NATCHEZ, Miss. -- The annual Alabama-Mississippi-Tennessee Rural Tourism Conference will be in Natchez Oct. 21-23.

This economic development event brings together leaders from smaller communities across the three-state area to learn about opportunities and best practices for drawing more visitors. The conference is open to anyone interested in the rural tourism industry.

Kim Terrell, executive director of DeSoto County Tourism and education chair of the Rural Tourism Conference, said the event is a great value.

“This conference brings top-quality education and speakers to communities both large and small for a fairly low cost and provides networking opportunities to build regional partnerships and share ideas,” Terrell said.

Experts with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, a longtime conference partner, will speak on a wide range of topics, including food tourism, social media and digital marketing.

Registration is $95 until Oct. 4 and $150 after that date. Spouse registration is $40. Hotel Vue is the site of the conference. In addition to educational presentations, activities include a double-decker bus tour of Natchez, Taste of Natchez reception, museum tours and exhibitors’ booths.

Conference information can be found online at https://almstnruraltourism.com.

MSU is an equal opportunity institution. For disability accommodation, please contact Sarah Lindsey Laukhuff at slaukhuff@mmihg.com.