississippi’s group-friendly destinations. From a bowling tournament at Fun Lanes in Vicksburg to a sunset cruise on the Betsy Ann Riverboat off the shores of Biloxi, there is an array of entertaining nightlife opportunities awaiting groups throughout the Magnolia State.
Artistic Outings
The Powerhouse in Oxford, a community arts center that accommodates group events, hosts the interactive Oxford Art Crawl from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of every month.
According to Jessica Lynch, partnerships manager for Visit Oxford MS, groups could hop on the Oxford Double Decker Bus (imported from Oxford, England) and visit different art venues.
Meanwhile, when meeting in Tunica, groups can check out local listings for live music, including staged blues, rock and country acts.
“You’ll find the biggest headliners at our premier concert venues,” said Mary Catherine Webb, sales manager for the Tunica CVB. “And our intimate casino stage bars and local diners also host some of the hottest regional and local artists on a nightly basis.”
Marquee comedians such as George Lopez and live sporting events are also on the calendar to entertain groups in Tunica.
Beach fire, gulf coast | Credit: Danny Turkel
Casino Action
Nightlife in Tunica is practically limitless, as the city is also home to eight casino resorts where groups can play games of chance, see shows and grab dinner at the end of the day.
Vicksburg has an abundant amount of nightlife as well, including at its four casinos: Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg, Lady Luck Casino Vicksburg, Riverwalk Casino & Hotel, and WaterView Casino & Hotel.
“You can have your group play in a slot tournament and enjoy a great meal and entertainment at one of our gaming facilities,” said Ashley Gatian, sales manager for Visit Vicksburg.
Culinary Closers
One of the best ways to unwind after a day that’s jam-packed with meetings is to book a reservation at a local restaurant that accommodates private dining.
In Jackson, which is home to some 300 restaurants, there are many contenders to host group meals, including The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen.
Located in Jackson’s historic Belhaven Heights neighborhood, Manship offers a rustic chic atmosphere and a menu that mingles the Mediterranean with classic Southern fare. The dinner menu here includes seared fish, spit-fired chicken, pasta dishes and pizza, as well as craft cocktails and a wine list that received a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.
In Oxford, in the historic Oxford Square area, groups will find several nightlife possibilities, including Proud Larry’s, a restaurant/live music venue that hosts private events for dining or entertainment, or a combo of both.
“Visitors tend to want to venture where the locals are and they are spot-on with Proud Larry’s,” said Visit Oxford MS’s Lynch.
Groups meeting in Natchez should check out the restored circa-1789 King’s Tavern, where the menu includes wood-fired flatbreads, sustainable fish and meats and handcrafted cocktails. Charboneau Distillery, a purveyor of rum, is located on the same property and offers tours and tastings.
Proud Larry’s Pizza, Oxford
“When having a meeting in the South, it’s great for groups to try out the cuisine in a restaurant that has over 200 years of history,” said Jennifer Combs, executive director at Visit Natchez. “Topping off the night with a rum tasting is a great way to have some fun while visiting local businesses.”
In Tupelo, groups can arrange an after-hours tour and tasting at the award-winning Queen’s Reward Meadery, Mississippi’s first meadery.
“Hang out on the patio, sip mead and enjoy food truck fare for a fabulous Tupelo evening,” said Jan Pannell, sales manager-meetings for the Tupelo CVB.
Sunset Scenarios
Also located in Tupelo, which is best known as the birthplace of Elvis Presley, is the Becoming statue overlook at the Elvis Presley Birthplace.
“After the sun has set, enjoy a private group event at the Birthplace with live music and great Southern food,” Pannell said. “This unique nighttime experience offers groups special access to the Birthplace after dark and makes for a memorable evening in the King’s hometown.”
The perfect way to end a day of meetings along the Mississippi Gulf Coast is to have a bonfire on the beach while watching the sun set over the Mississippi Sound.
Ameristar Casino Hotel, Vicksburg
“Public bonfires can be found across our 26 miles of beautiful white-sand beaches, and can be set up in advance, ready for your group to enjoy,” said Janice Jefferson, director of sales at Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast. “All you have to do is bring the s’mores ingredients!”
Mississippi CVB Information
Columbus-Lowndes CVB
662.329.1191
Greenville and Washington County CVB
662.334.2711
Tunica CVB
662.363.3800
Tupelo CVB
662.841.6521
Visit Jackson
601.960.1891
Visit Meridian Tourism
601.482.8001
Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast
228.896.6699
Visit Natchez
601.446.6345
Visit Oxford MS
662.232.2477
Visit Vicksburg
601.636.9421
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On the team
Some of Mississippi’s greatest contributions, including music, college football and Southern cooking, are all possible because a group of people—musicians, athletes and culinary wizards—got together to work as a team in order to create something special.
Groups meeting throughout the state can follow their lead. Depending on the group’s goals, planners are encouraged to arrange a teambuilding activity that will bolster communication and creativity, encourage problem-solving and communication, or simply promote networking and fun outside the meeting room.
Following are some of the many opportunities that will challenge attendees to work in sync toward becoming a better team.
Capital/River Region
According to Visit Jackson, the state’s capital city delivers dynamic and affordable “Meetings with Soul.”
Groups here count on the impressive Jackson Convention Complex for standout sessions, and afterward there are plenty of teambuilding activities to entertain attendees, ranging from a round of golf to an escape room experience, including the Paradox Challenge Room.
There are also several teambuilding companies that planners could call on to facilitate fun events in Jackson, including AdVenture Games and TeamBonding.
Both companies can come to the group, whether on-site at the host hotel or at an outdoor venue, and each has a menu filled with engaging activities, including TeamBonding’s popular Food Truck Challenge and AdVenture Games’ music-inspired Making of the Band.
Conventioneers in Vicksburg can arrange an educational museum crawl that allows them time to build camaraderie as they explore the city.
“This adventure will get your meeting out of the box and engulf them in Vicksburg history,” said Ashley Gatian, sales manager for Visit Vicksburg.
A National Park Service-licensed guide will lead the tour, which could be arranged with help from Visit Vicksburg. Groups will visit four or five museums, including the Old Court House Museum and Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum.
In downtown Natchez, there is a scavenger hunt run by a company called Tourology that will appeal to groups that want to test their team skills while visiting the city’s great sights.
“The city of Natchez becomes a giant game board with modern technology,” said Jennifer Combs, executive director of Visit Natchez. “These interactive mobile scavenger hunts are designed to improve team bonding by solving riddles and completing challenges.”
Gulf Coast
Groups seeking an excellent ice-breaking, fellowship-promoting opportunity along the Mississippi Gulf Coast can add a golf tournament to a convention.
“In addition to stunning views of the Gulf Coast and its vast array of natural beauty, our courses also showcase some of the best golf course architecture,” said Janice Jefferson, director of sales at Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Courses in the area include designs by Tom Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, Jerry Pate, Davis Love III and the legendary Arnold Palmer.
Tupelo
Groups meeting in Tupelo can tap into their creative side at FarmHouse, a home and gift store located downtown that offers various workshops including painting classes.
“A paint class at the FarmHouse is a unique event in that it offers a great teambuilding exercise and a keepsake souvenir to remember your time in Tupelo,” said Jan Pannell, sales manager-meetings for the Tupelo CVB. “Artists help the team create one-of-a-kind creations that teach new skills and make for a fun evening.”
Attendees will enjoy food and drinks as they create their masterpieces at FarmHouse.
Meridian
Meridian is loved for being surrounded by the great outdoors, according to Dede Mogollon, director of Visit Meridian, who said groups could boat, fish, hike and ride horses at Dunn’s Falls, Bonita Lakes, Okatibbee Lake and other bodies of water in the area.
“They connect with nature and feed their souls,” she said.
Another group activity that’s popular with many attendees is to fine-tune their aim at Binachi Shooting Sports, which offers sporting clays and skeet shooting, plus 3-D archery and a field archery course.
Latest & Greatest
Jackson
The 203-room Westin Jackson, situated in the heart of downtown just a block away from the Jackson Convention Complex, opened last year with a spa, fitness studio, bistro and wine bar, and 11,950 square feet of meeting space.
Meridian
The $50 million Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience – The MAX, situated two blocks from Meridian’s historic Union Station, opened in April. The museum is a multimedia tribute to artists from all mediums who have called Mississippi home. The museum has several meeting and event spaces, including the dramatic two-story Hall of Fame that accommodates up to 250 people for a reception, and the Courtyard, a scenic outdoor space.
Vicksburg
The 117-room Margaritaville Hotel Vicksburg, located along the Mississippi River next to the Vicksburg Convention Center, opened earlier this year. The property features the LandShark Bar & Grill, Margaritaville Coffee Shop, a fitness center and meeting spaces.
Gulf Coast
The Ocean Springs, Miss.-based University of Southern Mississippi opened the Marine Education Center in April 2018. The beautiful facility features a visitors center with interactive displays, a suspension bridge for strolling and state-of-the-art meeting facilities.
Ocean Adventures Marine Park opened in Gulfport in April 2018 with meeting rooms featuring access to marine life exhibits, and dolphin, sea lion and bird shows.
Also in Gulfport is the Gulf Coast Event Center, which opened in June 2017 with 3,550 square feet of ballroom space and four event rooms ranging from 595 to 1,225 square feet.
Oxford
A Tru by Hilton Hotel is scheduled to open in Oxford in 2019. The property will have over 100 guest rooms, a fitness center and a 2,800-square-foot lobby.
