This section of the Mississippi Tourism Association’s website is designed to assist both the industry and public media with information about the events, activities and news items affecting the members of the Mississippi Tourism Association. The following news releases and images are intended to assist the media with contacts and information. The Mississippi Tourism Association is not responsible for the content of any news releases and would strongly advise contacting the respective properties and businesses posting this information.
2019
STS Scholarship from Miles Media – Awarded – Cooksey Press Release
MSU Riley Center 2019 Spring Summer Season_press release
Volunteer-of-the-Month- MS Children’s Museum-January-2019
Milton Segarra- MS Business Journal Top CEO 2019 – Press Release
Rickey Thigpen named new CEO of Visit Jackson Press Release (2)
VisitHattiesburg Kicks off Black History Month with Updated Freedom Summer Tour – Media Alert
Mississippi Museum of Natural Science 2019 dinner and a dive press release
MSU Riley Center The Phantom Tollbooth_press release
VMGC 2018 Tourism Numbers + Plan For Vacation Day – Press Release
Downtown Hattiesburg Association Annual Meeting Feb20
PRESS RELEASE Ocean Springs_Calendar 2019
2018
Mississippi Children’s Museum Volunteer-of-the-Month-November-2018
Mississippi Miss Hospitality Opens At-Large Contestant Applications
Al Kidd, President & CEO of the National Association of Sports Commissions, Visits the Mississippi Gulf Coast
Journey to the North Pole Exhibit -Press-Release
VisitJackson HSMAI Awards
MSU Riley Center Diamond Rio_pressrelease
Visit Columbus wins multiple accolades for their hard work in tourism
RELEASE_Experience_the_Magic_of_the_Holidays_at Beau_Rivage
RELEASE_Beau_Rivage_to_Host_Huneeus_Vintners_Wine_Dinner
MSU Riley Center Magic School Bus_Press Release
Press Release_40th Annual Peter Anderson Festival Call for Volunteers
VisitMS GulfCoast Honored with Readers’ Choice Award
Fall Art Walk, Hattiesburg 18_PR
2018 Chimneyville Press Release
MSU Riley Center John Prine_press release
MSU Riley Center Take Me To The River_press release
Park-After-Dark-Press-Release-2018
RELEASE Cruise in to Party Central at Beau Rivage
Visit Ms Gulf Coast_TS Gordon Aftermath – Press Release
IMLS-Mississippi Children’s Museum Receives Funding for New Program – Press-Release
Ridgeland Tourism Commission’s Director of Sales, Mina Thorgeson, Recognized as 2018 Mississippi’s 50 Leading Business Women
Hattiesburg Restaurant Week Press Release
Beau_Rivage_Host_Hotel_Presenting_Sponsor_Mississippi_Gulf_Coast_Marathon
The-Very-Eric-Carle-Press-Release-2018
Discovery-Night-Annual-Family-Fundraiser-Press-Release_2018
PRESS RELEASE_Annual Artwalk in Ocean Springs 2018_
MSU Riley Center Chicks with Hits_Press Release
VMGC Ad Agency- Peter Mayer Announcement – Press Release
529-Day-at-MCM-Press-Release
Gillian Welch – Concert Series – PR
Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast partners with the New Orleans Saints – Press Release
7th Annual Downtown BBQ Showdown_PR
USA TODAY- Cruisin WINS Best Car Show Competition 2018 Press Release
MSU Riley CenterMSU Riley Center 2018-2019 Fall Winter Series_pressrelease
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Longwoods International Report- Mississippi Gulf Coast Domestic Tourism Overview 2017
Hotel Indigo Now Open in Hattiesburg press release
PRESS RELEASE_Ocean Springs Community Live Facebook Show 2018
2018 MS Miss Hospitality Meridian’s Anna McDaniel
Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast CEO Milton Segarra appointed to
2018-2019 Destinations International Foundation Board of Trustees

Fodors- America’s 25 Favorite Beach Towns_ Bay St Louis – Press Release
Children’s Museum Receives Monsanto Fund Grant-Pres.-Press-Release-2018
PRESS RELEASE_Ocean Springs Named Amazing Beach Town you can afford 2018
Wells-Fargo-Sponsorship makes “Read to Succeed Camp” Possible Press-Release
69th Annual Miss Hospitality Competition set for 2018-StateRelease
Ridgeland Tourism Commission Welcomes New Executive Director – Press Release
Star Spangled Celebration 2018 Media Release
Margaritaville Hotel & Family Entertainment Center Opens in Vicksburg, MS
MS Coast Coliseum and Convention Center Levy Partnership Announcement 
Americana, Country Artist Robert Earl Keen Kicks off Concert Series in Hattiesburg, MS – PR
Budget Travel – 10 Coolest Small Towns in America 2018_Ocean Springs – Press Release
MSU Riley Center KCandTheSunshineBand_pressrelease
MSU Riley Center Benatar-Giraldo_pressrelease
Hattiesburg Craft Beer Festival 18_News Release
PRESS RELEASE_99 days of summer campaign, Ocean Springs 2018
PRESS RELEASE_Red White Blueberry Festival_2018
Visit Jackson’s Wanda L. Henley-Watts, Earns ‘Travel Marketing Professional’ Certification
from STS Marketing College

MCM-Partners-check-presentation-Press-Release
PRESS RELEASE_Ocean Springs Main Street receives national accreditation 2018
MCM-Blue-Star-Press-Release
Natchez, MS Finishes in Top 10 in USA Today Rankings
William Bell Brings Memphis Soul Revue to MSU Riley Center on June 14
PRESS RELEASE_Ocean Springs Business After Hours May 2018
TOWNEPLACE SUITES HATTIESBURG MANAGER BETH BURNS WINS MARRIOTT DIAMOND GM OF THE YEAR AWARD
MSU Riley Center – Herman’s Hermits_press release
PRESS RELEASE_Taste of Ocean Spring Winners 2018
2018 Shining Stars Awards Presented by Visit Hattiesburg Release
Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast FY18 Key Performance Indicators
Ocean Springs to celebrate tourism during National Travel and Tourism Week 2018
VisitHATTIESBURG Celebrates National Tourism Week May 6-12
RELEASE_Beau_Rivage_Opens_Ivory’s_Dueling_Piano_Bar
MSU Riley Center MarcCohn Blind Boys_pressrelease
Thomas & Friends Return to MCM-Press-Release-2018
Boy-Scout-Saturday-at-the-MCM-Press-Release
2018 Best Coastal Small Towns_Ocean Springs
Global Meetings Industry Day Press Release 
MSU Riley Center Moscow Ballet Swan Lake
Brock Returns to VisitHBURG Team
Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast: RFQ – Advertising and Marketing Agency Services
LeFleur Museum District Receives Donation from Jackson Prep -Press-Release
Jackson Zoological Society Approves Recommendation for Next Step Towards New Zoo 
Spring ArtWalk, Hattiesburg – PR[1]
PRESS RELEASE_BAH March 2018
MCM Volunteer-of-the-Month-February-2018
MSU Riley Center Jefferson Starship_pressrelease
Bunnies Butterflies at MS Children’s Museum -Press-Release-2018
Press Release CDD
Aberdeen featured in Where to Retire Magazine press release
Mississippi Children’s Museum hosts NASA-Day-2018
PRESS RELEASE – Guest Speaker Dr. Matthew Wagner set for Ocean Springs Chamber Meeting
Mississippi Children’s Museum Celebrates Dr. Seusss Birthday
Little Miss Hosp_PR
2-14-18 Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast: Popsicles for Super Bowl Champions
MSU Riley Center – Danú Brings Irish Music for St. Patrick’s Week_
2018 Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival Press Release
MSU Riley Center Urban Bush Women_Press Release
SOUTHEAST TOURISM SOCIETY SELECTS 78TH ANNUAL COLUMBUS, MS SPRING PILGRIMAGE AS AN ‘STS TOP 20 EVENT’
PRESS RELEASE_Ocean Springs Calendar 2018
Hunt Joins VisitHburg Team
PRESS RELEASE_Ocean Springs Top Ten Places to Live_January 2018
MSU Riley Center Sense & Sensibility_pressrelease
Beauty and the Beast – Family Movie night on January 19th in Carthage
PRESS RELEASE-Ocean Springs Brings a little Snow to Town
2017
MSU Riley Center Gladys Knight_pressrelease
RELEASE_Beau_Rivage_Presents_Christmas_on_Ice
RELEASE_Beau_Rivage’s_Most_Wonderful_Time_of_the_Year
Jackson’s New Documentary Series
PRESS RELEASE-Ocean Springs Holiday Activities 2017
PRESS RELEASE-Ocean Springs Celebrates Small Business Saturday 2017
Crane joins VisitHburg Team as Director of Communications
MSU Riley Center – The Manhattan Transfer meets Take 6 on December 7
HBURG Unveils Gallery to Celebrating Storytellers in Bicentennial Year
Journey to the North Pole Exhibit at the Mississippi Children’s Museum
Highland Village, Trading Post, Sugar Ray’s Pop Up
MCM-M Announcement of the planned site for Mississippi Children’s Museum- Meridian_
MSU Riley Center Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo_pressrelease
Jackson Mississippi Center Stage at City/Nation/Place Awards
Visit Jackson is Honored with ConventionSouth’s Annual Readers’ Choice Award
Visit Columbus Receives DMAP Designation at Destinations International’s Annual Convention
Press Release_39th Annual Peter Anderson Festival Shirts Now On Sale
MSU Riley Center Amos Lee_press release
Hattiesburg Hosts Dearly Departed Walking Tours Halloween Night
The African American Military History Museum Hosts Booseum 2017
Hattiesburg Tourism Commission Director of Communications and Digital Strategies
PRESS RELEASE_Blue Moon Art Project Deadline Nearing 2017
MSChildren’s Museum to Host Bicentennial Arts Competition in Partnership with Mississippi Department of Education, Office of Governor Phil Bryant and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dorsey selected as VisitHattiesburg’s new Executive Director
MS Children’s Museum & MS Museum of Natural Science Host 6th Annual Park After Dark
HBURG Zoo Hosts 20th Annual ZooBoo2017_PR
Rocky Horror 2017_PR
MSU Riley Center Brothers Osborne_press release
Press Release_Cruisin Ocean Springs_ Call for Volunteers
PRESS RELEASE_Ocean Springs BAH September 2017
MCM to Host Bicentennial Arts Competition Press Release
Discovery Night 2017_Media Advisory
Take Me To The River Press Release
October Film Fest 2017_PR
PRESS RELEASE_Special Event_City of Ocean Springs Celebrates 125th Birthday with Parade
Providence Hill Farm Hosts NSCA SOUTH CENTRAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Princess Bride at SAENGER Hattiesburg_PR
MSU Riley Center Garrison Keillor_Press Release
Michael Jackson Exhibit at the Grammy Museum Press Release
Peter Anderson Festival Set for 2017
Ocean Springs_Artwalk 2017
MSU Riley Center How I Became a Pirate_pressrelease
HATTIESBURG ZOO BEGINS EDUCATION OUTREACH PROGRAM ‘TORTOISE AND THE HAIR’ FOR FALL 2017
Mississippi Science Fest 8.23.17 Press Conference MEDIA ADVISORY[2][4]
Blame the Comic at the Historic Saenger in Hattiesburg_PR
2017 Mississippi Science Festival Press Release_8-3-17
MSU Riley Center 17-18 Season_pressrelease
Miss Hospitality 2017 Crowned – Emma Grace McGrew Booneville
MSU Riley Center OneNightInMemphis_pressrelease
Saenger Movie Series Part 3_PR
Press Release for The Heart Behind The Musican  The Riley Center_Meridian.docx
Outlets of MS Announces Stuff the Bus Campaign
Miss Hospitality 2017 Media Events
MSU Riley Center Judy Collins-Stephen Stills_press release
Pirate Weekend_PR
Moscow Ballet_PR (1)
2017.05.19 MCM Opens Pollinator’s Playground
MCM Neon Night Press Release
MS Miss Hospitality 2017_July21-22
The Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival
VisitHBURG Launches New Tourism Website
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE_MISSISSIPPI BICENTENNIAL NORTH MOVES TO GROVE
PTSD Program in Hattiesburg_PR
Friday Night Wild Hattiesburg Zoo_PR
Nancy Carpenter’s “The City That Has It All’ Featured in Forbes magazine
Mississippi Film & Video Alliance – Film Grant Opent June 1 – Press
2017.05.19 MCM Opens Pollinator’s Garden
MSU Riley Center Quinn Sullivan_press release
Musuem 8th Anniversary_PR
Hattiesburg Awards Shining Stars at annual Luncheon
Press Release_MyGulf Coast App
Baby Duiker Announcement_PR
Tacos and Tequila at Hattiesburg Zoo_PR
National Travel and Tourism Day Celebration in Stone County
THE GRAMMY MUSEUM® CELEBRATES THE CENTENNIAL OF GRAMMY®
Curious George Exhibit Swings to the Mississippi Children’s Museum
Square Affair 2017, Carthage, MS
Prather name Interim Tourism Director for Starkville
PressTownePlace Suites in Hattiesburg Receives Prestigious Marriott Awards
New Zealand Couple plans their US trip around Sloth Experience at the Hattiesburg Zoo
Explorers Return to Ocean Springs during 1699 Weekend of Discovery 
Camp Shelby Presents Centennial Salute July 13, 2017
One Coast Tag – Mississippi Gulf Coast now has a specialty license plate
Hattiesburg Zoo Birthday Bash 2017
USM DOCTORAL CANDIDATE TO SPEAK ON ‘THE RISE OF MOBILE STREET’
Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast Announces New Team Members
Mississippi Children’s Museum Events May-August 2017
2017 Gertrude C Ford Literacy Garden Announcement
Press Releases – Tishomingo County April, May, June
77TH COLUMBUS SPRING PILGRIMAGE KICKS OFF WITH FUN MUSIC, MUSTACHES AND SO MUCH MORE!
Made in Mississippi: Flavors only found on the Gulf Coast
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Catfish in the Alley
Saenger Theater to Show ‘The C-Word’ Documentary April 7
USO TO HOST COMMUNITY DAY AND BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, MARCH 25
Contest for Official Cocktail of the Mississippi Gulf Coast
Hattiesburg Zoo Revives Adopt an Animal_Program
USO To Celebrate 75th Anniversary March 22-25
Hattiesburg Zoo Hosts Spring Break Adventure
MSChildrensMuseum-Dr. Seuss Press Release 2017
Baby Sloth Born at Hattiesburg Zoo
DINOSAURS to Visit the Jackson Zoo This Spring
Ocean Springs Featured in Where to Retire Magazine
Mississippi Children’s Museum Debuts Outreach Programs and Exhibits in the Delta
PRESS RELEASE Ocean Springs businesses featured in 2017 Mississippi List
77th Annual Columbus Spring Pilgrimage
Endangered Pygmy Hippo Born at Jackson Zoo
Clarksdale Film Festival
PRESS RELEASE_Spring Arts Festival Set
PRESS RELEASE_Ocean Springs Board of Directors Named for 2017
PRESS RELEASE_Call for Ocean Springs Chamber Assistant Team_2017
 
2016
Soule Steam Santa’s Christmas Factory_Press Release
LeFleur Museum District Holiday 2016 Press Release
2016 Celebrate the Season at the Science Museum Press Release
The Alluvian Hotel Honored with ConventionSouth’s Annual Readers Choice Award
Yazoo County CVB Honored With ConventionSouth’s Annual Readers Choice Award
MILLENNIALS WELCOME TO THE CITY WITH SOUL
Beau_Rivage_Extra_Table_Present_Five_Course_Feast_Nov_17
2016 MMNS Park After Dark Press Release
Dorsey Selected to lead marketing and communications for VisitHattiesburg & Hattiesburg Convention Commission
Columbus Kicks Off Celebratory Events
Hattiesburg’s Rick Taylor Wins Leadership Award
Day in the Country Press Release 2016
Anne Martin’s Delta Hot Tamale Book Launch
Conference on the Front Porch press release
Free Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Fest celebrates 29th year Aug. 12-13-14
Craig Ray to Lead State’s Tourism Efforts beginning July 18
MGM Resorts Beau Rivage Resort & Casino Presents BraVeau June 7-August 7
DELTA BLUES MUSEUM HOSTS FIRST ANNUAL GUITAR AND DRUM CAMP
Snake Day 2016 Press Release May 16 2016
MMNS Goosebumps Exhibit Press Release

MTA Statement on HB 1523:
“The Mississippi Tourism Association recognizes that the intent of House Bill 1523 is to protect individuals and businesses from being forced to act against their own conscience. Our members statewide are reporting calls, emails and social media posts from people cancelling or postponing trips to Mississippi due to national media reporting on this new law. Many of these tourists are known to our members personally because they are repeat guests, that have visited our state before, loved it, and have become regular visitors.
As the association that represents Mississippi’s 4th largest industry, we remain committed to the hospitality that welcomes all visitors and adds over $6 billion to our state’s economy each year.  Our industry is made up of large and small businesses that employ over 115,000 Mississippians, each who cherish the individual freedoms that have made America great.  But, with this freedom comes responsibility, and we believe that we must take the responsibility to reiterate the Mississippi Tourism Industry’s message of welcome that is the hallmark of our great state.
As the industry on the front line, cheerfully welcoming visitors to our home, we are re-doubling our efforts to demonstrate that Mississippi is indeed, the Hospitality State.
Tourism is important in every state.
In Mississippi it is VITAL.
And in our Mississippi, ALL are Welcome.”

Margaritaville Resort Biloxi Set to Open Late Spring 2016
Spring Pilgrimage, Columbus, MS Release
Hattiesburg National Spotlight
NatureFEST 2016 Updated Press Release to Charles
SoakUpTheRun – Gulf Coast Inaugural Marathon – PressRelease_
HGTV Orders Home Town Series
PUT ON YOUR STRETCHY PANTS AND #EATMSCOAST
American Music Tour Kick Off
American Pickers MS Press Release
 
2015
Vicksburg Convention & Visitors Bureau Named Chamber Small Business of Quarter
Mississippi Gulf Coast selects Huddle Up Group
Anchuca Historic Mansion Celebrating 60th Anniversary with Open House and dedication ceremony
2015 Museum Merriment Press Release
Trolley Express Vicksburg Press Release
Cabot Lodge Jackson North location to be first Red Lion Hotel Location in Mississippi
Interim MDA Leaders Named
MSChildrensMuseum-HolidaySpectacular-release2015
Legacies Alive-Swim For Their Sacrifice Press Release Vicksburg Event
2015 Govervor’s Conference on Tourism Award Winners
Park After Dark 2015 Press Release
October Events at MDWFP Museum of Natural Science
McRaven House in Vicksburg Reopens
Vicksburg Named GAMSA Semi Finalist
Press Release_Blue Moon Art Project Opening Applications_2015
Stone County Hospital Announces Expanded Fall Festival
SpaAnniversaryRelease
Return on Investment for Tourism Advertising Announced
Genealogy Fair Tishomingo County News Release 7-27
OLD SCHOOL ARTS FESTIVAL
RACHEL OBERMEIER Selected as the new Trade Bureau Manage for Visit Mississippi
A Trail Ride Dow Mississippi’s Country Music Trail
Press Release_Historic Walking Tour Greenwood
LFA Event Brings High Fashion to Central Mississippi
2nd Annual Ques, Blues and Cruise
BB King_Funeral_Plans
BB King_Homecoming PR15
Visit_MS_Gulf_Coast Honored as Successful_Meetings_Pinnacle_Winner
May Days Kick off with Canton Flea Market May 2015
Mississippi Gulf Coast Events_-_National_Tourism_Week
Holly Springs Tourism & Recreation Bureau Launches The Holly Springs Area Cultural Map
Interfuse Welcomes New Vice President of Tourism Sales & Marketing
Taste of OS set 2015 ticket sales
Hot_Rod_Power_Tour_2015
Carthage to host Historic Walk May 2, 2015
RiverStock Festival April 18, 2015
GRAMMY MUSEUM – April 9, 2015 Band Perry to Perform
Malcolm Butler Vicksburg Celebration
Family Movie Night in Carthage Returns
 
2014
Restaurant 1818 at the Historic Monmouth Inn announces new Executive Chef
MS Gulf Coast Regional CVB receives 2014 Convention South Readers Choice Award
Visit Mississippi Partners with Americana Music Festival & Conference in NASHVILLE
Marty Stuart Stops at Duling Hall
Old School Arts Festival Featuring Premiere Screening of James Franco’s “As I Lay Dying”
Drago’s Seafood Restaurant Partners with Hilton Jackson
Get on Up_Screening Premier in Madison, MS
MCM Events July-September
Press Release -Media Relations Manager
Best Festival Won
Mississippi Claims 5 Wins in “Top 100 Southern Hospitality Hotels for Groups” 
Areng to Begin Leading Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional CVB 
Main Street Greenwood Receives National Accreditation
Bay St. Louis 2nd Saturday in June 
Press Release_Ramcat Rhythm & Brews 2014
Natchez Food & Wine Festival – 2014 Press Release
LFA EVENT BRINGS HIGH FASHION TO CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI
Tonja Press Release
Square Affair 2014 has something for everyone
Louisville Tornado
Americana Experience
Jimmie Rodgers Museum
Who Dat 
Marty Stuart Center
NatureFEST
MTA Day at the Capitol
Que on the Yazoo
C Spire Blue Greens Challenge
Dr. Seuss
2014 MTA Legislative Luncheon Press Release
2013
Feast of Flavors 2013
Ocean Springs Downtown Tour Announced
GumboFestivalPressRelease
Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival