MISSISSIPPI STATE -- An upcoming conference in Louisiana will provide a chance for participants from rural Mississippi and Louisiana to learn about unique tourism options.

The Miss-Lou Regional Tourism Summit will be Aug. 9-11 in Oak Grove, La., which is located in the northeast corner of the state, near the Mississippi River.

Rachael Carter, a community-instituted planning specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said the Miss-Lou Rural Tourism Association is working hard to bring together those involved in tourism and community and economic development in rural Mississippi and Louisiana.

“Each session is designed to offer tools that can be used as regional strategies with examples of local success stories,” Carter said. “Experts in regional tourism development will cover topics such as marketing and branding, historical and cultural tourism strategies, using natural resources, and connecting culinary tourism with fruit and vegetable growers.”

An additional session will address catering to tourists in recreational vehicles, promoting local venues and event management. The group will tour a cotton museum and Poverty Point, a prehistoric attraction in the area.

“The last day is going to be an interactive forum, which anyone interested in promoting rural tourism as a community and economic development tool in the Miss-Lou region should consider attending,” Carter said.

Visit http://srdc.msstate.edu/misslou to learn more about the summit and for a registration form and lodging information. The cost of registration is $150 for the entire summit or $75 for one day only.

Registration forms and payment should be mailed to the Miss-Lou Tourism Association, P.O. Box 2180, Natchez, MS 39121. Participants can contact Carter at (662) 325-1793 or carter@agecon.msstate.edu with questions.