Reports - Mississippi Renewal

86 | TOURISMtunities to share resources. For example,the J.L. Scott Marine EducationCenter and the Maritime andSeafood Industry Museum may becombined into one facility. The cityof Biloxi and Board of Trustees of theOhr-O’Keefe Museum of Art alsoshould focus on soliciting donationsand grants from around the world tocomplete and promote of the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art. The internationalreputation of artist GeorgeOhr and architect Frank Gehry willgarner international attention to thismuseum’s recovery and renewal efforts.The rebirth of the Ohr-O’KeefeMuseum should be a symbol of Mississippi’scommitment to the arts andculture.■ The Governor’s Office and MDAshould host planning charrettes onthe model of the Mississippi RenewalForum’s design charrette. A similarapproach for taking ideas to actioncan be used to develop strategies forheritage and cultural tourism, for retailbusinesses, and for other sub-sectionsof the tourism economy.■ The state and the Mississippi CoastColiseum Commission should quicklycomplete the Coliseum expansionand remodeling. Demand for meetingspace will increase as casinos converttheir meeting and exhibit space intogaming floors. This should be adjustedas needed based on the results ofa study to test Tier One destinationresort requirements for conventionspace.■ Tourism promotion organizationsshould follow through with the creationof a clearinghouse and onestop-shopto research and apply forgrants, loans, and other support forexisting tourism-based organizations.MDA, the Mississippi Main Street Association,Mississippi Heritage Trust,and the Mississippi Department ofArchives and History are coordinatingthe creation and funding of thisentity.■ The Tourism Promotion Commissionshould develop a new marketingplan and slogan for the MississippiGulf Coast. South Mississippihas never received this amount ofnational and international media attention,and tourism officials quicklyshould develop a marketing themeand brand-building plan to capturethis market. The plans should considerand support the goal to reach Tier