Page 111 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2025

presented by South Mississippi Living magazine
Judy Young, CDME CEO
Judy Young brings more than four decades of experience in tourism, marketing, economic development, and destination management
to her role as Chief Executive Officer of Coastal Mississippi. Her career began in travel consulting and attractions before advancing into executive leadership roles in Texas, where she gained extensive expertise in Convention and Visitors Bureaus, convention centers, sports and film commissions, and product development.
For 24 years, Judy served as Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of the New Braunfels Convention and Visitors Bureau. She also served on the board of directors for the Texas Tourism Industry Association—the largest tourism association in the United States— and was elected by 32 Texas counties to the Governor’s Tourism Advisory Council, ultimately serving as Chair. Her leadership guided recovery efforts following two catastrophic floods and two pandemics, while building a thriving film and sports commission.
Judy’s professional credentials include Certified Travel Consultant and Destination Specialist designations, a Certificate in Organizational Leadership from the University of San
Diego and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and multiple designations from the International Association of Travel Agents. In 2012, she earned the tourism industry’s highest individual educational honor—Destination International’s Certified Destination Management Executive credential, awarded in partnership with Purdue University.
Recognized as both a consensus builder and thought leader, Judy was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Coastal Mississippi Convention and Visitors Bureau in February 2022. Since then, she has worked closely with elected officials, community leaders, stakeholders, and the diverse tourism assets that define Mississippi’s 62 miles of scenic shoreline—championing the
people, places, and experiences that make Coastal Mississippi a world-class destination.
COASTAL MISSISSIPPI
2350 Beach Blvd., Ste.A, Biloxi 228.896.6699 www.coastalmississippi.com Socials @SEECOASTALMS
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