NATCHEZ – The Visit Natchez Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) has retained Lou Hammond & Associates (LH&A) to partner in its regional, national and international public relations initiatives, creating a broader platform in which to more aggressively showcase Natchez as a premiere destination city for visitors worldwide.

The mission of the new partnership will be to leverage and maximize the awareness of Visit Natchez and its multi-faceted tourism partners in promoting the city as a year-round destination with hospitality wrapped around all it has to offer.

LH&A is widely considered to be America’s destination public relations leader.  Founded in 1984 by Lou Rena Hammond, it is independently owned and headquartered in New York, with full-service offices in Charleston, S.C., and Miami.

“From history to architecture, from great food to great outdoor adventures, from great events and annual activities—in addition to a majestic setting high on a bluff overlooking the mighty Mississippi River, we found the internationally-respected firm with the top-notch talent to tell the world of all the great things which makes Natchez a ‘bucket list’ destination for everyone,” CVB Chief Executive Officer Kevin Kirby said.

Hammond said LH&A is proud to represent the historic city of Natchez and looks forward to working with the outstanding team at the CVB to help the city receive the attention it deserves.

“With such a rich history and vibrant culture, Natchez has a great story to tell and we cannot wait to share it with the world,” Hammond said

The announcement coincided with a business trip to Washington, D.C., in which Mayor Larry “Butch” Brown and Kirby had several meetings to continue discussions relative to various projects the city is working on to meet the needs of the community as a world-class city on the eve of celebrating its tricentennial.

Being the oldest continuously-inhabited settlement on the Mississippi River provides deep historical connections with the Spanish, British and French, and meetings are being scheduled with these countries’ embassies to discuss their potential involvement in the tricentennial activities of 2016.