Jackson/Meridian
New Convention Center Complex Makes Headlines
By Angie Baldwin First there was a lot of talk about positioning, possibility and potential. Then came plans, big ones, for Mississippi's capital city. The citizens of Jackson decided if they built it, people would come, and hopefully, they would come in droves. A new convention center, new hotels, millions of dollars in renovations to existing facilities, and upgraded and expanded attractions are all slated for completion by sometime in 2009.
It is an ambitious endeavor for a mid-sized city, but Larry Hollingsworth, general manager of the Hilton Jackson Hotel and a commissioner for the Jackson Convention Complex, had seen such change in other cities across the South and believed Jackson could experience similar success. "Jackson has a vibrant community and a stable economy. It also has stabilizing forces downtown, like the Hilton. By building these new facilities, you hope to incite demand."
Today, much of the plan for Jackson has come to life, and in the months ahead, much more is expected. The state-of-the-art, 74,000-square-foot Mississippi TelCom Center opened in 2006 with 14 meeting rooms, accomplishing phase one of Jackson's transformation.
And, set to open in January 2009, the Capital City Convention Center will complete phase two. The convention center will meld seamlessly with the TelCom Center, and the two buildings will be known as the Jackson Convention Complex, said Shun Hatten, vice president of sales for the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). Together the facilities will provide 110,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting and exhibit space, Hatten said. "Holding 7,000 people at one time, the Jackson Convention Complex will attract larger business and more events, consumer shows and trade shows than ever before."
Nearby, the King Edward Hotel is under redevelopment and slated for a mid-2009 opening, according to officials with Historic Restoration Inc. of New Orleans, who formed a partnership with other developers to restore the hotel. It's expected to reopen its doors in June 2009 as a Hilton Garden Inn with 186 hotel rooms. And, a Dallas developer recently began construction on a $209 million project that will include a luxury hotel and an extended-stay hotel. The project is expected to be completed by mid-2009.
Also adjacent to the convention complex is an arts district where the Mississippi Museum of Art opened its brand new facility last June, Hatten said, adding that with its sculpted exterior grounds, wireless Internet service and unique interior spaces, the museum is one of Jackson's most original off-site meeting venues.
One of the city's largest hotels, the 273-room Hilton Jackson Hotel and Convention Center is in the midst of a $6 million renovation under its new owner. Renovations include the hotel's public spaces, guest rooms and meeting space and should be completed by November, said Janna Hughes, marketing director. The hotel offers 30,000 square feet of meeting space, three restaurants, a new swimming pool and outdoor cabanas. "We have great facilities and flexibility," Hughes said.
The Regency Hotel and Convention Center recently upgraded all of its 285 guest rooms as well as the hotel's corridors and exterior landscaping, said Director of Sales Ruby Dewberry. The hotel offers 20,000 square feet of indoor meeting space.
Key Info · Sales Tax: 7 percent
· Hotel Tax: 4 percent
· Transportation: The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile National Scenic Byway that stretches from the Mississippi River in Natchez, Miss., north to Nashville. The highway runs through Jackson. |
The 18-room Fairview Inn opened a new spa in June, while also recently completing an owner's apartment, an outdoor rose and herb garden, and the installation of new flooring in the inn, according to Guest Services Agent Ashley Reed. The inn offers 3,000 square feet of meeting space.
Complete renovations of all of the 173 sleeping rooms at the Cabot Lodge Jackson Millsaps Hotel will be done by August, according to Director of Sales Heather Warrington. The hotel has remained open throughout the renovation process, but a re-launch of the property with its new signage will take place in August. New TVs, pillow-top beds and drapes are just a few of the new items in each guest room. With five meeting rooms and one boardroom, the hotel offers 3,200 square feet of meeting space. "Our customer service keeps people coming back," Warrington said.
Nearby in Ridgeland, Cabot Lodge Jackson North features a complimentary breakfast and a complimentary cocktail reception, 208 guest rooms and two meeting rooms.
The Clarion Hotel and Suites Jackson North, with 7,500 square feet of meeting space, recently completed a $7 million renovation of all of its 222 guest rooms, according to Director of Sales Jennifer Turner, who said the full-service property is a "one-stop shop" for groups.
These new developments are not the only reason Jackson is an ideal destination for groups, Hatten said. "Along with the affordability of Jackson's hotels and meeting spaces, the ‘city with soul' also offers a diversity of meeting sites so that planners can easily select a unique Mississippi theme for their events. Jackson's many new developments will add to the variety of meeting spaces and accommodations already available."
Additional sites throughout the area include the 105-acre Mississippi Fairgrounds Complex, which is located downtown and is composed of 17,000 square feet of meeting space in the Agricultural and Industry Buildings, 67,140 square feet in the multipurpose space in the Trade Mart building, and a 6,500-seat coliseum, according to Executive Director Michael Brinkley Jr. "Meeting planners," he said, "like our location near the interstate and our secure, fenced-in property. We are also near many restaurants and six hotels."
Nearby, the 303-room Jackson Marriott is capable of hosting up to 1,000 meeting guests in its 35,000 square feet of meeting space; however, the hotel may be best known for its banquet staff rather than its flexible space, said Tina Conway Smith, director of sales. "We have the absolute best banquet staff, hands down. They've been together at least 15 years and always get rave reviews."
Ten minutes west of Jackson, the Eagle Ridge Conference Center offers 54 guest rooms, 10,000 square feet of meeting space, an 18-hole golf course and a view overlooking Raymond Lake, said Director Peggy Lofton. "Meeting guests like that we are out of the city."
Meridian
Located one hour east of Jackson, the city of Meridian, Miss., caters to various types of groups, said Jeremy Campbell, marketing manager for the Meridian/Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau. "Lately, a lot of groups do not want to travel far because of gas prices, so Meridian is attracting out-of-state groups that do not want to venture far from home but want a change of scenery."
A full-service, 150-room Holiday Inn will open in Meridian next summer, Campbell said. "Plans for the hotel include meeting space, a restaurant and a lounge." Other new hotels include a 182-room Drury Inn Suites, which is scheduled to open this fall, and a 133-room Hilton Garden Inn, which opened last year with 3,500 square feet of meeting space, he said. "Though we are still limited to small groups, we have more meeting space than ever before, thanks to these new properties and the Riley Center."
The MSU (Mississippi State University) Riley Center opened in 2006 in a historic building in downtown Meridian and still wears its history in its Victorian architecture and design. But, its contemporary technological capabilities and newly built meeting rooms have made it a popular choice for meetings, according to Executive Director Dennis Sankovich. "We are not your standard highway hotel. Our meeting rooms are interconnected and fully functional with the newest technology. Our guests are blown away by our service as well. We are old wine in a new bottle," Sankovich said. The center features 12 meeting rooms and 30,000 square feet of meeting space with an 870-seat theater as well.
