Commercial real estate broker and developer Shirley Waring was named to the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau as Warren County’s District 3 representative.

The appointment ensures the tourism promotion panel will have 11 members when it meets July 23, its first full table of appointees since 2006.

Appointed by District 3 Supervisor Charles Selmon, Waring heads up the Vicksburg Blues Society and Vicksburg Heritage League. She succeeds Renay Jenkins, who left the board in March. Waring was also considered for a jointly appointed spot on the board earlier this year.

Waring said her initial focus will be promoting entertainment in the city, citing the two groups she leads as driving forces for spreading the influence of the blues in Vicksburg. A New Year’s Eve party was put on last year by the VBS. The VHL assisted in promoting the Alcorn State University Jazz Festival in April. 

“I want to get them to market the music scene in Vicksburg,” Waring said. “Now, we have something viable. The restaurants, the clubs make it a complete weekend for people.”

Waring’s realty corporation is the listed owner of Delta Court LLC, which owns the former post office branch on Crawford Street. Redevelopment of the site has been in the works since its purchase of the property in 2005.

Revenue estimates for 2009 anticipate the VCVB will have about $1.2 million to spend, with a growing amount on advertising. Most notable among ad buys this year involve four television spots during the Miss Mississippi Pageant in Vicksburg next week and a full-color guide highlighting the area’s outdoor leisure activities available at the Lower Mississippi River Program Office on Washington Street and the Mississippi State Welcome Center.

The VCVB budget is funded by a 1 percent tax on rooms rented at area hotels and motels, as well as food and beverages sold at local restaurants and bars. Five board members are appointed by the City of Vicksburg and five by Warren County supervisors, with one joint appointment. Bill Seratt serves as executive director.

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Contact Danny Barrett Jr. at dbarrett@vicksburgpost.com