• 59°
franklin county times

Tourism director: What says Meridian'?

By By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
July 16, 2001
The lonesome yodel of Jimmie Rodgers, the mournful wail of a train and the proud cheer of victory at State Games of Mississippi may be part of Meridian's identity for years to come but Meridian officials are searching for new symbols as well.
Allison Beasley, director of the Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau, joined The Meridian Star's editorial board to discuss who the area's tourists are, what they come to see and do and how tourism officials can market the area better to attract more visitors.
Beasley said the bureau's recently-hired advertising agency, Leading Edges Marketing, is helping "brand" Meridian.
Defining tourists
Beasley said her definition of a tourist is "anybody from out of town, whether it be a business traveler, a group traveler or a leisure traveler."
Beasley said tourism statistics usually reflect overnight visitors. Though people on day-trips are welcome visitors as well, she said marketing efforts usually extend beyond a 30-mile radius.
About 750,000 tourists come to stay in Meridian's 1,600 hotel rooms each year, she said.
Meridian has business travelers, Beasley said, but can't compete with conference destinations like the Gulf Coast and Jackson or right next door at the Silver Star Resort and Casino because it doesn't have the capacity for large conferences.
Beasley said the proximity of the Silver Star, however, does help the Meridian area.
She said tourism employees work with local hotels to bid on conferences and provide services once business tourists arrive. They make name tags, help with registration and give them literature about restaurants and things to do while they're here.
Biggest attractions
Beasley said sporting events draw Meridian's biggest crowds. State Games obviously has the greatest economic impact, she said, but State Games is also an opportunity to sell people on other tournaments and athletic events.
The Sunfish Summer Triathlon on the weekend of July 7 attracted almost 400 participants, 360 of whom were tourists. Close to 90 from Louisiana. Others came from Florida, Arkansas, Alabama and even one from Colorado, she said.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3275, or e-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x