President Paula Brahan presided over today’s meeting. Kathryn Anthony gave today’s invocation and Don Mallory led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Dan Davis served as our greeter today.
James Mitchell asked everyone to consider volunteering for the board and passed around a signup sheet. Paula then read a letter of thanks from Father Tommy. He thanked Rotary for the $100 donation in the name of Johnny Stevens to the St. Fabian building fund.
Paula then introduced today’s guest speaker, Marlo Dorsey. In October 2017, Dorsey became the new Executive Director of Hattiesburg Tourism Commission.
Our hanks to VisitHATTIESBURG Executive Director,
Marlo Dorsey, for providing our program on Tuesday.
L-R: Club President, Paula Brahan; Marlo Dorsey, and Anthony Harris.
Established in 1990, the Hattiesburg Tourism Commission (HTC, is the official Destination Marketing Organization of the City of Hattiesburg, VisitHATTIESBURG was created to promote the Greater Hattiesburg Area and its tourism product mix to potential visitors. The mission of VisitHATTIESBURG is to increase the economic impact of visitors on our local economy. By marketing Hattiesburg's existing attractions, such as the Hattiesburg Zoo, Historic Saenger Theater, African American Military History Museum, Longleaf Trace Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Project, the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum and Hattiesburg's Historic Downtown—just to name a few—VISITHATTIESBURG has grown the local tourism industry to over $274 million in value to our local economy.
Hattiesburg is the third most visited city in Mississippi with more than 1.8 million visitors in 2016, whose combined local spending was more than $274 million.
Visitors bring more revenue to our local hotels and attractions, and they bring more shoppers and diners to our retail outlets and restaurants. By collaborating with our partners and showcasing Hattiesburg to key visitor markets, we have tremendous opportunities in the next chapter of development. “I am truly excited about the future," said Dorsey.
Hattiesburg has something to offer groups of all types and sizes! Whether you need a large space like the Lake Terrace Convention Center or a smaller location like The Venue at the Bakery Building, our town is ready to accommodate you. Let us help you with lectures, team building facilitation, and more!
If you want to plan something for the family or friends, visit https://www.visithburg.org.
There is something for everyone.
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If you would like to schedule a tour, you can contact our Sales Department for information on any Hattiesburg Convention or Tourism Commission facility.
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With no other business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned by Paula with our motto, “Service Above Self.”
Minutes provided by:
Toni Lee, Association Mgt. Systems
on behalf of Lamar Evans, Exec. Sec.