Visit Jackson, Partners Shine at MTA Governor's Conference on Tourism

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.