MEETING & CONVENTION
INCENTIVE PROGRAM GUIDELINES Working together to build a stronger Mississippi Tourism Product
1. The Incentive Program will apply to recruiting new meeting and convention business to Mississippi as specified by: A. Has never met in Mississippi. B. Has not met in Mississippi in ten years. C. Meeting must be in the bid stage when incentive program is requested; no contracts signed to date.
2. Groups representing an inappropriate message or negative image for the State of Mississippi will not be considered. Applications will be considered by the following criteria and final approval made by the Director of Tourism.
A.
Room nights
B.
Attendance
C.
Economic impact for the community/state
D.
Prestige of group; image value for the State of Mississippi
3. The Incentive Program cannot be used in conjunction with another sponsored activity determined or required by the bidding organization. Organizations that require State sponsored events during the conference, i.e.: Travel South; do not qualify for incentive program funds. Funds may only be appropriated for meeting or convention transportation, production, program, or promotional expenses.
4. Requests for incentive program funds must be made in writing to the Director of Tourism Development, Mississippi Development Authority, at least one full fiscal year prior to the actual meeting date in Mississippi. Approval of funding will be made by letter to the requesting party within 30 days of receipt of request. This does not guarantee final payment until all documentation is complete.
5. Incentive Program funding will be made available at the conclusion of the meeting with submission of an attendance and room night report, verified by the hotel documentation. Funds are payable only to the organization or association that signed the meeting contract. The State of Mississippi will remit funds within 30 days of receipt of the final document and invoice.
6. Funding levels will be based on the following criteria:
1,500 room nights = $2,500
2,500 room nights = $5,000
4,500 room nights = $10,000 (minimum of 2,500 delegates required)
A substantial decrease in room nights from what was previously submitted at the time of the funding request will result in a decrease to the next lower level of funding. Funding level remains the same with an increase in room nights.
7. The Mississippi Development Authority will be held harmless should funding be cut by mandated order of the State of Mississippi.
