NATCHEZ — For the first time in a decade, the Mississippi Governor’s Conference is in Natchez.

The annual three- day conference begins today, and approximately 200 representatives from the tourism industry, restaurants, hotels, convention and visitors bureau and other stakeholders are expected in Natchez for the conference, hosted by the Mississippi Tourism Association in partnership with the Bed and Breakfast Association of Mississippi.

Visit Natchez Director of Sales Lynsey Smith said the city is excited to host the conference in conjunction with the celebration of the Natchez Tricentennial.

“We have been working with them ever since I started here trying to get the conference back for the tricentennial,” Smith said. “We are really excited.”

The conference is scheduled to include appearances by Gov. Phil Bryant, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and other legislative leaders.

On the agenda are panels and seminars about various aspects of tourism, including marketing, media communications and research, as well as events at various local restaurants and other businesses, including a block party downtown on Monday.

Smith said the conference is a great opportunity for tourism stakeholders to network and learn more about how to grow tourism in their respective areas.

“We all sell the state of Mississippi,” she said. “It’ll be nice for someone in Corinth or Tupelo to be able to experience something in Natchez, and the next time someone asks them, ‘I’m traveling south, what should I do,’ they can say, ‘We did this in Natchez and you have to do it.’”

For more information about the conference, visit mstourism.com.