We have been honored over the years for our work to enhance the quality of life in Starkville and Oktibbeha County. These achievements recognize the special place that we all call home, Starkville: Mississippi’s College Town.
Tourism Awards
2025
Visit Starkville 101 Brand Campaign
Tourism Promotion of the Year
The Tourism Promotion Award honors a specific promotional campaign that is innovative and successful in attracting visitors to a destination, attraction, hotel, venue, or event.
2025
Starkville CVB
Best Tourism Association
Awarded by the Mississippi Business Journal
2024
Starkville Dachsund Derby
Large Festival of the Year
MTA Governor’s Conference on Tourism
2023
Paige Hunt
Mississippi Tourism Association Member of the Year
Presented to an outstanding volunteer member who goes above and beyond for the betterment of the organization.
2023
Starkville CVB
Best Overall Digital Media
Awarded to any member using digital media to promote a destination, attraction, property, event or campaign.
2022
King Cotton Crawfish Boil
Small Festival/Event of the Year
Awarded to a unique festival or event that is well attended, attracts a large variety of visitors and is well publicized. This category is for events with 5,000 and fewer in attendance.
2022
Cities of the SEC
Tourism Partnership of the Year
This recognizes effective partnerships among entities within the tourism industry.
2021
Starkville CVB
Research in Action Award
Award to any member showing commitment to data-driven strategies to promote tourism growth
2020
Taco Hop
Small Festival/Event of the Year
Awarded to a unique festival or event that is well attended, attracts a large variety of visitors and is well publicized. This category is for events with 5,000 and fewer in attendance.
2017
Night Market
Small Festival/Event of the Year
Awarded to a unique festival or event that is well attended, attracts a large variety of visitors and is well publicized. This category is for events with 5,000 and fewer in attendance.
2016
Starkville CVB
Tourism Promotion of the Year
Honors a specific promotional campaign that is innovative and successful in attracting visitors to a destination, attraction, hotel, venue or event.
Main Street Awards
2026
Leah Kemp
Sam Kaye Excellence in Design
This award is given to the design professional or firm that exhibits the spirit, compassion, and talent of the man for whom the award is named.
2026
Shop Local Warehouse Sale
Outstanding Retail Promotion
This award honors the Main Street organization that has developed an effective retail promotion in conjunction with downtown retailers.
2026
Castle Properties & The Collective Co.
Outstanding Historic Rehabilitation Project
This award is granted to an individual, business, or municipality that has completed a historic rehabilitation project in the downtown district that continues the use of the building and meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
2026
Kathy Jacobs Design & Marketing
Outstanding Community Education Campaign – Support Starkville Campaign
This award recognizes excellence in a targeted campaign that educates the community on a particular aspect of a Main Street program.
2025
Reed’s of Starkville
Making Main Merry
A Starkville-wide community Christmas decorating day
2025
City of Starkville
How to Plan an Event Guide
The guide leads to multiple events being planned downtown each year
2025
The Guest Room
Promotional – Santa’s Surf Shop & Miracle Under Main
A holiday-themed event that draws thousands of customers to downtown each year
2024
Mississippi Main Street Circle of Excellence
2024
Starkville Pet Mayor Election
Outstanding Creative Fundraising
Outstanding Creative Fundraising
2024
Cowbells to Pain Pails
Outstanding Public Arts Project
2024
Starkville Derby
Outstanding Creative Large Event Hosting over 5,000
2023
Starkville Main Street
Circle of Excellence
Recognized for notable efforts in running efficient local programs and excelling with all state requirements of a designated Main Street program.
2023
Rex Theatre
Outstanding Private Downtown Revitalization Project
Recognition for a program that has undertaken and completed a new development project within the district that improves quality design and has financial success.
2023
George-Mary’s
Outstanding Retail Merchandising
Recognizes a business that excels in creating effective merchandising experience in a retail business downtown.
2022
Cash Cal Fundraiser
Outstanding Creative Fundraising
This award is granted to the downtown organization that has displayed the most creativity and success in securing funds for its downtown program.
2021
The Late Dan Camp
Sam Kaye Excellence in Design
The Sam Kaye Excellence in Design Award is given to the design professional(s) or firm that exhibits the spirit, compassion, and talent of the man for whom the award is named.
2021
Lynn Spruill
Main Street Hero
This award recognizes an outstanding community leader or public figure who has displayed an involved commitment to downtown and his or her Main Street program.
2020
The IDEA Shop
Oustanding Entrepreneurial Endeavor
This award recognizes an innovative business, business leader, or group that has started a new business and/or promoted entrepreneurship and spirit in the downtown district.
2020
Dine Around Downtown
Outstanding Economic Impact Project
This award is granted to an individual, business, or municipality (or partnership of entities) that has undertaken a project within a downtown district that has had a significant and sustainable influence on thel ocal economy.
2018
Starkville Police Dept.
Outstanding Rehabilitation Project
This award is granted to an individual, business, or municipality that has completed a historic rehabilitation project(or phase)that utilizes historic tax credits and continues the use of the building.
2018
Russell Street Corridor
Oustanding Public Improvement Project
This award is given to the municipality orMain Street program that has designed and implemented attractive and sympathetic improvements for its district
2018
Michelle Jones
Main Street Hero
This award recognizes an outstanding community leader or public figure who has displayed an involved commitment to downtown and his or her Main Street program.
2017
Night Market
Outstanding Creative Event
This award recognizes a quality event hosted by a Main Street organization that has demonstrated sustainability and success
2016
Briar Jones
Sam Kaye Excellence in Design
The Sam Kaye Excellence in Design Award is given to the design professional(s) or firm that exhibits the spirit, compassion, and talent of the man for whom the award is named.
2016
Farm to Fork
Outstanding Creative Fundraising
This award is granted to the downtown organization that has displayed the most creativity and success in securing funds for its downtown program.
2016
The Mill in Starkville
Outstanding Economic Impact Project
This award is granted to an individual, business, or municipality (or partnership of entities) that has undertaken a project within a downtown district that has had a significant and sustainable influence on the local economy.
2015
New South Weekends
Best Image or Promotion Branding
This award is granted to a Main Street program with the best marketing and image program in the State.
2014
Renasant Bank
Best New Development Project
This award is granted to an individual or business that has undertaken and completed a new development project within a downtown district.
2014
The Partnership
Best New Wayfinding Signage
This award is granted to the Main Street program with the best wayfinding signage improvement project.
Keep Mississippi Beautiful Awards
2024
Think Green on the Move Recycling Program
Keep Starkville Beautiful
Keep Starkville Beautiful was recognized for its Think Green on the Move Recycling Program, which moves locations throughout the community and stops at the Starkville Community Market each month during the market season.
2022
Get Swept Up!
Starkville Main Street Association
Awarded for maintaining an attractive and beautiful downtown.
