Travel Tunica
Want the inside scoop on everything there is to do in Tunica? Travel Tunica will take you to the best spas, restaurants, hotels, experiences, shopping, museums, and entertainment options available to you just down the road! Travel Tunica writers Chrissy, Claire, and Lisa tell you what they liked the best. You can always let them experience it first and have the inside information on how to Travel Tunica in style. Send them your ideas on Facebook or Twitter! You don’t have to take a gamble on your getaway and can always walk away a winner!
Chrissy Garner for Travel Tunica
Chrissy began working with the Tunica Covention & Visitors Bureau in 2003 via the CVB’s advertising agency. It was a time of exciting development and expansion with the addition of the Tunica RiverPark & Museum and Tunica National Golf & Tennis to the already-established gaming environment. She managed the advertising efforts for over five years before deciding, “Why not just move to Tunica? That is where it’s happening!” Chrissy has been living in Tunica for almost two years and now has a problem deciding every month which entertainment headliner to see! If you have any questions or comments for Chrissy, please feel free to contact her at cgarner@tunicatravel.com.
Lisa Konupka for Travel Tunica
Lisa moved to Tunica seven years ago with her husband when he took a job at the Tunica Airport. Originally from Florida, and after spending a few years in Knoxville, TN, Lisa has decided that living and working in Tunica has been the highlight of her many travels. She simply enjoys indulging in the fine food and music, and even enjoys cooking some of her own meals, especially Paula Deen recipes. She continues to enjoy traveling around the Mississippi Delta and spending time with her husband and three dogs. Most importantly, Lisa loves to shop and has a way of finding the best deals at the Tunica outlet mall. If you have any comments or suggestions for Lisa, please send them to lkonupka@tunicatravel.com.
Other Contributors
Webster Franklin, President & CEO of the Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau
Webster Franklin is a product of the Mississippi Delta and calls Tunica, the northernmost country of the Delta, his home.
He attended the University of Mississippi and graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Upon graduation he was employed in the White House for the George Bush administration.
In 1994, Mr. Franklin became the first paid Executive Director of the Tunica County, Mississippi, Chamber of Commerce. He was responsible for drafting and lobbying for passage of the special legislation creating and funding the Tunica County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
In January 1997, he became the first President and CEO of the new Convention & Visitors Bureau. In 2004, he was inducted into the Mississippi Tourism Hall of Fame and the Tunica Tourism Hall of Fame. Recently named by Memphis Magazine as a “Power Player in the Gaming Industry,” Franklin is President & CEO of the Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau. He is responsible for administering an annual budget of 3.6 million dollars for promoting tourism and leading Tunica County, Mississippi, to its goal of becoming a major tourist destination resort community. The budget includes all advertising, marketing, and public relations for the destination as well as overseeing these budgets for the Tunica Airport, Tunica Arena and Expo Center, Tunica National Golf and Tennis, and Tunica RiverPark. Under his leadership, the Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau was named the CVB of the Year for the Southeastern US in 2009.
He lives in the Town of Tunica with his wife and two children. If you have any comments or suggestions for Webster, please send them to wfranklin@tunicatravel.com.
Greg Gaston, Guest Contributor
The Emmy Award-Winning Greg Gaston has been entertaining Mid-South sports fans since 1995. Currently the co-host of Middays with Greg & Eli on Sports 56 WHBQ – AM, previously Greg was seen on Memphis television screens for more than a decade. He has worked as the Sports Director and weeknight Sports Anchor for ABC 24/UPN 30 and as a Sports Reporter/Anchor for WHBQ-TV in Memphis.
Through the years, Greg has complied an impressive list of honors and awards, including 16 Associated Press awards. In 2010, he won the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for Sports Journalism for his story on former Memphis Tigers star David Vaughn. Greg has also been the television voice of the University of Memphis Tigers, providing play-by-play for both the football and basketball programs. Having called games on ESPN, CSS, Comcast and FSN, Greg has been behind the microphone for everything from Boxing and MMA Matches to Baseball and Tennis.
When Greg’s not talking about sports, he’s watching or playing sports. His passion is golf
John Grochowski, Gaming
John has been writing about casinos and casino games since 1994 through his weekly syndicated column that goes to newspapers and websites, including the Chicago Sun-Times, Denver Post and Casino City Times. He’s a regular in magazines specifically for gaming players, including Midwest Gaming and Travel and Southern Gaming and Destinations, and in the casino industry trade publications, such as Casino Journal and Slot Manager. John is the author of six books on gaming, including “The Slot Machine Answer Book” and “The Video Poker Answer Book.” If you are interested in his past work or simply want to ask a gaming-related question, please e-mail him at casinoanswerman@casinoanswerman.com.
Matt Jordan, Lifestyle/Entertainment
Currently a resident of Memphis, Matt Jordan appreciates the entertainment and unique social opportunities that the area (especially Tunica) has to offer. He has not always been located in the South and has spent several years wandering the globe, living in Vegas and enjoying life to the fullest. Visiting almost every country in the world, it is safe to say that he has learned what is means to truly be entertained, and he looks forward to sharing those experiences with you. If you have any questions about the places and topics he covers, please drop him a line at mattjordantunica@gmail.com.
