VisitHATTIESBURG is excited to share important leadership updates that reflect the organization’s continued growth and commitment to positioning the city as one of the South’s premier destinations. Kristen Brock, a longtime tourism leader, has been promoted to Vice President of Marketing & Programs, while Maddie Englese has been elevated to Marketing Director.
Visit Hattiesburg is pleased to announce the promotion of respected tourism leader Kristen Brock to Vice President of Marketing & Programs. Since returning to the organization in 2018, Brock has been a driving force behind high-impact tourism programs, sports tourism growth, and award-winning public art initiatives that have strengthened Hattiesburg’s position as one of the south’s leading visitor destinations.
“The Tourism Commission is proud to have Kristen in this important leadership position,” said Frank James, Hattiesburg Tourism Commission Chairperson. “Her proven track record, vision, and commitment to excellence are instrumental in ensuring our city’s continued growth as a premier destination for visitors from across the region and beyond.”
Over the past five years, Hattiesburg has achieved record-breaking tourism milestones while advancing its vision of becoming a year-round outdoor destination. Visitor spending grew by 34% over the past five years — from $433 million in 2019 to $582 million in 2023 — with much of that increase driven by the recreation sector. In 2023 alone, tourism generated $881 million in total economic impact for the Hattiesburg area.
As Director of Programs & Development, Brock was a significant contributor to this momentum, helping to secure high-profile sports tournaments, numerous conventions, expanding the city’s award-winning public art program on the path to becoming the “City of 100 Murals,” and leading popular community initiatives like National Travel & Tourism Week and Hattiesburg’s Restaurant Week. Her ability to collaborate with hotels, restaurants, event venues, and other hospitality partners has been instrumental in developing and enhancing programs that benefit the local economy and boost visitation.
“Over many years of service, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing Hattiesburg’s remarkable growth. Our city’s tourism trajectory is stronger than ever thanks to the commitment of our leadership and collaborations throughout the community,” said Brock. "I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to build on this momentum and look forward to continuing to work alongside partners across the city and state to share Hattiesburg’s story.”
Brock’s tourism career spans more than 20 years, including previous service as Sales Manager for both Visit Hattiesburg and the Hattiesburg Convention Commission, and as Advertising Director for HubCitySPOKES when she took a two-year hiatus from the commission in 2016–2018 before rejoining Visit Hattiesburg under the leadership of Marlo Dorsey. Since then, she has strengthened Hattiesburg’s numerous industry relationships and delivered measurable results in partnership with the city’s tourism and business community.
“Kristen has been an integral part of our leadership team for many years, and her promotion reflects both her exceptional contributions and her ability to lead a talented team that drives measurable tourism growth in Hattiesburg,” said Marlo Dorsey, CEO of Visit Hattiesburg. “Guided by the leadership of the Tourism Commission, our dedicated staff, and numerous community partners, Hattiesburg has reached record-breaking milestones and strengthened its position as one of the Southeast’s most dynamic destinations. We are grateful for the many talents Kristen brings that have played a key role in our city’s success.”
Her professional service includes membership on the Mississippi Society of Association Executives Executive Board (2024–2027), serving as Silent Auction Chair for the Mississippi Tourism Association Governor’s Conference on Tourism (2023), and participation on the Dixie Boys Baseball World Series Planning Committee through 2025. Locally, she serves on the Downtown Hattiesburg Association’s Economic Vitality Committee and is Past-President of Sales and Marketing Professionals. She is also a graduate of the Area Development Partnership’s Leadership Pinebelt, completed Destinations International’s Sales Academy I and II, and earned a Mastery Certificate in Excellence in Tourism Leadership through Mississippi State University in 2023.
A Mississippi Gulf Coast native, Brock has called Hattiesburg home for 25 years. She and her husband, Paul, have three sons — Colin, Noah, and Andrew — and are active in the community they proudly call home.
With the organization’s transition, Maddie Englese has been promoted to Marketing Director. Previously serving as Communications Manager, Englese is a California native and graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi. She will execute Visit Hattiesburg’s media campaigns, manage visual content development, and ensure brand-aligned storytelling and advertising. This position plays a key role in delivering campaigns that elevate Hattiesburg as a premier destination.
“Maddie has brought a significant set of skills and value to our team at Visit Hattiesburg, and she is a joy to work alongside,” said Dorsey. “Content creation and media relations are critical areas for destinations to have strong professionals enlisted, and we are in highly capable care with Maddie focusing her talents here for us.”
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About Visit Hattiesburg
Visit Hattiesburg is the official destination marketing management organization for Hattiesburg, Mississippi, committed to growing the local economy through tourism marketing, public programming, and community development. The organization promotes Hattiesburg as a premier leisure, convention, and sports destination, supporting the city’s hospitality industry and enhancing the visitor experience.
