The Mississippi Tourism Association (MTA), the state’s voice of tourism for more than 35 years, is pleased to announce its elected board of officers for 2024-2025. Starkville’s Director of Tourism, Paige Hunt, began serving as the state association’s secretary/treasurer starting July 1.
The MTA Executive Board also includes the following members:
• Dr. Rickey Thigpen, President & CEO – Visit Jackson: MTA President
• Laura Beth Strickland, Executive Director – Visit Vicksburg: President Elect
• Kurt Allen, President & CEO – Mississippi Aquarium: Vice President
• Christy Burns, Executive Director – Visit Corinth: Past President
President Dr. Rickey Thigpen said, “Tourism is a crucial economic driver in Mississippi, weaving together the state’s cultural heritage, natural beauty, and hospitality to create a tapestry of experiences that captivate and enrich visitors from around the world. As the President of the Mississippi Tourism Association, I am excited to continue a tradition of excellence and economic vitality for our great state. Mississippi Tourism is proud to boast that it is the state’s fourth-largest employer, generating $7.5 billion in visitor spending in 2023. Last year, this activity saved each Mississippi household $663 in taxes while providing approximately 105,000 jobs for Mississippians. The Mississippi Tourism industry is committed to utilizing collective ambition as its strategy resulting in an enhanced quality of life for our citizens and a sense of place for visitors.”
Paige is an experienced destination marketer who has worked at both the state and local level. She joined The Partnership in 2021 as the Director of Tourism. In her role, she works to develop and implement programs to further the vision for tourism in Starkville: Mississippi’s College Town. She focuses on the promotion of Starkville as a destination market for conventions, sporting events, and cultural tourism efforts that directly benefit the Starkville economy. Under her leadership, Starkville has been awarded Tourism Partnership of the Year, Small Festival/Event of the Year, and the Best Overall Digital Media Campaign at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism. Additionally, Paige was recognized as the Mississippi TourismAssociation’s Member of the Year in 2023.
“Tourism is a vital multi-billion-dollar industry for Mississippi, which reflects the dedication of our tourism leaders and the strategic vision of state and local officials who have committed to investing in tourism growth,” said Danielle Morgan, MTA Executive Director. Our members have elected strong and capable leaders who will guide our association in revitalizing and expanding tourism across all sectors. The Mississippi Tourism Association benefits greatly from the commitment and expertise of our volunteer leaders, whose contributions are essential to our ongoing success and the future of tourism in our state. With this incredible team, we are well-positioned to drive our organization and Mississippi tourism forward.”
