The Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce the selection of RICHARD FORESTER as Executive Director.

Mr. Forester brings over 19 years CVB leadership experience with 10 years as the director of the Bryan/College Station, TX Chamber of Commerce and 7 years as President of the Topeka Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Topeka, Inc).  Prior to taking the helm of these bureaus, he was the director of convention sales and service for the Longview CVB in Texas and he has 26 years experience in radio and television.

Richard Forester is looking forward to relocating to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  “My greatest expectation is the opportunity to participate in creating a community vision for what we want this destination to be and then working cooperatively with the entire community to achieve that vision,” stated Mr. Forester.

“The Commission was really looking for someone with a strong background in Convention & Visitor Bureau leadership but also an understanding of the conventions market to help bring more meetings to the Mississippi Gulf Coast as more meeting spaces becomes available” said Beverly Martin, Interim Director of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau.  “We believe we found these qualities in Richard Forester.”

Mr. Forester will take up the post as Executive Director May 15, 2008.  He can be reached by phone at 228-896-6699.