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The University of Southern Mississippi

118 College Drive #5067, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406
1500 Guests

Event Types Welcomed

Adult Social Events
Corporate Social Events
Expo/Competitions
Family Reunions
Professional Meeting / Training / Conference / Retreats
Wedding Ceremonies
Wedding Receptions
Youth Parties
Youth Retreat/Camps

About

Looking for an event venue in Hattiesburg, Mississippi? The beautiful, modern and distinct venues at The University of Southern Mississippi provide the ideal setting for a variety of special events, meetings and conferences. Illustrious scenic landscapes, sophisticated corporate meeting space, stunning ballrooms and world-class catering truly enhance the Southern charm of our prestigious campus.

Southern Miss Event and Conference Services oversees the reservation and logistical aspects for Hattiesburg events held in the Thad Cochran Center, Trent Lott National Center, R.C. Cook Union and Danforth Chapel.

We welcome the opportunity to transform your next Hattiesburg event into a memorable success!

Our goal is to assist groups in creating a memorable experience for all attendees. We serve the following types of organizations:

  • Academic
  • Athletic
  • Businesses
  • Faith-Based
  • Youth Leadership
  • Social
  • Summer Camps

Meeting & Event Spaces

Max Capacity: 1500 Guests
Largest Classroom Style: 350
Largest Theatre Style: 324
Largest Auditorium Seating: 324
Largest Arena Seating: 8,095
Largest Seated Reception: 450
Largest Standing Reception: 800
Academic Year Largest Group: yes

Thad Cochran Center

Trent Lott National Center

R.C. Cook University Union

Danforth Chapel

Danforth Chapel is located in the heart of the Southern Miss campus and is frequently used for quiet meditation, religious services and weddings.
  • 1,362 Sq. Ft.
  • 70 Theatre Style

Outdoor Space

Armstrong-Branch Plaza (located between the Liberal Arts Building, International Center and Joseph Greene Hall. Available for student organizations and on-campus departments to host "information tables" only. Small events or solicitations not permitted in this area).
Bennett & Kennard-Washington Lawns
Centennial Lawns
Library Plaza
Shoemaker Square
Spirit Park
Union Plaza
Weathersby Lawn

Food & Beverage Options

Fresh Food Company

The Fresh Food Company is Eagle Dining's premier residential restaurant. Located in the Thad Cochran Center, it provides a wide range of delicious food prepared right before your eyes! It features 11 stations that include a made-to-order grill option, made-to-order pasta, pizza, salad bar, international dishes, soup, Mongolian grill and more, with continuous dining all day long! 

Power House

You’ll know the Power House by its distinctive smoke stack – it was the original power source to heat campus. Built in 1934 and restored as a casual sit-down restaurant, it features Southern and Cajun cuisine.  The Power House serves as the late-night venue on campus, staying open until midnight each night of the week.  

Real Food on Campus (RFOC) at Hillcrest

This location features fresh, home-style meals conveniently located for students living in the Hillcrest residence hall. 

Seymour's Food Court

Named for the university’s mascot, it offers Chick-fil-A and Subway – not to mention a big-screen TV.

The Agora

Located in the International Center, it’s your spot for a touch of ethnic cuisine and bagels galore. Fare includes made-to-order Mexican cuisine at Tortilla Fresca and an Einstein Bros. Bagels.

Starbucks Coffee

Start your day – or end your night – at Starbucks in the Cook Library. There’s nothing like a jolt of Joe to keep you focused.

Freshens

Located in Asbury Hall, Freshëns is a healthy “fast casual” concept, offering “better for you” products, including handcrafted crepes, salads, rice bowls, stuffed baguettes and fresh blended smoothies. Freshens also proudly brews Starbucks coffee, tea, lattes, Frappuccinos and more.

POD Market at Century Park

Located in Century Park, University Market is the ultimate convenience store with fresh brewed Starbucks coffee, custom-made F’real milkshakes and smoothies, frozen food, household items and more. 

Catering Options

Southern Miss Catering

Whatever group you want to treat to delicious food, we want to make doing so easy. Just give us a call, send us an email or place your order online. Our professionals will take care of everything else so your mind is free to enjoy your special delivery and custom menu.

All Day Meeting Packages

2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice, but calorie needs vary.
Additional nutrition information available upon request.

Flavor in Bloom

Embrace Nature`s Vibrant Bountry

Breakfast Menu

Breakfast Collections, a la carte breakfast, hot breakfast and breakfast additions.

Buffets

The Classic Collections, theme buffets and create your own buffet.

Boxed Meals

Choose from classic or premium boxed lunches.

Receptions and Stations

Hors d'Oeuvres, enhancements and stations.

Accommodations

  • Total Number of Overnight Guests: 2000
  • Wi-Fi in Guest Rooms: Yes
  • Wi-Fi Guest Room Cost : Free
Overnight Room Attributes
  • Air-conditioned rooms available
  • Linens Provided
  • Washer/Dryer

Century Park North

Located at 2901 West Forth Street.  Each room contains two single beds, two desks, chairs and chests of drawers. Rooms also include a bookcase, closets, a sink and microfridge.
830 Beds

Floorplan Layout

Century Park South

Located at 105 Black and Gold Boulevard. Each room contains two single beds, desks and chairs.  Rooms also include chest of drawers, entertainment unit, sing and refrigerator/freezer.
929 Beds

Floorplan Layout

Hattiesburg Hall

Located at 108 East Memorial Drive.  Suite sytle rooms with furnished living area and semiprivate bath.
59 Beds

Floorplan Layout

Hillcrest Hall

Located at 6263 US Highway 49.  Suite-style rooms with semiprivate baths.
362 Beds

Floorplan Layout

McCarty Hall

Located at 103 Eagle Walk.  Rooms include two single beds, desks and chairs.  Rooms also include chest of drawers, closets, entertainment center and microfridge.
366 Beds

Floorplan Layout

Mississippi Hall

Located at 116 East Memorial Drive.  Rooms are suite-style with furnished living area and semiprivate bath.
59 Beds

Floorplan Layout

Scholarship Hall

Located at The Village (3571 Montague Blvd.).  The rooms include two single beds, desks and chairs with a private bath.
56 Beds

Floorplan Layout

Wilber Hall

Located at 6173 US Highway 49.  The rooms include traditional style double beds with a community bathroom on each floor.
301 Beds

Floorplan Layout

Featured Amenities

Accessible Facilities
Air Conditioning
Fitness Center
In-House Catering
Laundry
Linens
Overnight Rooms
Paid Parking
Running Trails
Theater Seating
WiFi

Venue Location + Transportation

Address

118 College Drive #5067,

Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406

Transportation

Lyft
Uber

Nearby Airport

Gulf Port - 90 minutes

Nearby International Airport

New Orleans - 90 minutes

Parking

Parking on Site: Yes

Nearby Cities

Biloxi, MS 75 miles |
Jacskon, MS 88 miles |
New Orleans, LA 111 miles

Things to Know

Catering

Must Use In-House Catering: Yes

External Catering Allowed: No

Can Bring In Own Food: No

Cultural Catering Available: Yes

Venue Policies

Alcohol Consumption: Yes

Smoking Permitted: No

Cannabis Industry-Friendly: No

Cannabis Consumption: No

ADA Accessible: Yes

Technology

Technical services and equipment are available on-site. House Sound with background music is available in each room with an array of options to meet your audio needs. Video projection and computer connections are also available. The first floor rooms of the Lott Center are outfitted with multi-media podiums, which allow for effortless control of presentations. Lighting in each facility is a combination of high-pressure sodium, fluorescent and incandescent, which is easily adjusted to meet a variety of event needs. The Lott Center offers motorized blackout blinds to control natural light from entering the meeting rooms (available in select rooms).

Guest Wi-Fi: Free

Onsite Tech Support: Yes

Wi-Fi In Meeting Space: Yes

Equipment Available On-Site:
  • Projector Screen

Testimonials

When we decided to hold quarterly workshops, it was important for me to find a location that was both reasonable and professional. USM exceeded my expectations on both. USM consistently took the time to discuss with me every minute detail that came up along the way to deliver a flawless event. The room was set up exactly as we had discussed and Aaron met me ahead of time to make sure I was comfortable with the technology we would be using. We will continue to hold events at USM Gulf Park Campus both because they make it as easy as possible for me to plan an event there and because our clients love the atmosphere.

Jenny Gates, AAMS Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

The Long Beach Chamber of Commerce host several events throughout the year at the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Campus. Gulf Park Event Services makes each event perfect from booking a date, booking the food and making the day of the event run smoothly. The staff is very accommodating and there to be a helping hand before, during and after the event. Gulf Park Event Services are TO THE TOP!

Jenny Levens, IOM Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

We’ve gotten nothing but really great compliments on everything that was provided. Anytime we needed anything, your staff stepped up. I’m thankful that on the list of things I really didn’t have to worry about was facilities. So, thank you.

Samantha McCain, PRAM State Conference

Thank you and your staff for another smooth week in Mississippi. We love coming to Mississippi to see you guys each year.

Justin Maullin, Carolina Soccer Camps

I want to say both the facility staff and catering services represented Southern Miss well at the Trent Lott National Center. The attention to detail by catering services was outstanding. Everyone should be commended for the great assistance they provided me, my students and our guests.

Vickie Reed, Department of Public Health

Lydia Pierce and Tiffany Hammond are true professionals and reflect on the USM community in a very positive light. We work with many collegiate venues and dealing with USM is our favorite, due to the competence of Ms. Hammond and Mrs. Pierce.

Patrick M. Seidling, Blue Devils Drum Corps International

Services

Meeting Services

Our friendly and courteous event staff will provide superior service to your next meeting. Wi-Fi, parking, and easily configured rooms, are included with our spaces.

Conference Services

Gulf Park Event Services can accommodate small groups and functions as large as five hundred. Our facilities consist of a ballroom, auditorium, and various breakout spaces that can accommodate the learning style of your speaker and guests.

Wedding Services

Our beautiful beachfront scenery, majestic oak trees, and Spanish style architecture will certainly add southern charm to your next wedding, reception or special event.

Non-Profit Event & Meeting Services

Whether you are planning a board meeting, organization conference, fundraiser, panel, or charity event, Gulf Park Event Services team members are ready to assist with your non-profit event location. We believe in supporting the mission behind 501(c) (3) organizations, and will work with your nonprofit's needs. 

Technology

Technology Services and Equipment

Technical services and equipment are available on-site. House Sound with background music is available in each room with an array of options to meet your audio needs. Video projection and computer connections are also available. The first floor rooms of the Lott Center are outfitted with multi-media podiums, which allow for effortless control of presentations.