Alex Thomas

About Alex Thomas

Alex Thomas is a Mississippi native that has worked diligently in the tourism industry for over 25 years. He is the new Senior Events Manager for Access. For 50+ Years, Access has thrived as the industry leader by doing things differently. Services include Destination Updates, Local Expertise, Creative Development, Strategic Partnerships, National Planning Teams, Production, Planning and Logistics, Transportation, Onsite Event Execution, Real Time Solutions, and a Single Contract Experience. Alex is the former Product Development Manager for Visit Galveston where he was charged with developing and promoting the cultural and heritage attributes of Galveston Island. Thomas was also the former CEO of Blue South Entertainment, LLC,(BSE) an entertainment agency providing professional services through talent booking, artist management, consulting and event planning. He served as the Music Development Program Director for the MS Development Authority, Division of Tourism, where his focus was to promote the beauty of Mississippi’s history and distinctive culture of musical genres through driving and walking trails. The position oversaw the development of the Mississippi Blues Trail and Country Music Trail, two award winning projects designed to highlight musical heritage throughout the Magnolia state. Thomas is also accountable for the development and production of the Yazoo Music Festival an effort of the Yazoo County CVB, as well as the Jackson Rhythm and Blues Festival presented by Visit Jackson. He has served on the Texas Independence Trail Board of Directors, Jackson Convention Complex Board of Commissioners, National Trust for Historic Preservation Board of Advisors, MS Main Street Association Board, Executive Board for the MS Humanities Council and others. Accomplishments include Leadership Mississippi 2015 Graduate, 2011/2012 Who’s Who in Black Mississippi, Southeast Tourism Society’s 2012 Forty for the Future, 2010 Jackson Tourism Visionary Award, 2009 MS Tourism Association’s Excellence in Tourism Award, 2007 MS Business Journal’s Top 40 under 40 Business Professional, 2003 Southern Living Rising Star Award, and 2002 Recipient of Jackson Hometown Hero \"Shining Example\" Award, along with much more. Alex is a resolute tourism professional who received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mass Communications from the University of Southern Mississippi, a Travel Marketing Professional Certification (TMP) from the Southeastern Tourism Society Marketing College in Dahlonega, GA, and a Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) for Galveston.

Experience

1. Senior Events Manager

   Access

   Nov 2023 — Present · Houston, TX, US

   For 50+ years, Access has thrived as the industry leader by doing things differently. Thinking different. Selling different. Operating different. We\'re different, that\'s what makes the difference.

Education

• The University of Southern Mississippi

  Bachelor of Arts - BA

  1992 — 1997