
The Mississippi Tourism Association (MTA), the state’s voice of tourism for over 35 years, is pleased to announce its elected board of officers for 2025-2026. Visit Oxford’s Executive Director, Kinney Ferris, began serving as the state association’s secretary/treasurer as of July 1.
The MTA Executive Board also includes the following members:
- Laura Beth Strickland, Executive Director – Visit Vicksburg: MTA President
- Kurt Allen, President & CEO – Mississippi Aquarium: President Elect
- Paige Hunt, Director of Tourism – Visit Starkville: Vice President
- Dr. Rickey Thigpen, President & CEO – Visit Jackson: Past President
President Laura Beth Strickland said, “Mississippi tourism plays a vital role in driving the state’s economy, contributing significantly to job creation, local businesses, and overall economic development. I am excited and honored to serve as this year’s president of Mississippi Tourism Association as we work to enhance the guest experience through our workforce development programs and celebrate Mississippi’s distinctive blend of Southern hospitality, rich history, and vibrant culture. The goal is to foster innovation and collaboration across all sectors of the industry—from hotels and restaurants to entertainment and local attractions—ensuring that visitors enjoy a memorable, seamless experience. The tourism industry is expected to continue its positive impact, generating billions in revenue and supporting thousands of jobs across hospitality, retail, and service sectors. From major attractions to small, locally owned businesses, every part of the tourism ecosystem benefits from the influx of visitors. Leading the hospitality industry in Mississippi is an incredible responsibility and opportunity to shape the future of tourism and service excellence in the state. I am looking forward to working together to strengthen Mississippi’s position as a competitive destination in the national and global travel markets as well as support destinations that people not only want to visit but also will choose to live.”

Kinney Ferris is the Executive Director of Visit Oxford, a position she has held since November 2019, after serving in various roles within the organization since 2009. A graduate of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) with a degree in Hospitality Management, Ferris began her career in the events industry in her hometown of Tupelo.
As Executive Director, Ferris has focused on implementing an outcome-driven approach to marketing Oxford as a premier destination in the Southeast. Under her leadership, Visit Oxford has earned numerous prestigious awards, including the 2022 Tourism Office of the Year by the Southeast Tourism Society—the first regional award in the organization’s history. Visit Oxford was also recognized as the Tourism Office of the Year by the Mississippi Tourism Association in both 2022 and 2023.
In addition to these honors, Ferris and her team have garnered several accolades from Mississippi Tourism Association, including the Best Social Media Presence award in 2021 and a Partnerships award for launching the Visit the Cities of the SEC initiative with Starkville in 2022. Other recent accomplishments include multiple 2024 awards, such as the Bronze HSMAI Adrian Award for Best of Advertising – Brand Campaign, Best CVB from Convention South Readers’ Choice, Best Marketing Award from the Southeast Tourism Society, Best Digital Media Award from the Mississippi Tourism Association, and the Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism Award from Sports Destination Management. Oxford was also named Best Small College Town by USA Today in 2024. Ferris was honored with the Mississippi Tourism Association’s Member of the Year Award in 2024.
Under Ferris’ leadership, Visit Oxford has seen impressive growth, including a 41.5% increase in its budget. Ferris remains dedicated to enhancing Oxford’s reputation as a vibrant and thriving community while driving economic growth through tourism.
“Tourism continues to be a cornerstone of Mississippi’s economy, generating billions in revenue and driving opportunity across every region of our state,” said Danielle Morgan, Executive Director of the Mississippi Tourism Association. “This progress is the result of tireless work by our tourism professionals and the shared commitment of state and local leaders who recognize the value of investing in our industry. As we enter a new year, we are proud to welcome a dynamic slate of leaders who bring energy, insight, and a deep understanding of both the opportunities and challenges ahead. Their guidance will help us strengthen our industry, support our members, and build a more connected and resilient tourism economy. The continued dedication of our volunteer leadership is vital to our mission, and with this outstanding team in place, MTA is poised for another impactful year of growth and collaboration.”
In addition to executive board leadership, the MTA Board of Directors is comprised of three members from five regions throughout the state, as well as three at-large positions.
The voice of tourism, the Mississippi Tourism Association is a membership organization whose mission is to unite all sectors of the tourism industry through advocacy, promotion, and education. MTA’s vision is to transform Mississippi’s economy through increased visitor spending and overall travel industry growth. For more than 30 years, MTA has led the Mississippi’s tourism education and advocacy efforts. Membership and organization details can be found at www.mstourism.com.
