State Games of Mississippi

Mississippi’s Olympic-Style Amateur Sporting Event

For more than three decades, the State Games of Mississippi has celebrated the spirit of amateur athletics across the state. Often referred to as Mississippi’s version of the Olympics, the Games bring together thousands of athletes, hundreds of volunteers, and a deep sense of community pride each summer. Events range from baseball, basketball, and softball to track and field, archery, cycling, and more — all representing the best of our state’s athletic talent.

I had the honor of working for the State Games for 10 years early in my career, serving in operational, marketing, and media roles. After more than 15 years away, I returned in a new way — using the experience and skills gained through my master’s program to help envision a fundraising event that could extend the State Games’ reach and sustainability for years to come.

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As part of my final portfolio for the University of West Alabama’s Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communications, I created a full strategic plan and branded campaign for a new fundraising event benefiting the State Games: Grillin’ for the Gold — a two-day Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS)-sanctioned cook-off, hosted in downtown Meridian.

This project was built from the ground up to be implemented:

  • Situational Analysis & Target Audience: Defined through regional data, SWOT insights, and community values

  • Goals & Measurable Objectives: Designed to raise $25,000+ and attract 1,000+ attendees, with a scalable sponsorship model

  • Event Planning & Logistics: Full itinerary, floorplan, contest structure, revenue projections, and local business integration

  • Promotional Campaign: Branding, posters, social media graphics, Facebook event strategy, and email blast plan

  • Sponsorship Packet: Tiered partnership levels, vendor forms, signage incentives, and donor engagement strategy

This bold and vibrant poster served as the primary visual identity for “Grillin’ for the Gold,” combining the energy of sports with the rugged style of a competitive BBQ cook-off. The design features a flame-inspired color palette and layered textures that reflect both the intensity of the grill and the excitement of athletic competition.

It includes all key event information — date, location, KCBS sanctioning, team entry, and contact info — making it a valuable tool for community distribution in restaurants, gyms, businesses, schools, and civic centers throughout Meridian.

To support the event’s promotional rollout, I designed a series of social media templates optimized for Instagram and Facebook. These included teaser countdowns, sponsor shoutouts, team registration calls-to-action, and community invites.

Each graphic was built with brand consistency, using the “Grillin’ for the Gold” fonts, colors, and logo styling to ensure a unified look across platforms. The tone was enthusiastic and friendly — reflecting the State Games’ core values of community, competition, and celebration.