Brochure Policy
Working together to build a stronger Mississippi Tourism Product

Mississippi Welcome Centers function as an extension of the warmth and hospitality of Mississippians to visitors by providing them with information and services designed to promote "travel-spending" in our state. According to the Federal Aid Highway Program Manual, Volume 6, Chapter 2, Section 5, Subsection 1, Welcome Centers/Information Centers are for the purpose of providing specific information to the motorists as to services, places of interest within the state, and such information the state may consider desirable. Because the Centers play such a prominent role in providing travelers with an impression of Mississippi, all printed promotional brochures scheduled for display and distribution must be approved before they are place in the Centers.

I. Solicitation Policy

Solicitation of any kind, for any purpose, is strictly prohibited including the distribution or dissemination of literature and materials, except as provided for in Section H below. This restriction is pursuant to the statutory authority to advertise and publicize only the tourist attractions, natural resources, industry, history and economic development of the state as set forth in the Federal Aid Highway Program Manual.

II. Publications Distribution Policy

Publication Distribution allows persons or groups to display tourist promotional brochures at the Welcome Centers on space availability.
Persons or groups desiring to have a travel publication distributed in the Mississippi Welcome Centers should make a written request with thirteen (13) finished sample copies of the publication to:

Tonya Neely, Bureau Manager
Mississippi Development Authority
Welcome Centers
P. 0. Box 849
Jackson, MS 39205-0849

If a publication is approved for placement in the Centers, a list of the Centers with their addresses, and a recommended quantity for each Center will be sent to you. The brochures should be sent directly to each Center according to these quantity requirements. The quantity enclosed should be listed on both the outside and inside of the package.

Brochure approval must be renewed every two years and whenever printing change such as price and/or content occur. No brochure will be placed in Welcome Centers without prior approval.

Category I

First priority for display and distribution will be given to brochures describing primary travel attractions, sight seeing tours, and events such as pilgrimages. Also included in this category are tourist publications published by Convention and Visitors Bureaus, Chambers of Commerce, municipalities, local associations, and those publications describing industries of Mississippi, such as agriculture, commodities, textiles, etc. Other priority publications include those produced by historical and recreational organizations and those produced by agencies of the State of Mississippi that are travel related.

Category II

Secondary space priority will be given to primary travel serving commercial establishments such as lodging properties and restaurants.

Category III

Limited additional information on Mississippi may be placed at the Centers if it has been determined that it will be of benefit to the staff in answering inquiries from visitors concerning tourism, and that it is an aid in promoting travel spending.

I. Criteria for Selection
The following criteria shall apply in the selection of publications to be distributed:

1. Information must promote tourism and furnish pertinent information to visitors about Mississippi points of interest.

2. Format: Size of brochure should measure nine (9) inches in height and four (4) inches in width, vertical format, with the name and message on top of the brochure. The paper should be of sufficient weight, which stands in the rack without bending; discount coupons should be at least sixty-five (65) pound cover weight paper and the brochure should be at least sixty-five (65) pound text weight.

3. Brochures should be professionally typeset, error free, and should contain proper English usage.

4. Coupons on brochures, which quote special lodging rates, must have a professionally printed or stamped expiration date and rate. If the discount is a percentage or dollar amount off, the regular rate that this discount applies to should be printed on the coupon. This will allow the visitor to know what the rate is after the discount is applied.

5. Coupons must state any and all restrictions that may apply, such as a certain number of people per room, number of beds per room, floor level of rooms, etc. If the coupon is not good for advanced reservations it must state this on the coupon as well. Please note that once a coupon is approved, that coupon will be available to the public until the date of expiration. This coupon will never be pulled from the racks because of increased occupancy rates, etc. Once a coupon is approved, it will be available except when the property is booked.

6. A publication of a Mississippi property should not have an out-of-state heading. A brochure can contain no more than five (5) percent out- of -state information. Depending on demand for information, the five (5) percent limitation may be waived at the discretion of the Mississippi Development Authority.

II. Excluded publications
Even if a publication meets the minimum criteria for selection as set forth, it will be ineligible for display or distribution if:

1. The publication is political or promotes religious beliefs in nature and content.

2. The publication is devoted exclusively to the advertisement of real estate.

3. The publication represents a property, which has changed names since the publication was originally printed and approve.

4. The publication is a coupon with a special rate or discount but has no expiration date.

5. The publication promotes a time-share or membership establishment, which does not rent to the traveling public or offers a gift in exchange for attendance at a sales presentation, or discount.

6. The publication does not advertise and publicize tourist attractions, natural resources, industry, history, and quality of life within Mississippi.