For the past 11 years, Mary Allyn Hedges has helped turn Oxford into a thriving tourism destination. Now, she will have her chance to represent Mississippi to the rest of the region. Hedges was elected to a two-year term on the board of the Southeast Tourism Society (STS).

Founded in 1983, the STS promotes travel and tourism throughout a 12-state region and is an organization that focuses on education, advocacy, recognition and networking for travel and tourism industry professionals and their respective destinations.

“I am thrilled to be elected to the Southeast Tourism Society board that represents our industry in the southeast,” Hedges told the EAGLE. “STS is a great association that offers programs and educational opportunities to tourism professionals as well as advocating for the travel and tourism industry. I am honored to be elected as one of two representatives from Mississippi and am excited to be a voice for our city and state.”

Hedges will serve on the board through 2021. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Mississippi Tourism Association and the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area Alliance where she is currently the president of the board.

In 2008, Hedges joined Visit Oxford as a tourism coordinator and was named director in 2014.

“The STS Board of Directors are leaders within the travel and tourism industry, who we look to as the visionaries for our organization,” Monica Smith, president and CEO, of Southeast Tourism Society, said. “The Board’s leadership provides valuable insight as STS continues to grow and support the tourism industry, particularly in regards to promoting travel to our 12 member states. Each board member brings a unique skillset or expertise that helps us develop programs to enhance professional development within our industry.”