Black Meetings & Tourism - Jackson Convention Complex Has Successful First Year

Facilities Update
Jackson Convention Complex Has Successful First Year
Business is booming at the Jackson Convention Complex. In its first year of operation, the facility has generated over $21 million in economic impact on the City of Jackson by hosting 323 event days attracting 128,590 guests. In 2009 the facility hosted events such as the three-day Motor Trend Auto Show, Get Motivated Seminar, Mississippi Real Estate Commission and the Mississippi Technology Alliance. "It has been an exceptional first year for the facility," said Fred Banks, chairman of the Commission for the Jackson Convention Complex. "The Convention Complex's development has been an enormous gift to the metropolitan area in so many ways. It has improved the economy of our capital city by creating jobs for our citizens, opportunities for small and minority owned businesses, and putting people in city hotels, motels and restaurants." On average delegated spending for each event is between $70 and $139.77. The Jackson Convention Complex has been successful in attracting conferences and meetings from the corporate, convention and sports market segments. "Our mission is to create a business impact on the economy of our capital city," said Linda McCarthy, general manager for SMG, the facility's management company. "This first year proves that we are making significant strides. The Jackson Convention Complex is quickly becoming a major player in the convention and meeting market in the Southeast, having hosted conventions and meetings such as the United States China Chamber of Commerce, the Capital City Roller Derby, the Mississippi United Methodist Church, the Church of God In Christ Convention, the State Baptist Convention and the Mississippi Hospital Association.” As its mantra states, the Jackson Convention Complex is "Where Mississippi Meets the World". Wanda Wilson, CEO for the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau says that the Convention Complex has not only had an economic, but also a cultural impact. "The Convention Complex is filling Jackson's missing piece of the puzzle," Wilson said. "There is diversity in the events held at the Complex. We are attracting new and larger audiences who are experiencing all that Jackson has to offer. This is all a direct result of the Convention Complex."

Facilities Update

Jackson Convention Complex Has Successful First Year

Business is booming at the Jackson Convention Complex. In its first year of operation, the facility has generated over $21 million in economic impact on the City of Jackson by hosting 323 event days attracting 128,590 guests. In 2009 the facility hosted events such as the three-day Motor Trend Auto Show, Get Motivated Seminar, Mississippi Real Estate Commission and the Mississippi Technology Alliance. "It has been an exceptional first year for the facility," said Fred Banks, chairman of the Commission for the Jackson Convention Complex. "The Convention Complex's development has been an enormous gift to the metropolitan area in so many ways. It has improved the economy of our capital city by creating jobs for our citizens, opportunities for small and minority owned businesses, and putting people in city hotels, motels and restaurants."

On average delegated spending for each event is between $70 and $139.77. The Jackson Convention Complex has been successful in attracting conferences and meetings from the corporate, convention and sports market segments. "Our mission is to create a business impact on the economy of our capital city," said Linda McCarthy, general manager for SMG, the facility's management company. "This first year proves that we are making significant strides. The Jackson Convention Complex is quickly becoming a major player in the convention and meeting market in the Southeast, having hosted conventions and meetings such as the United States China Chamber of Commerce, the Capital City Roller Derby, the Mississippi United Methodist Church, the Church of God In Christ Convention, the State Baptist Convention and the Mississippi Hospital Association.”

As its mantra states, the Jackson Convention Complex is "Where Mississippi Meets the World". Wanda Wilson, CEO for the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau says that the Convention Complex has not only had an economic, but also a cultural impact. "The Convention Complex is filling Jackson's missing piece of the puzzle," Wilson said. "There is diversity in the events held at the Complex. We are attracting new and larger audiences who are experiencing all that Jackson has to offer. This is all a direct result of the Convention Complex."