Page 8 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2016

COASTNOTES
A masterpiece of intelligence
The 2017 E-Class—and the very future of driving— have arrived
The top of
luxury has
been lifted
The 2017 S-Class Cabriolet is the world’s benchmark convertible
Mercedes-Benz
of South Mississippi
11619 Bobby Eleuterius Blvd., D’Iberville, MS 39540 Located on the I-10 Frontage Road at The Promenade
228-265-9185 www.MBofSM.com
Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast wins award at Governor’s Conference on Tourism
story by Lynn Lofton photo courtesy of Tourism Commission
Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast, the official destination marketing organization for South Mississippi, received Tourism Office of the Year for budgets exceeding $750,000 and Social Media Strategy of the Year at the 2016 Governor’s Conference on Tourism hosted by the Mississippi Tourism Association. These awards add to the organization’s recent recognition
of Tourism Office of the Year Shining Example Award by the Southeast Tourism Society.
Winners are selected by a panel
of industry peers based on
programs implemented, notable accomplishments throughout the year and other factors proving how the nominee is a valuable asset to the Mississippi tourism industry.
“Our team strives to find innovative and unique ways to engage travelers, from enlisting influencers and writers to help tell our story to creating events during the slower travel seasons on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We’re honored to accept both awards and share these exciting accomplishments with our partners and communities,” said Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast Executive Director Renée Areng.
June 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016 was filled with victories for VMGC, including: establishing a localized social media campaign, aimed to encourage residents and visitors to share their #MSCoastLife; a complete
overhaul of the organization’s website, gulfcoast.org; creation
and implementation of a regional hospitality training program, Coast Champions; further development of the area’s culinary culture through EatMSCoast.com, a hub for locals
and visitors alike to explore and engage; a partnership with Google Maps through the Google Trekker program to virtually put the region
on the map; an announcement of an inaugural Coast wide running festival; and a framework for the future with studies conducted regarding visitor perceptions and sports facilities.
Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast is an organization charged with promoting South Mississippi as a tourism and convention destination worldwide. Its mission centers on attracting ever-increasing numbers of leisure, convention, sports and business visitors to the area.
Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast
228.896.6699
www.gulfcoast.org
Mississippi Tourism Association
www.visitmissisippi.org or www.mstourism.com
8 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • November 2016
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net