Convention season kicks off, bringing more tourism to the Coast

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) - Summer’s around the corner, meaning it’s convention season on the Coast.

With conventions come a higher number of people traveling down to the area, and more people here means a boost in tourism.

As tourism increases, so does the Coast’s economy.

Beau Rivage Executive Director of Sales Randy Whiteside says the Coast is a hotspot for conventions because of its convenient location.

Whiteside says, “You come down for a convention... down here we got the baseball stadium right across the street, we’ve got events and venues nearby, lots of restaurants, and lots of things to do on the beach.”

Along with the Beau Rivage, the Mississippi Coast Convention Center hosts more than 20 conventions a year which can each last several days— meaning more people are using Coast’s lodging and restaurants.

Coastal Mississippi found in a study that the Mississippi Coast Convention Center generates more than $30 million for the economy.

Arena Event Manager Katelan King says conventions play a big part in that amount, and it puts a spotlight on the Coast’s hospitality.

King says, “The more people get out to experience our locals and their hospitality and everything the Coast has to offer, the more they go back home and tell their colleagues, their friends, their family.”

Peak conference time is Sunday through Thursday.

For a full list of conventions coming up this summer, head to the Mississippi Coast Coliseum’s website here.

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