DeSoto County Tourism, BankPlus Amphitheater earn Governor’s Conference awards
Oct. 28, 2024 – The Mississippi Tourism Association (MTA) recognized DeSoto County Tourism as Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) of the Year and BankPlus Amphitheater as the state’s Venue of the Year at its annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism Oct. 2-4 at Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg.
Each year, MTA honors state industry leaders exhibiting excellence in their respective sectors of hospitality and tourism. This year, 22 awards were presented, each recognizing a unique aspect of the industry or individual accomplishment.
“Mississippi’s tourism industry continues to flourish,” said Gov. Tate Reeves. “Every day, more visitors are discovering the charm of our state as they are drawn in by its natural beauty and the genuine hospitality of our people. It’s no surprise why Mississippi leaves such a lasting impression with our visitors. I want to extend my gratitude to the Mississippi Tourism Association and their members for showcasing all that our state has to offer and congratulate this year’s outstanding award winners.”
DeSoto County Tourism was named DMO of the Year, recognizing its excellence in destination marketing and management for organizations with a budget under $500,000. DeSoto County, located along the I-55 corridor, has positioned itself as a destination for travelers passing through and those living across the region. Its diverse shopping, affordability, dining and wide array of attractions have helped position the area as a vibrant and charming destination.
“The tourism team is honored to be recognized by the Mississippi Tourism Association for our dedication to promoting DeSoto County as a premier destination,” said Jon Frost, DeSoto County Tourism director. “Our team’s unwavering commitment to showcasing the best our county has to offer has resulted in significant growth and recognition. These awards are a testament to the collaborative efforts of our community and partners and we will continue to build on this momentum, positioning DeSoto County as a leader in the tourism industry.”
Over the past year, DeSoto County Tourism has put itself on the map through marketing and promotional efforts. The team successfully organized its first DeSoto County Dining Week in January 2024 to celebrate the area’s culinary scene and hosted a social media scavenger hunt during National Travel & Tourism Week. The latter showcased the county’s unique offerings and fostered community engagement. The results were undeniable, as website traffic, social media analytics and media placements saw significant increases across 2023-2024.
“We are delighted to celebrate these hardworking individuals who consistently go above and beyond for their communities and organizations,” said MTA executive director Danielle Morgan. “The competitiveness of these awards reflects the exceptional quality of work from our partners and highlights the strength of Mississippi’s tourism industry. It’s a privilege to collaborate with such remarkable professionals as we continue to drive growth and success in our field.”
Owned by the City of Southaven and managed by DeSoto County Convention & Visitors Bureau, BankPlus Amphitheater underwent an $11 million renovation in 2020. The venue offers state-of-the-art amenities, a capacity of up to 11,000 spectators, private group boxes, a premium lounge, full-service concessions and VIP services – all of which have contributed to its growing reputation as the largest and most advanced outdoor concert venue in the Mid-South.
