MISSISSIPPI TOURISM ASSOCIATION

Great things are happening at Mississippi Tourism Association and we would love to have you join us in our mission! For more info about MTA membership, reach out to Jennie Guido or Danielle Morgan.

500 Certified Hospitality Experts! Congrats to all of our newly credentialed colleagues. #mstourism #visitms #heartofhospitality To learn more, visit workforce.mstourism.com.

It was a great Tourism Day at the Capitol on Wednesday! Thank you to Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann for your support and leadership for Mississippi’s fourth-largest industry. Having industry professionals from all over the state, who are the true heart of hospitality, gather together to celebrate the impact of tourism was truly special. We really are a team and we have the BEST TEAM in the biz! We know that if we build a place where people want to visit, we build a place people want to live, work, and invest. It all starts with a visit, and the visit starts with us! Special thanks to the Mississippi Aquarium for bringing our pal Andreas the Gopher Tortoise. We also had visitors from Germany and Poland visit the Mississippi State Capitol while we were there, which was a happy coincidence. #itallstartswithavisit #visitms #mstourism

We loved partnering with Mississippi Main Street Association and Mississippi Economic Development Council to host Bob Harris, CAE for a seminar on building thriving organizations. Thank you to the City of Pearl for the hospitality.

?? Final Call to Register - Just One Week Away ?? Are you ready to take your organization to the next level? Join us for "Build a Thriving Organization: Strategies for Success" – a must-attend seminar designed to equip you with actionable insights to drive sustainable growth. FREE for MTA members! Plus - You'll be able to network with members from our event partners Mississippi Economic Development Council & Mississippi Main Street! Date: Thursday, March 6; 10AM-2 PM, lunch provided Location: Pearl Community Center, Pearl, MS ?? Register Now: https://lnkd.in/eUuKtuc9 Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert strategies, network with leaders from across the state and set your organization up for long-term success.

?? Calling All Tourism Leaders and HR Professionals! ?? The success of any hospitality business starts with its people. That’s why MTA’s Heart of Hospitality Regional Training Series is a must-attend event for anyone in tourism and hospitality - DMO directors, managers, owners and HR professionals. Join us NEXT WEEK for this event series featuring Wendy Sellers, The HR Lady, a nationally recognized HR expert. Wendy will share actionable strategies to help you: ? Hire, train, and develop top talent ? Reward and engage employees to boost morale ? Retain staff to reduce turnover and build team stability ? Understand the ever changing employment laws ?? Event Locations: Oxford (1/22), Ridgeland (1/23) and Gulfport (1/24) ?? Free for MTA Members | Non-Members encouraged to register for a small fee ?? Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your leadership and HR practices. ?? Learn more & register today! https://lnkd.in/evQWQYSA Visit Mississippi, Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association, Mississippi Gaming & Hospitality Association, Mississippi Main Street Association, Mississippi SHRM, Mississippi Economic Development Council, Explore Ridgeland, Visit Oxford MS, Coastal Mississippi, Visit Jackson, Mississippi Arts Commission, Mississippi Film Office, Mississippi Economic Council

?? Celebrating a Tourism Superstar: Rickey Thigpen, PhD ?? We all have a story, and few tell it as well as Rickey Thigpen, the President & CEO of Visit Jackson and the current Board President of MTA. In this first video of the Heart of Hospitality Series, Rickey shares his tourism journey that showcases the unique career paths available in this industry that employs 133,000 or one in every 13 Mississippians. ?? Whether you're a seasoned professional or just beginning your journey in tourism, this is a must-watch to uncover the countless opportunities for growth and advancement within the industry. ?? Watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/eY9nwkTb Want to learn more about a career in Mississippi’s tourism industry? Visit the Heart of Hospitality page for information on career development and opportunities. https://lnkd.in/eJjCPcwZ

MTA Members - Join us for a FREE webinar this Thursday, December 12 following our monthly membership call! Featuring Amanda Fontaine who will provide her expert insight on managing more effective boards. Register online HERE: https://lnkd.in/e9JX-6NY This webinar is tailored for: >>Directors and board members of tourism organizations >>Leadership teams supporting boards >>Anyone looking to enhance their organizational leadership skills Don’t Miss Out! This is your chance to learn from an expert and strengthen your board’s impact on the tourism industry.

Such an honor to speak to this group. Our attractions are so important to our tourism product and we have the best!

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