DHA 2025 Annual Meeting

The Downtown Hattiesburg Association (DHA) will host its 2025 Annual Meeting on Wednesday, March 26, at 11:30 a.m. at the Historic Hattiesburg Train Depot, 308 Newman Street. This year’s event will celebrate downtown’s momentum and future growth, featuring a keynote address from Randy Wilson, a nationally recognized architect and Main Street design expert.

Wilson, founder of Community Design Solutions, has worked with more than 500 Main Street communities nationwide, helping revitalize historic downtowns through creative design solutions. He also serves as the consulting architect for the Mississippi Main Street Association. At this year’s meeting, Wilson will share strategies for leveraging placemaking, economic growth, and storytelling to attract investment and strengthen downtowns, as well as provide updates on the Downtown Hattiesburg Roadmap, a strategic plan guiding sustainable development and business retention.

Wilson’s keynote, "The Power of Remembrance and Pursuit of Excellence," will emphasize the importance of honoring a community’s progress while strategically shaping its future. He will also highlight the Downtown Hattiesburg Roadmap, co-developed with key Main Street leaders in fall 2024. This strategic guide will help DHA attract new businesses, enhance public spaces, and position downtown for long-term economic success.

DHA will also recognize outstanding contributions to downtown through the DHA Annual Awards, including honoring Andrea Saffle, who served as DHA’s executive director for ten years before retiring in December 2024. Attendees will also hear from DHA’s newly named executive director, Emily Gallaspy, who begins her role in early March 2025.

Host or Publisher Downtown Hattiesburg Association