MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2019 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Hopson

Senate Resolution 7

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO MISSISSIPPI TOURISM AND THE OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE OF BILL SERATT UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VICKSBURG CONVENTION AND TOURISM BUREAU.

     WHEREAS, Bill Seratt, Executive Director of Visit Vicksburg, announced his retirement for June 30, 2019, after over 12 years as the Director of the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau (VCVB); and

     WHEREAS, Bill Seratt started at Visit Vicksburg on April 20, 2007, after serving as the Executive Director of the Greenville/Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau; and

     WHEREAS, Bill served and chaired on many boards, including the Mississippi Tourism Association, Mississippi Delta Tourism Association, Southeast Tourism Society, Great River Road Parkway Commission, Mississippi Blues Commission and the Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission.  His tenure at the bureau has seen a 30% increase in hospitality sales tax revenue; and

     WHEREAS, "He will be hard to replace," said Willie Glasper, a past Chairman of the VCVB Board.  "Bill has been productive for the city, and has had great productive associates who have brought a lot of success for the board and for the city"; and

     WHEREAS, "I have been totally engaged in marketing this river city and I am going to miss it professionally, although I will continue doing it every day of my life," Bill said, adding he will be staying in Vicksburg; and

     WHEREAS, we pay tribute to a most public-spirited citizen of Mississippi whose enormous civic energy has enhanced the culture of his community and the State of Mississippi:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize the contributions to Mississippi tourism and the outstanding public service of Bill Seratt upon the occasion of his retirement as Executive Director of the Vicksburg Convention and Tourism Bureau and extend to Bill the best wishes of the Mississippi Senate in his future endeavors.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Bill Seratt, forwarded to the Board of Directors of the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.