Major Meeting Spaces

At night, the outside of the downtown Jackson Convention Complex gleams with its crystalline glass exterior. It contains a total of 330,000 square feet of flexible space, a 382-seat theater and an outdoor patio overlooking downtown.

The complex boasts a 60,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a 25,000-squarefoot carpeted ballroom, 25 meeting rooms and 33,000 square feet of carpeted pre-function lobby and registration space. There are 500 parking spaces within walking distance of the complex, as well as an additional 2,000 spaces accessible nearby with shuttle transportation.

“There are two hotels, the Westin Jackson and the Hilton Garden Inn, formerly the King Edward Hotel, that are literally just steps away from the convention complex,” said Ratliff.

Another major downtown venue is the Mississippi Fairgrounds with 110,000 square feet of exhibit space in the Trade Mart and three meeting rooms. The fairgrounds covers more than 105 acres, with 63,000 square feet of column-free space that can be divided into three trade halls, connecting to a 26,000-squarefoot arena.

Event planners can make use of a 2,500-square-foot commercial kitchen with a service corridor and a lobby that features two cafes as well as a reception area for smaller events.

After Hours

After the Meeting

Jackson’s funky art scene is on full display just three miles from downtown at the coffee shops, bars and boutiques in the Fondren District. When it’s time to eat, Jackson’s restaurants have it covered whether visitors are in the mood for seafood or authentic soul, Cajun, Caribbean, or Southern food.

“Jackson doesn’t have a true food identify,” said Moore. “What is consistent is good food, especially fresh Gulf seafood. We are just two-and-a-half hours from the Gulf.”

The city features great soul food like fried chicken, sweet yams and collard greens with Tabasco sauce at restaurants like Bully’s. Another restaurant, Elvie’s, serves eggs, meats, seafood and spirits from nearby Two Dog Farms, Homeplace Pastures and Jackson’s Cathead Distillery. Near Elvie’s, there is plenty to do at the shops, breweries and outdoor entertainment courtyard in Belhaven Town Center.

At one time, Jackson was the heart of the American music industry, and the Iron Horse Grill features a museum dedicated to this heritage, including antique instruments and a collection of musical memorabilia. For a true blues juke joint, F. Jones Corner on Farish Street reverberates with live music and favorite eats late at night.

Just like listening to the blues, a trip to Jackson offers a fresh perspective about the wide range of feelings, struggles, beauty, fun and the humor of life.

“Jackson, Mississippi is a city with soul because of the people, places and events that have not only shaped our city and state, but are threaded into the fabric of America,” Moore said.