Meet Your Hattiesburg Sports Tourism Team

Hattiesburg’s sports tourism success is driven by a dedicated team of professionals working behind the scenes to ensure smooth and memorable events. Whether you’re hosting a youth tournament, collegiate competition, or large-scale championship, Hattiesburg’s sports tourism experts are here to provide hands-on support, local connections, and top-tier resources to make your event a success. At the forefront of this team are two key leaders ensuring your event is executed seamlessly.

Kristen Brock – Director of Programs & Development, Visit Hattiesburg

From facility managers and hotel sales directors to event logistics specialists, Visit Hattiesburg collaborates with a wide network of partners to provide top-tier support.

Kristen serves as the primary contact for Visit Hattiesburg’s sports tourism efforts. She works closely with tournament organizers, hotel partners, and city officials to secure venues, assist with room blocks, and ensure a smooth experience for visiting teams and fans. With deep connections in youth sports, universities, and tourism partners, Kristen provides comprehensive event support to elevate sporting events in Hattiesburg.

Betsy Mercier – Director of Hattiesburg Parks & Recreation

Betsy works alongside Visit Hattiesburg as the primary contact for city-owned sports and recreation facilities. She ensures fields, courts, and venues are tournament-ready, collaborating with turf management specialists, lighting experts, and city operations teams to provide the best possible game-day experience. Her expertise in facility management and community programming makes her an essential partner in bringing top-tier sporting events to the city.

Visit Hattiesburg: Your Sports Tourism Partner

Hattiesburg has proudly hosted a variety of high-profile sporting events, bringing athletes and fans from across the region, and we are always eager to assist with more.

Planning a successful sports event involves more than just securing a playing field. Visit Hattiesburg works closely with both public and non-city-owned facilities to ensure event organizers have access to the best venues available. Betsy Mercier and the City of Hattiesburg oversee city-owned fields and recreational facilities, while Visit Hattiesburg partners with university athletic directors and facility managers to assist with securing top-tier collegiate venues such as those at The University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University for tournaments and competitions. Visit Hattiesburg partners with hotel sales directors, local businesses, and city officials to handle all the logistics, including:

Planning a successful sports event involves much more than securing a playing field. Visit Hattiesburg partners with hotel sales directors, local businesses, and city officials to handle all the logistics, including:

  • Room Blocks & RFP Coordination – We work with hotel partners to secure affordable lodging options for teams and assist with RFP bid proposals to ensure competitive pricing.
  • Game Day Operations & Security – Coordinating with city departments and facility managers to ensure seamless traffic flow, on-site security, and smooth event logistics.
  • Food Trucks & Catering – Assisting in securing food vendors, local restaurants, and concessions for athletes, fans, and attendees.
  • Facility Maintenance & Upgrades – Collaborating with turf specialists, lighting experts, and grounds crews to ensure fields, courts, and indoor venues meet high-quality standards.

One Team, Winning Support

For detailed sports planning resources, facility information, and accommodations support, visit www.visithburg.org/sports.

At Visit Hattiesburg, we specialize in sports tourism development, helping event planners bring the best competitions to our city. From securing venue recommendations and accommodations support to game-day logistics and VIP services, our team is just a phone call, text, or email away.

Let Visit Hattiesburg’s sports planning team take your event to the next level. Contact us today to discuss your needs and find out how we can help you host an exceptional sporting experience in the Hub City.