Vicksburg Convention Center executive director Troy Thorn said Wednesday he is beginning what he calls an aggressive marketing campaign to bring more conventions and events to the city.

“We plan to make Vicksburg the must-see, must-stop destination for the South,” he told the center’s advisory board. He said he has assigned marketing areas to members of the convention center staff to address sporting events, consumer shows and conventions, with emphasis on conventions — some as long as 36 months in advance.

He said later the regional concept is based on a theory that companies in such cities as Dallas, Atlanta and New Orleans have offices in several states.

The more outside conventions that come to Vicksburg, Thorn said, more money is spent here and the less the city will have to spend supporting the convention center.

The bulk of the convention center’s budget comes from a 2 percent city tax on hotel rooms. The city also provides a $150,000 supplement.

In other action, the board:

• Approved the appointment of Angela Weathersby as chairman of the food service/lodging committee.