A fertile ground for creativity, culture, and good times, Mississippi offers an endless array of experiences. Discover small towns that are big on charm, often with quaint squares, historic districts, outdoor murals, and eclectic shops. Poignant places, such as the Vicksburg National Military Park and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, offer reflection on imperfect pasts and brighter futures, while a vibrant music scene includes the blues and rock ‘n’ roll. Enjoy culinary staples such as fried catfish and biscuits and a multifaceted landscape, from the Delta through the Piney Woods to the Gulf Coast barrier islands.
Capital Region
Jackson
VisitJackson.com; @VisitJacksonMS
The Jackson Convention Complex contains 330,000 square feet of flexible event space, including 85,000 square feet of ballroom and exhibit hall space for a capacity of 7,000. Two additional levels contain 28,433 square feet in 25 meeting rooms, with a maximum capacity of 650. Also downtown, the Mississippi Trade Mart, located on the 105-acre Mississippi State Fairgrounds, features 63,000 square feet of column-free space and links to the Mississippi Coliseum arena, which seats 6,500.
Local hotels with event space include the 147-room Regency Hotel & Conference Center, with 20,000-plus square feet of function space for a capacity of 2,300. At 9,840 square feet, the hotel’s largest ballroom accommodates receptions of 1,600. The 276-room Hilton Jackson contains 19,154 square feet of event space and holds 1,200 for receptions and theater-style seating in its largest event space. The Westin Jackson has 203 guest rooms and 11,326 square feet of event space. The property’s 6,510-square-foot ballroom seats 700 theater style.
Vicksburg
VisitVicksburg.com; @VisitVicksburg
Historic Vicksburg boasts more than 100,000 square feet of meeting space and 2,100 guest rooms. Located downtown, the 50,000-square-foot Vicksburg Convention Center features two levels of event space, including a 17,000-square-foot exhibit hall that divides into two rooms and accommodates 2,200 seated theater style. Nearby, the Vicksburg Auditorium offers 50,000 square feet of event space and holds 2,400 in its largest space.
For smaller groups, the McNutt House, built in 1826, has 1,000 square feet of indoor event space for small meetings and social events. Outdoors, the venue has a terraced courtyard with a large deck, gardens, and water features.
Coastal Region
Hancock, Harrison, & Jackson Counties
CoastalMississippi.com; @Coastalms
With 62 miles of scenic shoreline, 26 miles of white-sand beaches, casino resorts, world-class golf courses, a vibrant art and culinary scene, and small-town charm, Coastal Mississippi offers attractive amenities with a friendly local style. Local communities include Biloxi, Gulfport, and Ocean Springs.
“The Mississippi Coast is not your typical beach destination,” says Pattye Meagher, Coastal Mississippi’s director of communications and engagement. “We are an affordable destination with a variety of meeting venues from which to choose, and we’re ready to offer groups unique experiences, whether it’s for meetings or during downtime.”
The area’s largest venue is the Mississippi Coast Coliseum & Convention Center, which features 400,000 square feet of event space, including a 129,000-square-foot exhibit hall and a 105,000-square-foot convention hall. The Coast offers nearly 16,000 guest rooms, with casino resorts providing the majority.
The 1,110-room IP Casino Resort Spa has 65,000 square feet of event space, including studio b, a multifunctional space that holds 1,600 seated theater style. The resort’s 17,920-square-foot Ballroom 1 accommodates gatherings of 1,310 guests.
The 17,000-square-foot Magnolia Ballroom at the sprawling 1,740-room Beau Rivage Resort & Casino accommodates 1,800 guests. Perched on a picturesque stretch of beach overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, the resort boasts 50,000 square feet of meeting space, and all its guest rooms were recently renovated. The Golden Nugget Biloxi Hotel and Casino contains 721 guest rooms and 22,000 square feet of meeting space, while the 292-room Hollywood Casino & Resort Gulf Coast offers 10,000 square feet of meeting space. The 143-room Courtyard by Marriott Gulfport Beachfront has 5,862 square feet of meeting space with a capacity of 325.
New additions and updates to the area include Paradise Pier Fun Park, which opened earlier this year at Margaritaville Resort Biloxi. Overlooking the Mississippi Sound, the park features 15 rides. In Ocean Springs, the Gulf Hills Hotel and Resort recently completed a total renovation. First opened in 1927, the hotel was a favorite hideaway for Elvis Presley and other celebrities. Amenities include a
pool, tennis courts, and a revamped nine-hole golf course.
For group activities, Eco-Tours of South Mississippi offers interpretive excursions of local salt marshes, cypress swamps of the lower Pascagoula River, and coastal barrier islands. Zip’N Fun Adventure Park features a tree-to-tree ropes course with 50 games and obstacles.
The state-of-the-art Big Play Entertainment Center has bowling lanes, laser tag, and an arcade, while Gulf Coast Gator Ranch & Tours is the state’s oldest gator farm.
Later this year, Amtrak passenger rail service will resume along the Coast between New Orleans and Mobile, making stops in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula. Also, a new overpass across Highway 90 provides pedestrians and cyclists safe transit from the Mississippi Aquarium to Jones Park.
Delta Region
Cleveland
VisitClevelandMS.com; @ClevelandMississippi
Tucked away in the “cradle of the blues,” colorful Cleveland offers excellent venues, hotels, attractions, and Southern culture to entice planners of all events.
“The level of amenities, services, and hospitality in Cleveland is unbeatable,” says Sean Johnson, director of tourism for Visit Cleveland Mississippi. “We have boutique downtown hotels and venues like the Marriott Bonvoy-flagged Cotton House, as well as the resort-like Ascend Collection West End Conference Center. We also have incredible dining options, plenty of attractive offsite activities, a vibrant downtown, and the Grammy Museum.”
Top venues include the recently renovated Bolivar County Expo Center, which features the 6,866-square-foot Magnolia State Room with a capacity of 700, and a 21,000-square-foot arena that accommodates 3,350 guests. The 41,500-square-foot Bologna Performing Arts Center at Delta State University houses two performance venues: the 1,154-seat
Delta & Pine Land Theatre and a 145-seat recital hall.
“Cotton Row,” where 19th-century merchants housed their products, is now home to the Cotton House Cleveland, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel. The 95-room hotel contains 2,800 square feet of event space and accommodates 250 guests.
The 63-room Lyric Hotel West End Ascend Hotel Collection features two lounge areas for live music, a courtyard with a patio, a pool, and a lake with large entertainment decks. The Lyric Clubhouse holds 160 in a banquet room, boardroom, or lecture-style arrangement. The clubhouse’s East and West wings also feature 24 suites for family celebrations, business retreats,
or extended stays.
Local attractions include the 28,000-square-foot Grammy Museum Mississippi. Situated on the Delta State University campus, the museum features more than 25 exhibits highlighting a range of musical genres. The museum has a state-of-the-art 130-seat soundstage and more than 10,000 square feet of event space. Other areas include a lobby, classroom, and conference room.
DeSoto County
VisitDesotoCounty.com; @VisitDesotoCty
Only 15 minutes from Memphis International Airport, DeSoto County boasts 3,800 guest rooms and 49 hotels. The county’s communities include Hernando, Horn Lake, Olive Branch, Southaven, and Walls.
The 174-room Whispering Woods Hotel & Conference Center in Olive Branch has 47,000 square feet of event space, including 24 meeting rooms and a 6,090-square-foot ballroom suitable for 700 guests. Southaven’s Landers Center has 17,000 square feet of convention center space and accommodates gatherings of 1,000.
Tunica County
TunicaTravel.com; @Tunicams
Tunica, one of the Southeast’s biggest gaming centers, has six casinos, 13 hotels, 5,000 guest rooms, and 45,000 square feet of meeting space.
“Tunica has more than 200 live table games, 8,800 slot machines, sports betting, and entertainment,” says Mary Catherine Webb, Tunica CVB’s sales manager. “We also have over 25 restaurants, from fine dining to steakhouses, to all-you-can-eat buffets and neighborhood diners.”
Meeting and event venues include the Tunica Arena & Exposition Center, offering 48,000 square feet of event space on the arena floor and mezzanine level. The arena’s Skybox Meeting Room spans 1,100 square feet of space.
Tunica Resorts, a census-designated area in northern Tunica County, gives planners several options for guest accommodations, meeting venues, and activities. The 1,200-room Gold Strike Casino Resort features 30,000 square feet of meeting space; a 9,000-square-foot grand ballroom seating 1,175 theater style; and four smaller meeting rooms ranging from 400 to 1,200 square feet. Dining options include the high-end Chicago Steakhouse and the more casual Buffet Americana. The 506-room Horseshoe Tunica Casino & Hotel contains 15,000 square feet of meeting space, including a versatile theater space and two breakout rooms. Another destination, the 494-room Hollywood Casino Tunica, has 14,400 square feet of banquet space and hospitality suites.
For smaller events, the 507-room Fitz Casino & Hotel Tunica has a 7,800-square-foot great hall, while the 840-room Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall Tunica offers full-scale meeting and banquet facilities for 1,500.
The city is home to the Gateway to the Blues Museum, which opened in 2015 on Highway 61, known as the “Blues Highway.” The iconic attraction features interactive exhibits and artwork, including a recording studio for learning some blues basics and even recording a song or two. Visitors can also explore the history of the Mississippi River at the Tunica River Park and Museum; the attraction features interactive exhibits, aquariums, and
a nature trail.
East Central Region
Meridian
VisitMeridian.com; @VisitMeridian
Downtown Meridian’s Mississippi State University Riley Center features a fully restored opera house theater that seats 950, a 200-seat studio theater, and 30,000 square feet of meeting space. The venue also has an extensive exhibit hall, breakout rooms, and boardrooms equipped with teleconferencing capabilities and built-in technical features.
Nearby, the beautifully renovated Threefoot Hotel has 131 guest rooms and tasteful Art Deco-style details, including brass elevator doors and elegant chandeliers. The hotel’s main event space, the Dreifuss Room, accommodates gatherings of 40 guests.
The neighboring Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (MAX), features more than 12,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, including a 6,000-square-foot courtyard and a 2,500-square-foot multipurpose gallery
for receptions of 250.
Local attractions include the Jimmie Rodgers Museum, honoring the Meridian native known as the “Father of Country Music.” The museum features exhibits highlighting the singer’s life, including his original guitar, concert posters, and other memorabilia. Every year in May, Meridian hosts the Jimmie Rodgers Music Festival, one of the longest running in the country. Other attractions include the new Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian, which has five galleries of interactive exhibits. Available for events, the museum contains a 10,000-square-foot exhibit floor, a 25,000-square-foot garden, a 1,500-square-foot outdoor event plaza, and a 150-seat auditorium.
In 1964, the world watched as Meridian played a lead role in the fight for racial equality. During that time, “freedom schools” opened across the state, providing a space for volunteers to register voters and instruct African American students. The Meridian Civil Rights Trail commemorates Meridian’s freedom school, the largest in the state. The trail consists of 18 markers, each with a QR code linking to video and stories.
Philadelphia/Neshoba County
About 100 miles northeast of Jackson, Choctaw’s Pearl River Resort complex offers several options, including the Silver Star Hotel & Casino, Golden Moon Hotel & Casino, and the smaller family-oriented Dancing Rabbit Inn. Combined, the properties contain 1,200 guest rooms, more than 46,000 square feet of meeting space, numerous dining options, shopping, a spa, two championship golf courses, and a water theme park.
As the headquarters of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Neshoba County is where the annual Choctaw Indian Fair takes place each July. Hosted in the county seat of Philadelphia, the four-day event features colorful, ancient tribal dance demonstrations, live music, stickball competitions, and Indigenous cuisine. In late July, another popular event, the eight-day Neshoba County Fair, established in 1889, attracts thousands of attendees who stay onsite in cabins and RV campers.
North Mississippi Region
Oxford/Lafayette County
VisitOxfordMS.com; @VisitOxfordMS
Often called the “cultural mecca of the South,” Oxford is home to the University of Mississippi, writer William Faulkner’s former house, exceptional culinary experiences, and a vibrant downtown.
“There is no place like Oxford,” says Nadia Thornton, director of sales and marketing for Visit Oxford. “Whatever it is you need for your corporate retreats, training, or small conferences, our facilities can accommodate your group.”
The newly renovated Oxford Conference Center has more than 25,000 square feet of event space, including the 11,000-square-foot Oxford Hall for gatherings of 1,000. The venue also has a 282-seat auditorium offering state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, several classrooms, an outdoor terrace, and an executive conference room. Three hotels across the street—the Hampton Oxford Inn Conference Center, TownePlace Suites Marriott, and Tru by Hilton—have 287 guest rooms combined. On the university campus, the 146-room Inn at Ole Miss boasts more than 10,000 square feet of event space, including a 5,600-square-foot ballroom, auditorium, and meeting rooms. The boutique Chancellor’s House has 38 guest suites, a 2,000-square-foot ballroom, and a boardroom and library for smaller events. Recently purchased by Oliver Hospitality Group, the hotel is undergoing renovations, and will debut new dining outlets and guest room upgrades later this summer.
Other popular hotels with event space include the 136-room Graduate Oxford, with a 1,800-square-foot meeting space, and the 121-room Courtyard by Marriott Oxford, which has a 2,200-square-foot ballroom that fits 350 people.
Oxford’s downtown features unique shopping and dining options, including the locally owned independent bookstore, Square Books, and The End of All Music, a vinyl-record shop. The area is also home to numerous award-winning restaurants, including chef John Currence’s legendary City Grocery and popular Bouré. Bar Muse, a small speakeasy bar in The Lyric Oxford theater lobby, is a live event and rental venue. The establishment offers craft cocktails curated by James Beard Award-nominee Joseph Stinchcomb.
A bike-friendly community, Oxford features many paths for road and mountain bike enthusiasts. Gear for such adventures, as well as for hiking, camping, and other activities, is available to rent at Ole Miss Outdoors. For more outdoor fun, the City of Oxford’s Park Commission is repurposing several tennis courts into pickleball courts.
This is a college town, so weekends from September to November get remarkably busy as football fans descend upon the city to cheer on Ole Miss. A similar frenzy occurs during baseball season, from March to May.
Tupelo
Tupelo.net; @MyTupelo
As the birthplace of Elvis Presley, rock ‘n’ roll’s king, Tupelo emits an infectious, unstoppable spirit that makes it a hit with event planners.
“A young Elvis Presley dreamed here. The city that inspired the world’s greatest entertainer still inspires people today,” says Jan Pannell, sales manager for the Tupelo CVB. “The contagious optimism in this happy, upbeat city will set you apart and set you up for a memorable meeting.”
Located downtown, adjacent to the 158-room Hilton Garden Inn, the newly expanded Cadence Bank Arena and Conference Center has 22,000 square feet of meeting space, including 14 meeting rooms. The 10,230-square-foot conference center seats 900 theater style and 520 for banquets, while the 32,000-square-foot arena seats 10,000, holds 170 exhibit booths, and has banquet space for 2,000.
Available for trade shows, meetings, concerts, and receptions, the Tupelo Furniture Market offers 1.5 million square feet of flexible exhibit space, including seven great halls that each accommodate 10,000 theater style and 2,000 for banquets. Located just off Interstate 22, the Belden Center at Itawamba Community College has 6,000 square feet of space, including eight meeting rooms, and accommodates gatherings of 200 people.
Tupelo also has more than 2,200 guest rooms and sufficient meeting space at various hotels. These include the Comfort Suites, with a 1,800-square-foot meeting room for 80 guests, and the Holiday Inn & Suites, which accommodates 125 guests. The city’s newest boutique property, Hotel Tupelo, has 79 rooms and a new restaurant, Jobos, which features fresh seafood, craft cocktails, and weekend brunch. Other recent additions include the new Home2 Suites and Tru by Hilton.
For a setting unique to Tupelo, the Elvis Presley Birthplace Event Center is available for functions and features 2,500 square feet of seating for 160 people. A smaller meeting space at the venue accommodates 60 people.
In the historic Beaux-Arts Peoples Bank & Trust Co. building, Tupelo’s Gumtree Museum of Art contains impressive exhibits that change regularly. The facility accommodates 100 for banquets and 250 for receptions. Another favorite, the restored Tupelo Cotton Mill, is a popular venue for weddings, corporate events, and live music.
Pine Belt Region
Hattiesburg/Forrest County
VisitHBurg.org; @VisitHBurg
Home to two universities, 3,100 hotel rooms, and a wealth of restaurants, Hattiesburg is quickly emerging as a top meeting and events destination in the South.
“Our city has undergone a great renaissance that has given us many amenities, turnkey event facilities, and local dining options to rival any major metropolitan area. We also have multiple music venues and a globally ranked public art scene,” says Kristen Brock, Visit Hattiesburg’s director of programs and development. “Those qualities, along with our central location and welcoming vibe, make Hattiesburg an excellent meetings destination.”
Venue options include the 270,000-square-foot Thad Cochran Center at The University of Southern Mississippi, with a capacity of 8,500. The Trent Lott National Center, which contains 6,000 square feet of event space for 300 guests, is also on campus.
Another local favorite is the historic Hattiesburg Train Depot. Built in 1910 in the Italian Renaissance style, the venue offers 14,000 square feet of space for meetings, exhibitions, and special events for a capacity of 1,000.
The Lake Terrace Convention Center offers 33,269 square feet of flexible meeting space, including a 14,581-square-foot exhibit hall that accommodates 1,600 in theater-style seating. Other features include seven meeting rooms, four open pre-function areas, and a state-of-the-art conference room. For outdoor events, the Lake Terrace and Courtyard Patio accommodates 110 for receptions, while the entire two-level terrace fits 150 guests. The destination recently added an expansive lawn ideal for music and outdoor events.
A new 85-room Holiday Inn Express-West, which opened earlier this year off Interstate 59, offers meeting space for gatherings of 30. The new Southern Prohibition brewery has a taproom and event space for 50 people. Onsite catering, a select liquor and wine menu, and a curated beer list are available. The Depot Kitchen & Market offers an expanded breakfast and lunch menu, a spacious courtyard, and event space. Bourbon on Front boasts an enticing steak and seafood menu to complement its selection of spirits and wine. The restaurant also has a rooftop bar, private event space, and a catering menu.
The new Colludium Brewing Company features a full menu of burgers, barbecue, comfort food, and an extensive collection of craft beers. Customers also can play any of the 100 available board games. Groups of six can choose from several different virtual escape room experiences, as well.
Southwest Region
Natchez
Visitnatchez.org; @Visitnatchez
Natchez has excellent small and mid-size event facilities, 1,120 guest rooms, and unique attractions appealing to planners hoping to create events with a bit of Southern ambiance.
“Natchez is one of the best cities to host meetings, and our special seasonal packages and event packages will help you make the most of your budget,” says Lynsey Gilbert, director of sales for Discover Natchez. “Our city offers groups easy accessibility to restaurants, shops, and attractions—all within walking distance of our hotels and meeting spaces. The food is unforgettable, the tours offer authentic experiences, and we have many wonderful locally owned shops.”
The Natchez Convention Center has more than 32,000 square feet of event space, including 23,000 feet of divisible function space, three meeting rooms, and an executive boardroom. The second floor has 6,670 square feet of dividable meeting space, including eight meeting rooms. At 18,000 square feet, the convention center’s largest space accommodates 1,800 people.
Nearby, the Natchez Civic Center has 5,000 square feet of event space and is equipped to handle event overflow from the convention center.
Adjacent to the convention center, the 119-room Natchez Grand Hotel offers 5,000 square feet of event space. The hotel’s largest space, a dividable 2,168-square-foot conference room, accommodates 170 in theater-style seating and 230 guests for receptions. The hotel’s 2,162-square-foot grand ballroom accommodates 215 guests for receptions.
Elsewhere, the 141-room Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel features 3,300 square feet of event space, including two meeting rooms. Currently under renovation, the 86-room Hampton Inn Natchez offers meeting space for 50 people. Its sister property, the Hampton Inn Express & Suites, also is scheduled to undergo upgrades.
Those looking for unique, historical settings will find that Natchez offers many hotels, bed and breakfasts, and historical sites for meetings and social events. Built as a residence in 1856, the Dunleith Historic Inn features 22 elegant guest rooms. The property has one event space that fits 500 guests, while its South Lawn holds 700 guests. The charming Castle Restaurant, located in Dunleith’s original 18th-century carriage house, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, offering gourmet meals and
small bites.
Monmouth Historic Inn has 30 rooms and event space for meetings, seminars, and conferences, with catering available from two onsite restaurants. Venue staff also can help groups arrange cooking demonstrations, guest speakers, floral arranging, art classes, and golf and fishing tournaments.
For the great outdoors, Double C Ranch offers field trips, riverboat tours, and corporate training events. More options include cooking classes and demonstrations at the Natchez Heritage School of Cooking or a special private session called “Regina’s Biscuits 101,” led by Natchez chef Regina Charboneau.
