THE FIRM THAT PROMOTES the Ridgeland Tourism Commission released a glowing report on the city’s ability last year to draw visitors through its art community, retailers, restaurants and recreation.

“We have been really diversified,” RTC Executive Director Hattie Ruder said. “All the new developments that are coming to Ridgeland are just fabulous, and we’re going to try to keep promoting the positive image of Ridgeland - getting people to stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants and shop in our stores.”

Kim Collins, a spokesman for Bobby King Associates, the agency that represents the RTC, said Ridgeland is a popular destination.

“Trends that continue to thrive in Ridgeland are Southern arts and crafts and shopping,” she said. “Two 2007 developments in Ridgeland were the Crafts Center of the Mississippi Craftsmen’s Guild and the ongoing development of the Renaissance at Colony Park.”

The 20,000-square-foot center near the Natchez Trace Parkway features the works of over 400 artists from 19 states. Renaissance, a mixed-use “lifestyle center” with such companies as P.F. Chang’s Bistro Restaurant, Barnes and Noble, Ethan Allen, Ann Taylor Loft, White House/Black Market, Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano and Hyatt Place Hotel, is scheduled to open March 19.

“Our goals this year will be the same: increase visitation and promote Ridgeland as a destination in central Mississippi,” Ruder said. “We have wonderful new developments here with different kinds of shops, and we will continue to market the Crafts Center, which is a huge attraction.”

THE RTC HAS SPONSORED a variety of events, including KidFest and the PGA Tour’s Viking Classic last year and Major League Soccer preseason games in 2006. The tourism agency is also a member of the three-state Natchez Trace Compact, of which Ruder is president.

KidFest offers pony riding and circus performers and includes Nickelodeon characters. Its attendance in 2007 was over 8,000, Collins said.

“Last year was a record year for visitation on the Trace,” Ruder said. “We are going to do a lot of niche marketing for visitors on the Trace, such as biking and motorcycling. Our multipurpose trail in Ridgeland is really nice. All the things we normally have, we will continue to support.”

And RTC is planning to work with Ridgeland officials on an advertising campaign promoting MONEY magazine’s “Best Places to Live” designation, the USA Olympic Team Tour, ASA National Council Meeting, 18 and Under Southern National Softball, Heatwave Classic Triathlon, Natchez Trace Century Ride and an MLS game.

“We feel we’ve kept that small-town feel that has a lot of artists and art-related businesses here,” Ruder said. “But we also have a lot of amenities of the big city.”

Mayor Gene McGee praised the RTC’s work.

“I believe the Ridgeland Tourism Commission has done a good job of representing the city. They really are helping to put Ridgeland on the map.”

According to the city’s tourism report for 2007, Ridgeland’s Web site registered 99,500 unique visits, a 25 percent increase over the previous year. Furthermore, RTC’s national media schedule generated more than 15,700 inquiries from potential visitors and groups.

“Sporting events, reunions, tourists and motor coach tours using Ridgeland hotels were a significant portion of this increase,” Collins said. “With hopes of seeing continuous growth in the number of tourists and revenue generated in Ridgeland throughout 2008, the RTC is participating in 20 regional trade shows and promotional meetings.”

The tourism agency was created by the Mississippi Legislature in 1997.