Jackson's Tourism Community Gathers for 33rd Annual Hometown Hero and S.U.M.I.T.T. Awards During National Travel and Tourism Week

The Capri Theatre in Fondren was filled with the energy of Jackson's tourism community Thursday as Visit Jackson hosted its 33rd annual Hometown Hero and S.U.M.I.T.T. Awards ceremony. The daytime event, held during National Travel and Tourism Week, brought together industry leaders, partners, and supporters to celebrate the restaurants, hotels, events, and individuals who have made an outsized impact on Jackson's identity as a travel destination.

See the Winners Here

Comedian Rita Brent kept the crowd entertained throughout the program, with Visit Jackson President & CEO Dr. Rickey Thigpen setting the tone with opening remarks that reflected on the organization's decades-long commitment to recognizing excellence across the tourism industry.

The timing was fitting. Visit Jackson is marking National Travel and Tourism Week under the theme Postmarked Jackson, MS: Where the American Story Lives, a nod to the city's deep roots in the narratives that have shaped the nation, from the Civil Rights Movement to its enduring contributions to music, literature, and culinary culture. The Hometown Hero and S.U.M.I.T.T. Awards ceremony, now in its 33rd year, put faces to that story, honoring the people and organizations actively writing the next chapter.

"This room has always reminded me of why I love this work," said Dr. Thigpen. "Collective ambition isn't just a phrase I use; it's what I see happening in Jackson every single day. The honorees we recognize tonight are the reason travelers leave this city wanting to come back. They are the soul behind the City With Soul."