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Almost every week since January, Natchez has been host to conventions and conferences of all shapes and sizes. It’s been a busy year. Thousands of people have crowded the Natchez Convention Center, from firefighters to soldiers, kindergarten teachers to leaders of our state’s community colleges, we’ve seen them all. And one of the best parts of my job as mayor has been the opportunity to welcome them all to Natchez!

We are blessed to have a Convention Center that stays busy. Opened in 2002, and located in the heart of our historic downtown just steps away from restaurants, shops, historic sites, and our beautiful bluff overlooking the Mighty Mississippi, this state-of-the-art facility has become one of our region’s greatest assets. Every week, visitors are drawn to meetings in our beautiful Natchez. They stay the night. They eat. They shop. They indulge in our history and southern charm and hospitality. You might call our city’s focus on hosting these conferences “Conventional Wisdom”. This means millions of dollars in financial impact to our local economy – JOBS – and big buck$ for Natchez. And it’s about to get even better – and busier!

One of the challenges in having such a great facility with events happening all the time is finding time to renovate it – and we’ve been waiting all year to get started. With a scheduled break in activity during the month of August, that time has finally come, and the first phase of a multi-million-dollar renovation has begun. The changes we are about to witness are going to be grand to say the least!

The first phase of renovation, the largest and most significant, will be completed by fall. The 18,000 square foot exhibit hall, the largest part of the 32,000 square foot facility, is getting a top-to-bottom makeover: fresh paint, new carpet, exquisite trim work and wall coverings will completely elevate the convention experience. Gone will be the flaking paint on the ceiling and cinder block walls. A completely transformed convention space is on its way!

As soon as the exhibit hall is completed, work will begin on phase two – a beautiful renovation of the long hall and entry foyers off Main Street, and a complete restoration of the lower-level convention center bathrooms. Inspired by the great conference spaces of other grand historic locales such as the Homestead in West Virginia and the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama, beautiful architectural details, including arched case openings, elegantly-trimmed doors, wood-grained flooring, and exquisite light fixtures will enhance the interiors of this beautiful facility, sure to make it the most celebrated facility of its kind in Mississippi. Phase three, improvements to technology and audio-visual systems, and further improvements on the second level, will happen next year – and the result will be transformational for convention traffic to Natchez.

Words cannot describe our gratitude to the leadership of local architect Johnny Waycaster, who designed this beautiful facility, a landmark downtown for over twenty years, who is now leading the renovation. We are also indebted to Marjorie Feltus Hawkins of Feltus-Hawkins Designs for her inspired work in developing the design plans for this renovation. We didn’t want our Convention Center to look like any other. We wanted a one-of-a-kind, true to Natchez ambiance, and Marjorie through her brilliance has achieved that. James Johnston, our city’s Director of Community Development, with the support of our Board of Aldermen, has dedicated much time and energy to this effort – and we are doing it all without any increase in taxes.

Last, but certainly not least, we must thank Mr. Warren Reuther and his amazing team at the Natchez Convention Center. They do a superb job in managing this great facility. With the Natchez Grand, our convention hotel right across the street, and renovations now being made to the Civic Center, our City Auditorium, and the soon-to-be-opened River Room at the Historic Natchez Depot on Broadway, the future of Natchez as a convention destination for years to come has never been brighter.

Just like the beautiful views from our highest bluff over the mightiest river, great things are on the horizon. Because Natchez Deserves More.

Dan Gibson is mayor of Natchez.