Hattiesburg economy boosted by Miss Hospitality Pageant | News

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM)- Hospitality will be the name of the game this weekend for Hattiesburg businesses.

With hundreds of people coming from all around Mississippi to attend the Miss Hospitality Pageant, Hub City vendors are sure to get a surge in business, according to Executive Director of the Hattiesburg Tourism Commission, Rick Taylor.

Taylor says the pageant has a great economic impact on the city. Taylor added the pageant's preliminary starts Friday evening at the Saenger, so he hopes family and friends of the contestants come to the downtown area early to shop, eat and support the contestants.

"Along with that, of course, is some tremendous economic impact for Hattiesburg. During the pageant week, the pageant brings in over $450,000 to our local economy. It is something certainly in the middle of the summer, we are happy to have, glad to have here. Of course, we are glad to have our visitors in the city," said Taylor.

Taylor says the city isn't the only one who will benefit from the pageant. One lucky young lady will walk away with over $100,000 in scholarships and prices.

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