The Bicentennial Celebration will embody the theme “Homecoming.” City officials, executives, committee members, locals, and community leaders gathered to kick off the 200th Bicentennial Celebration celebrating The City With Soul at Thalia Mara Hall. The kick-off event highlighted the moments in time and the people who have impacted the city of Jackson. Other celebrations marking Jackson’s historic milestone will be included in a 13 month-long bicentennial series, celebrating our excellent assortment of city events highlighting Jackson businesses and focusing on the local people will conti ..read more

The second phase of the JXN Icons series was unveiled in Jackson on Wednesday, celebrating nine additional heroes, visionaries, and legends of Mississippi’s capital city. They include Dr. Margaret Walker Alexander, Angie Thomas and Richard Wright for their literary contributions; Dorothy Moore for her musical contributions in blues, gospel and R&B genres; Harold “Hal” and Malcolm “Mal” White for conceiving the idea to establish Hal & Mal’s, the iconic restaurant and hub for live music and the iconic Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade; James Meredith for the bravery he exhibited planning and lea ..read more

Jackson, Mississippi’s rich culinary history – and future – will be on full display in Atlanta, Georgia September 10 and 11 at Historic Fourth Ward Park for the 2021 Atlanta Food & Wine Festival. Chefs Enrika Williams and Brian Myrick and pit master Eddie Wright will represent the City With Soul with two days of tastings and on-stage cooking demonstrations. Celebrating a rich heritage of authentic southern cuisine, the trio gives us a glimpse into who they are, what they will prepare for the event and, their take on Jackson’s food scene. Williams. Image: Imani KhayyamChef Enrika Williams ..read more

The Visit Jackson staff and board members, along with Visit MS Director of Tourism, Craig Ray (left); MDA interim Exec. Dir. Laura Hipp (4th from right) and MTA President, Marlo Dorsey (3rd from left). Image: Ron Blaylock/MTA Visit Jackson took home top honors for the second year in a row at the 2021 Mississippi Tourism Association’s Governor’s Conference on Tourism. Those accolades include Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) of the Year for budgets over $1,000,000 and Best Overall Social Media Strategy Award, both earned two years in a row; the Tourism Achievement Award; and the Research ..read more

Our pledge is a shared commitment with you and all meeting participants to keep everyone safe and healthy. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a renewed commitment in the travel industry to health and wellness and a responsibility to communicate this commitment actively. Public health safety for employees, planners and meeting attendees in our city is of utmost importance. As a destination management organization, Visit Jackson has partnered with dedicated industry professionals to implement extra safety precautions. Our pledge is a shared commitment with you and all meeting participants to kee ..read more

Clay-Moore Yolanda Clay-Moore has been named Communications Manager for Visit Jackson. Clay-Moore, who received her undergraduate degree from Tougaloo College and her graduate degree from Full Sail University, is no stranger to the organization. She began her public relations career working for the organization from 2011 – 2018 before accepting the Public Relations and Customer Service Manager position with the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority (JMAA).     Clay-Moore began on August 9 and is responsible for copywriting and media relations and serves as the official spoke ..read more

Pettus Visit Jackson’s Vice President of Marketing, Jonathan Pettus, has been named to the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Tourism Association (MTA). Pettus will serve a three-year term as Area IV Board Member for the capital/river region, co-chair of the association’s marketing and public relations committee and member of the education committee. “I appreciate that my fellow tourism professionals nominated and voted for me to serve as a board member of the Mississippi Tourism Association,” Pettus said. “It is an honor and privilege to help lead our industry as we recover from the devast ..read more

MS Veteran’s Memorial Stadium will play host to both weekend games. Visit Jackson and the City of Jackson today announced a “Soul-Filled” Weekend, September 25 and 26, with two college football games at the core of weekend activities. Game one, the W.C. Gorden Classic, pits Jackson State University against Delta State University on Saturday, September 25. Game two, the Delta-Bayou Classic, pits Mississippi Valley State University against Southern University on Sunday, September 26.  Additional events leading up to the weekend tentatively include a President’s reception, coaches luncheon ..read more

A still from the “Best of Show” award-winning Discover JXN campaign for Visit Jackson. MWB (Maris, West and Baker), a creative company and Visit Jackson’s agency-of-record, figuratively “cleaned up” at the 2020 American Advertising Awards presented by AAF Jackson with client work for Visit Jackson garnering the lion’s share of the honors.  The company took home 19 “Addy” Awards — four gold, nine silver, two Best of Show, and the Mosaic Award.  MWB won Best of Show Overall for the Discover JXN campaign, Best of Show Digital for the City with Soul Strong video, and the Mosaic Award for ..read more

Visit Jackson team members work to spruce up landscaping outside their downtown office. National Travel & Tourism Week 2021 in Jackson, Mississippi is going out on a community-minded note. Visit Jackson takes a look at several recent service initiatives aimed at bettering the City With Soul. On Friday, Visit Jackson team members, alongside Downtown Jackson Partners and Keep Jackson Beautiful picked up trash, pulled weeds and planted flowers in an effort to beautify the gateways into the downtown area, specifically near the “Welcome to Jackson” mural. “We’ve got to stop throwing things out ..read more