The South’s Warmest Welcome MISSISSIPPI – Brief Article – Statistical Data Included
What a difference a decade makes. Although always known for hospitality, Mississippi’s newest reputation is for non-stop entertainment at dozens of casinos. The addition of hundreds of holes of golf, thousands of hotel rooms and a panoply of gaming venues has transformed Mississippi into one of the nation’s hottest meeting destinations.
Mississippi is now the nation’s fastest growing center for corporate meetings and incentives. And even more hotel and convention venues are on the way. The action is scattered throughout the state, from the Delta to the banks of the Mississippi River to the white sand beaches along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Mississippi casinos, which include some of the nation’s largest new hotels, provide luxurious accommodations, blockbuster Las Vegas-style shows and fine dining.
Because of mild weather year round, Mississippi’s over 200 golf courses beckon golfers 365 days a year. Some of the world’s greatest golf course architects, such as Jack Nicklaus, Jeny Pate and Tom Fazio have carved courses from beautiful rolling hills, flat plateaus and lakeside surroundings making an outing that is doubly enjoyable. Your foursome’s only difficulty will be deciding where to start your golf holiday.
The state has the fastest growing gaming industry in America, with not one but several centers of action. Nine casinos in Tunica, just south of Memphis, are convenient to the Midsouth and the Midwest.
Stretched along 1-10, the Gulf Coast blends the traditional lure of fun in the sun year round with Las Vegas excitement at a dozen casinos, ranging in size from intimate to impressive. To assist your travel, Air Tran is now providing new daily non-stop jet service between seven southeastern cities and the Gulfport/Biloxi Regional Airport.
With more than 26 miles of sugar-white sand, Mississippi beaches are the playground of the South.
Regardless of where you choose to meet in Mississippi, you will always receive the South’s warmest welcome.
To help you narrow your choices, Chris Bounds, CMP, of the Mississippi Division of Tourism Development will gladly rush you a copy of the 80-page Mississippi Planners Guide.
ISLE OF CAPRI BILOXI
When guests enter the Caribbean-themed casino, they feel transported to an island far away. The casino sparkles with vibrant colors, towering palms and cascading indoor waterfalls. The multi-level gaming complex features a full-service restaurant and lounge.
The Isle, which was the South’s first casino, opened its doors on August 1, 1992, and triggered a renaissance in attracting convention and meetings to the state. The hotel opened in 1995, and has received honors every year of operation. The hotel offers 15,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including a ballroom for group events. Three dining options are available for convention delegates.
HARRISON COUNTY
The Mississippi Gulf Coast, one of America’s fastest growing convention and incentive travel destinations, is exploding with options for meeting planners to consider. Golf courses, hotels, upscale restaurants, casinos and other attractions are opening faster than waves can hit the beach.
The aptly named Playground of the South” offers a growing inventory of first-class hotels and resorts. The Coast has a total of more than 15,000 guest rooms, of which 2,000 are within walking distance of the newly renovated Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center. The convention center can comfortably host 6,300 delegates seated theater-style or 5,000 for banquets in the flexible 180,000 square-foot facility.
To begin planning your event, contact the convention department of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau at 888-467-4853.
JACKSON
Convention delegates meeting in Jackson, the state capital, have a number of unique sites for tours. Jackson has a wealth of historic government buildings. The Old Capitol, erected in 1838, housed state government until 1903 and now offers self-guided tours.
Jackson boasts a number of convention hotels that can accommodate meetings and incentive groups. For additional information on meeting venues and attractions, contact the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-354-7695.
SAM’ TOWN
With more than 1 million square feet of action and relaxation, Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall is one of Mississippi’s largest casino and entertainment complexes. Sam’s Town offers 860 luxurious hotel rooms and suites, plus full-scale meeting and banquet facilities. The hotel can accommodate up to 1,600 delegates in the 30,000 square feet of banquet space available.
Sam’s Town showcases America’s biggest entertainment headliners on weekends. Ray Charles, Wynonna, Donna Summer, Gladys Knight, REO Speedwagon, Chris Rock, Sammy Kershaw and Jerry Lee Lewis are just a few of the big stars that have entertained hotel guests in the 1,600 seat Las Vegas-style River Palace Arena. For even more live entertainment, Sam’s Town Roxy’s Stage presents popular regional talent.
Meeting planners wanting to add a golf outing to a meeting or incentive trip come up winners here. Close to Sam’s Town is the new 18 hole River Bend Links golf course. Designers transformed a cotton field into one of the state’s finest new golf destinations.
Sam’s Town is located in Robinsonville, MS, just south of Memphis International Airport and north of Tunica on Casino Strip Boulevard.
TUPELO
Long known as the birthplace of Elvis Presley, the place to go is Tupelo.
Whether it’s a meeting, trade show or convention, Tupelo is ready to do business. Everything you need to have a successful event is here. Over 1,500 quality guestrooms, unique meeting venues, interesting restaurants, exciting shopping and a variety of attractions make for a total package at competitive prices. From facilities as massive as the 1.2 million square feet at the Tupelo Furniture Market and the 10,000 seat Tupelo Coliseum, to the more personal setting at the historic Artist Guild Gallery, we’ve got a place for your business. Planning a meeting…plan on Tupelo. For a full range of services to help your event go smoothly, turn to the professionals at the Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau.
HANCOCK
Hancock County, home to the cities of Bay St. Louis and Waveland, MS, is quickly growing in prestige and popularity with Associations, Organizations and individual tourists!
Only 40 miles east of New Orleans and 30 miles west of Biloxi, this quaint and beautiful seaside resort destination offers a variety of wonderful meeting and lodging opportunities, ranging from Bed and Breakfast Antebellum Inns to modern fully equipped hotels and convention facilities. From historic meeting and retreat sites such as the L & N Train Depot to Casino Magic’s brand new 23,000 square foot multi-purpose facility, Hancock County has something for your organization.
Sunshine, beaches, charter boat fishing and tours, shopping, dining, lodging, gaming, golf and tennis, Hancock County can offer all of these and more!
GRAND CASINO
It’s spectacular. It’s exhilarating. It’s electrifying. Welcome to the exciting world of the Grand Casino!
The moment you arrive at any of Mississippi’s Grand Casinos, you know you’ve reached something spectacular. From exhilarating Las Vegas-style gaming and entertainment to the luxurious rooms and breathtaking views. And meeting facilities that will accommodate any occasion. Grand Casino has it all.
GRAND CASINO TUNICA
The Grand Casino Tunica currently features two magnificent hotels and future plans include a new 600-room hotel opened in 1999.
Guests can enjoy 24-hour gaming action in over 140,000-sq. ft. of gaming in four uniquely themed areas or enjoy golf at Cottonwoods, an 18-hole Hale Irwin championship course.
Grand Casino Tunica hotels feature state-of-the-art facilities for business and corporate activities. The recent addition of a 48,000 square-foot convention center offers a huge ballroom, exhibit hall and all the support necessary for virtually any event.
GRAND CASINO BILOXI
The Grand Casino Biloxi features two magnificent hotels offering over 1,000 first class rooms.
Grand Casino Biloxi is perfect for all your business and corporate needs with over 40,000-sq. ft. of flexible, well-appointed meeting and banquet space. The Grand Casino Biloxi plans to expand its meeting space another 30,000-sq. ft. to include a 15,000 square-foot ballroom and 6,000 sq. ft of prefunction space.
GRAND CASINO GULFPORT
Located on the sparkling blue Gulf of Mexico, Grand Casino Gulfport offers over 400 first-class guestrooms and suites. And, Grand Casino Gulfport plans a “Grand Expansion” to include the 600 room Oasis Resort and Spa.
As with all Grand Casinos, guests will enjoy 24-hour gaming action at over 2,000 slots and 90 game tables.
With more than 9,000-sq. ft. of well-appointed meeting and banquet space, Grand Casino Gulfport is perfect for your meeting needs. Grand Casino Gulfport also offers an experienced catering and convention staff, as well as professional audiovisual equipment and services.
MS STATE PARKS
Before you schedule another meeting in the asphalt jungles, consider something really wild: Mississippi State Parks.
Easy to access, scenic and serene, any one of Mississippi’s 27 state parks can provide an ideal setting for company picnics, seminars and meetings. And we’re not just talking about small gatherings. Our new corporate convention and meeting facilities can accommodate up to 600 people. Our new Livingston Performing Arts and Media Center in Roosevelt State Park offers state-of-the-art radio and television production facilities and tele-conferencing capabilities. The auditorium can seat up to 600 people for an event, and there are overnight lodging and banquet facilities within the park that can accommodate up to 300 people.
With activities like hiking, fishing, canoeing and tennis, there’s plenty to do after the day’s business is done. Three of our parks even have golf courses, with the Quail Hollow Golf Course at Percy Quinn State Park recognized as one of the top 50 public courses in the nation. And many feature hotels and executive suites for cozy overnight stays.
TUNICA
America’s third largest gaming destination is Tunica, MS, with nine world-class casinos and 6,100 new hotel rooms just a half-hour south of Memphis International Airport via “Blues Alley.” That’s what locals call Highway 61 in the Mississippi Delta.
Combine the culture of Southern hospitality, the legacy of laid-back blues music and the heritage of delicious cooking with the casino excitement and you’ve described why the Tunica area is the ideal location for your next meeting or incentive trip.
Tunica is the nation’s most centrally located gaming mecca and convenient for convention delegates from throughout the nation. One site inspection and you’ll understand why Tunica is the South’s Casino Capital.
The meeting venues offer room blocks of up to 500 and a total of more than 120,000 square feet of flexible meeting facilities. The largest theater-style seating accommodates 2,500.
It is easy to plan a meeting here. The staff of the Tunica Convention and Visitors Bureau assists meeting planners with bid presentations, coordinates site selection and offers itineraries for spouse tours and other events. It just takes one call to get the ball rolling.
Tunica’s casinos offer exceptional meeting facilities and complete guest services. Need to stretch? Guests can be pampered with a sauna or workout in fully equipped exercise facilities. Casinos and hotel guest rooms offer relaxing views of the nation’s biggest and most famous river: The Mississippi!
It is easier than ever to incorporate a golf tournament with your meeting. Spectacular new golf courses designed by America’s top course architects are being carved from the rolling farmland just a stone’s throw away from the casinos.
It is easy to get details about the choice locations in the Tunica area for meetings and conventions.
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