The Vicksburg Convention Center hosts a wide range of events, attracting out-of-town guests and residents alike, and a new manager has been charged with drawing those people and events to the convention center.

“My ultimate goal is to get people walking through the convention center doors,” said Elyce Curry, who began her new position as VCC sales and marketing manager June 6.

Curry, who has more than 11 years of sales, tourism and management experience, most recently served as a membership recruitment and services coordinator at the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce, a position that she said should help her easily adjust to her newest job title.

“It’s a national progression from the chamber, going from economic development back to hospitality management,” Curry said. “There’s a lot of overlap between the two, but (the VCC) is the bigger picture.”

The key difference between her past jobs, including more than six years with Vicksburg’s Hampton Inn and Suites, will be selling Vicksburg along with a venue, she said.

“You’re competing with so many other great markets,” Curry said. “ But I know Vicksburg and all the amenities it offers, so I’m excited to grab the it by the horns. I look forward to enhancing what is already taking place at the center.”

Though she has only been in her new position a little more than a week, Curry said she is already hard at work making introductions and contacts, re-establishing herself in the world of meeting conventions, where she was a member at previous positions—but this time as a VCC employee.

“It’s just letting people know I’m back,” she said. “A lot of the faces remain the same though, so it should be a smooth transition.”

Coordination with other local businesses and organizations, like the Chamber of Commerce and area hotels, is the other aspect Curry said comprises a large portion of her new position.  She added that for all of her work, her coworkers at the VCC make the events happen.

“I get them in the door, but several others do the true work to make the convention center a success,” she said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what happens.”