NATCHEZ — Though she has a biology degree, the new director of sales for the Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau says her passion is sales.

Vicksburg native Lynsey Smith, 28, started her job at the CVB May 20 and said she is enjoying working to promote Natchez.

“I’ve always been in sales, and when this opportunity came along, it was too good not take,” she said.

Smith said she first learned about the job opening from a posting at the WIN Job Center. She worked in sales and marketing at Crown Health and Rehab for 10 months and worker’s compensation insurance sales previously.

Having not worked in tourism, Smith said she has learned a great deal about the industry so far and has already taken two out-of-town trips on sales calls.

Natchez Tourism Director Connie Taunton said although Smith has not worked in tourism, Taunton said Smith’s sales experience will be key in making her successful at the CVB.

“If you have somebody that can sell in the health field and insurance … you have a person that can go in and feel comfortable making presentations and feel comfortable meeting people,” Taunton said. “(Smith) has caught on quick and is really doing great.”

Although Smith has lived in Natchez for a year, she says there are disadvantages to not being from Natchez because she does not know everyone yet.

But being from out-of-town also has advantages, too, Smith said. Discovering Natchez, she said, has given her an enthusiasm she used to promote the city.

“Maybe when you’ve lived in (Natchez) for a long time, things aren’t as exciting to you as they are to me,” Smith said.

Taunton said she thinks Smith’s fresh perspective on Natchez will benefit the city.

“She is a fresh pair of eyes on the tourism industry,” Taunton said.

Smith is headed to the Mississippi Gulf Coast Monday with the Adams County of Board of Supervisors for the Mississippi Association of Supervisors’ Conference in an attempt to secure the conference for Natchez in 2016.

Promoting Natchez’s tricentennial has been at the top of Smith’s agenda.

“I’ve made numerous calls for 2016,” she said. “We’ve really been pushing the tricentennial to get people here for 2016.”