The Greenwood Convention and Visitors Bureau will host free hospitality training for those who interact with tourists or visitors on a regular basis.
Training sessions are open to the public Jan. 22 at the Museum of the Mississippi Delta. There will be two sessions — one at 9:30 a.m. and one at 3 p.m.
“These are the people that a visitor might say, ‘I am in town for the day; what should I do while I am here?’” said Danielle Morgan, executive director of the bureau.
Morgan said those who work in the retail, hotel, personnel or restaurant business are considered front-line employees, or those who interact with visitors often.
The 90-minute event will focus on what activities and attractions Greenwood has to offer and how to create a culture of hospitality, she said.
“You really don’t get a chance to make another first impression,” Morgan said. “You want that impression to be positive because that is what keeps visitors coming back time and time again.”
Darienne Mobley, a national tourism expert, will be the guest speaker.
According to Morgan, she specializes in topics including strategic planning, tourism community assessments and board development.
Mobley also worked with tourism industry associations for both Mississippi and Louisiana.
Morgan said she and the Greenwood CVB Board felt there was “no better expert that understands tourism and also understands Mississippi and what we do here.”
While Mobley is here, she will also work with the board on development and determine its objectives.
Although this is the first year for the visitors bureau to host this training session, the idea has been in the works for a while.
“We are going to see how it goes. It is something that you constantly pursue because there is a lot of turnover in the industry,” Morgan said. “We are hoping this will sort of lay the foundation, and we can maybe do some refresher courses a couple times a year.”
Morgan said she hopes the workshop will be key in the community working together to bring visitors to Greenwood.
“I think it’s just great for me to be able to interact with those front-line employees in one place,” she said. “Just kind of let them know what we do, and let them know that they are important to our mission as well.”
Those interested may email Forrest Hodge at forrest@
visitgreenwood.com.
•Contact Lauren Randall at 581-7239 or lrandall@gwcommonwealth.com.
