History
Established in 1949, under Governor Fielding Wright and the Mississippi Legislature, the Mississippi Miss Hospitality Competition is celebrating 75 years in 2024. Throughout this time, the program has championed the state’s tourism and economic development sectors while supporting Mississippi’s best and brightest young women through a robust scholarship program.
Designed for ladies ages 18 to 24, the program continues the tradition of beauty and grace while celebrating intelligent and sincere qualities of the modern woman. Local contestants serve a full year as their community’s spokesperson, promoting visitation and development in their hometowns. Contestants leave the program with lifelong friendships, communication and interview skills, confidence in public speaking, and a better understanding of their home state.
The young lady crowned the state’s Miss Hospitality serves as the official goodwill ambassador for Mississippi, traveling regionally and nationally to promote the Hospitality State and share her story. She also enjoys her part of more than $100,000 in prizes and scholarships offered by our program.
Mississippi Miss Hospitality is presented by VisitHATTIESBURG, the City of Hattiesburg, Mississippi Development Authority, Forrest General Hospital, The University of Southern Mississippi, and the Historic Saenger Theater.
Mission
The mission of the Mississippi Miss Hospitality Competition is to identify a young woman between the ages of 18 and 24 to become the Goodwill Ambassador for economic development and tourism in the state, promoting Mississippi statewide, regionally, and on a national level.