Jessica Cohen has been named Director of Hartsville’s Tourism and Special Events, the City of Hartsville announced today. Cohen, who has been serving as Darlington County Tourism’s Director, will transition to the new position beginning July 6.
Cohen will lead Hartsville’s newly created Tourism Office, a project of the City of Hartsville and the Community Foundation for a Better Hartsville, which will be located in Hartsville City Hall and serve as a resource for the area’s events and recreational opportunities. Her focus areas will include sports tourism at local venues like the Byerly Park Recreation Complex, Coker College DeLoach Center and Darlington Raceway, as well as expanding and promoting the programming for Hartsville’s historic Center Theater. She will also be responsible for coordinating events such as the Hartsville Christmas Parade and the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting.
“Jessica will bring her experience with marketing, communications and working alongside leaders in the tourism industry to the Hartsville community at a time when it’s growing by leaps and bounds,” Hartsville City Manager Natalie Zeigler said. “We in the City of Hartsville and downtown development organization Main Street Hartsville are thrilled to begin working closely with her to put Hartsville’s unique facilities and atmosphere on the map, and increase our community’s visibility as a tourist destination.”
Cohen is a native of North Charleston and a 2013 graduate of Coker College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies. In addition to her time as Tourism Director for Darlington County Tourism, she has also served as the Communications Assistant for the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce.
“I’m extremely fortunate for the learning experience and the mentors I’ve gained through the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce,” Cohen said. “I’m elated to begin the next chapter with the City of Hartsville, and can’t wait to help Hartsville’s tourism reach the next level.”
Some of her first projects will include a Hartsville mobile app intended for tourists and residents alike, which she described as a virtual visitors guide providing information on attractions, accommodations, restaurants and events. Cohen will also develop a facility guidebook aimed at tournament directors and event planners which will detail all of Darlington County’s venues and facilities for sports and events, as well as meeting spaces, accommodations and natural resources.
As Tourism and Special Events Director, Cohen will also lead Hartsville’s Hospitality Council and serve as liaison to the Alliance Serving Sports and Eco-Tourism and the South Carolina Sports Alliance, as well as a number of local organizations.