Tourism Matters - Stephanie Movre

Holly Springs Tourism Bureau receives top honors as Small Bureau of the Year

We recently returned from the Governor’s Conference on Tourism, which was held at the Jackson TelCom Center — where we received top honors as Outstanding Small Tourism Bureau of the Year!

The conference, presented by the Mississippi Tourism Association, gives those in the tourism industry an opportunity to learn from leaders in the industry through two days of seminars which include topics such as: “Getting a Yes in a No Town” and “Effectively Using the Internet and MySpace”—in which the Holly Springs Tourism Bureau MySpace site www.myspace.com/visithollysprings was spotlighted.

The conference concluded with an awards luncheon where Gov. Haley Barbour gave the keynote address. Gov. Barbour stressed the importance of tourism to the Mississippi economy and congratulated all award recipients. Wanda Collier-Wilson, executive director of the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau and 2008 president of the Mississippi Tourism Association, and Craig Ray, director of the Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Division, announced the winners.

Award categories included Travel Writer of the Year, Community Volunteer of the Year, Governmental Friend of Tourism, Member of the Year, Attraction of the Year, Festival/Event of the Year as well as Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau of the Year — where Holly Springs won in the small bureau category.

Four “Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureaus” were awarded, within four categories based on budget size. Recognized for outstanding efforts in promoting tourism in the area through events and activities that generate visitors, all winners showed their willingness to work with surrounding tourism endeavors that not only promote their own, but also other partners as well.

Holly Springs was commended for all of the hard work its residents have invested — not only into tourism, but into preservation, beautification, and other tirelessly committed efforts that ensure that our visitors can continue to enjoy a glimpse of the Old South in the “Antebellum capitol of the Mid-South.” I was proud to accept the award on behalf of the entire town of Holly Springs, and I look forward to one day also accepting the award for Outstanding Large Bureau of the Year!

Other winners were Desoto County Tourism, Ridgeland Tourism Commission and the Tunica Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. For more information on additional winners, please visit the Media Services page on www.visithollysprings.org.

Spring is almost here and the tourism office is already buzzing with excitement over the 70th annual spring Pilgrimage -- “A Festival of Art & Architecture,” April 18-20. This year’s event is sure to be a crowd pleaser, including arts and crafts vendors, re-enactors, storytellers, and even an evening supper at Montrose Saturday, April 19, featuring live music from “The Digs” and a silent auction. All are encouraged to attend, to not only enjoy the festivities, but to share their own unique stories with visitors. Please visit our website at www.visithollysprings.org for a full list of events as well as to register for free tickets.
Walking Horse Classic, held March 15 at the Marshall County Fairgrounds, was a huge success! Thank you to all volunteers and supporters.
Here at the tourism office we have welcomed 427 guests so far this year and have already scheduled 20 group tours!


Thursday, April 17, 2008
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