Good Grit Porch Party X Visit Mississippi
Case Study
The Challenge
How do you showcase a city’s soul in just one evening?
Visit Mississippi and Visit Jackson partnered with Good Grit Magazine to host an immersive brand experience that would leave a lasting impression on tastemakers, travelers, and storytellers. The goal: position Jackson as a must-visit destination by spotlighting its cultural heartbeat through food, music, and meaningful connection. We needed to design an experience that felt as personal as a front porch conversation and had the power to spark real travel planning and digital buzz.
The Strategy
Good Grit brought the pages of the magazine to life by designing a one-night-only experiential event that channeled the spirit of Jackson, Mississippi. Every element was curated to reflect the local flavor and foster emotional connection—from Southern chefs and mixologists to musicians, makers, and community leaders. The event served as both a live brand showcase and a content engine, driving digital engagement long after the final toast.
We didn’t just plan a party—we created a story worth sharing.
The Execution
From curated bites to conversation-rich porch talks, every moment of the event reflected Mississippi’s hospitality and cultural depth:
- Local Cuisine: Small plates and elevated bites from The Manship
- Signature Sips: Craft cocktails featuring Cathead Distillery, wines from Levure, and beer from Fertile Ground
- Live Music: An acoustic performance with front-porch intimacy by Kerry Thomas
- Porch Talks: Live conversations with chefs, artists, and storytellers
- Gifting Moment: Guests left with curated take-home items from featured Southern artisans
- Content Capture:
Every detail captured in photography and video for future storytelling
Results
The Visit Mississippi Porch Party was a catalyst. It helped position Jackson and Mississippi as soulful, authentic, and worthy of exploration. By bringing together influential voices and a captivated audience, the experience generated:
- GGM Social Reach: 129,688
- Social Engagement: 10.7% (exceeding industry average)
- Digital Story Views: 16,411
- Influencer Amplification: Social reach and content engagement were further extended through curated influencer attendance
Plus, Mississippi walked away with high-quality photography and video content to support future marketing and tourism efforts.
From porch to platform, the Mississippi Porch Party delivered meaningful visibility:
- Put Visit Mississippi, Visit Jackson, and Cathead Distillery in front of new audiences
- Created long-lasting marketing assets that reflect the city’s soul
- Drove new awareness and travel interest from millennial and Gen X travelers
- Aligned with Good Grit’s values of community, creativity, and culture
Hospitality is a powerful marketing tool—and no one does it quite like the South. With a porch, a playlist, and the right storytellers, we created an unforgettable night that turned guests into fans, and fans into future visitors.
