Local tourism officials see lots of dollar signs when looking at a fall calendar.

Beginning in September and continuing through October, each weekend is full of festivals, conventions or other events in the Miss-Lou. That means the streets will likely be filled with people spending money locally.

Director of the Natchez Convention Center, Walter Tipton, said while local traffic is good, bringing in out-of-town traffic is vital for the town’s economy.

“New dollars coming into our community have a greater benefit than those that originated in the community,” Tipton said. “It’s always better when we can bring in outside dollars.”

Tipton said the 49 convention bookings for 2010 will have a direct $7.1 million economic impact in the community. He said that number is up from the 42 events and $6.9 million economic impact major conventions and meetings had in 2009.

The direct impact looks at lodging expenses, meals and other items people traditionally purchase while attending a meeting or convention.

“Everyone is going to end up buying a tank of gas and something that reminds them of Natchez,” he said. “Those are dollars that are going directly into our economy.”

Tipton said beginning last week with the Banner User Group meeting, the convention center is basically full each weekend until November.

“We are really rounding out the year well,” he said.

Marsha Colson, executive director of Natchez Pilgrimage Tours, said having events back-to-back ultimately helps all of the events.

“When people come in for a weekend or week, they will quickly see that they can’t enjoy everything Natchez has and will come back,” she said.

Fall Pilgrimage begins Oct. 1 and ends Oct. 15, just as The Great Mississippi River Balloon Race is getting ready to lift off. Colson said that scheduling is intentional.

“What we are hoping is people will extend their stay for balloon race or will hear about it and plan to come back for it next year,” she said. “It is beneficial to the community anytime we can attract people or groups of people to the city.”

That’s because those people mean increased business for local restaurants, hoteliers and merchants, Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce President Debbie Hudson said.

“Tourism is our big business,” Hudson said. “People operating a business see the people in town and know that translates into good for them.”

Tipton said even events happening in surrounding areas can positively impact Natchez, so it is important for groups to work together to get the word out.

Festivals like the Jim Bowie Festival in Vidalia Saturday and the Ferriday songwriting workshop in October, means money will be spent in Natchez and in the parish, Tipton said.

“When we see lots of things going on around us, we get excited,” Tipton said. “We are very supportive of anything happening in the area because we understand that it is good for everyone.”

Hudson said she is happy to see a packed schedule of events in the fall, but isn’t surprised.

“Traditionally this time of year is good for us,” she said. “The more things you can have to attract people to Natchez the better everyone is. This just shows what we can do when we all pull together.”