Chamber Executive
Mississippi Digest
December, 2015
Happy New Years Eve, Chamber World! It's going to be a GREAT day!
Chamber
hero: Ocean Springs' Miller retires with accolades, tears
There were
tears and hugs and accolades and more tears, hugs, smiles and a toast to the
woman whose name is synonymous with Ocean Springs.
Beyond all
the awards and board memberships, she is best known for shepherding the Peter
Anderson Festival.
Margaret
Miller, retiring at the end of the month, was honored Friday afternoon for 28
years with the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce. She is the retiring executive
director of not only the chamber but also Main Street and the Tourism Bureau.
She wore three hats, and taking her place will be her second-in-command,
Cynthia Sutton.
The
reception was elegant at the city's Community Center next to the Walter
Anderson Museum of Art.
READ
MARGARET MILLER'S BIOGRAPHY
City
leaders gave her credit for the city's success on many levels, but she seemed
especially proud of helping to grow the tax base and leading Ocean Springs from
being a bedroom community relying heavily on homeowner property taxes to being
a city known for its retail shops and restaurants.
Friday, she
wore a purple orchid corsage with a sparkling No. 28. People stood in line to
hug her.
With her
husband, Greg, her children -- she raised five -- and her many grandchildren,
she told the crowd theirs was "a love affair with a town that continues to
be incredible."
There were
proclamations. The mayor said Miller instilled in the city a vision of what it
could be and it rose to that vision.
The
festivals she started, the organizations she helped charter were too many to
fit on the plaque.
Stacy Pair
with Mississippi Main Street brought a letter from the governor. Pair commented
on Miller's influence on beautification in the city, saying, "Walk
downtown and you're seeing Margaret Miller, her style and class."
The
governor's letter praised her work, calling Ocean Springs a city often seen as
a model for others. Read more: Sun Herald
East Mississippi Business Development Corporation's annual
meeting draws raves for positive economic message
Members of the East Mississippi Business
Development Corporation got a rousing pep talk Friday to highlight the
organization's 19th annual meeting at the Mississippi State University Riley
Center's Historic Theatre.
Mississippi
Development Authority Director Glenn McCullough gave the keynote address and it
was followed by a panel discussion led by former Mississippi State University
President and current Riley Foundation member Dr. Malcolm Portera.
This was the first
annual meeting for EMBDC President and CEO Bill Hannah, who's been on the job
for six months. Many of the attendees Friday expressed praise for Hannah's
program, which focused on the importance of regionism and positive attitude.
"This was the
most informative EMBDC annual meeting I've attended," Mississippi House Pro
Tempore Greg Snowden (R-Meridian) said.
That was the
objective, Hannah said.
"(We wanted to focus)
on working regionally, and we have ton of very vested people, and it's not to
say we haven't before, but there seems to be a want to get all of our
leadership together," Hannah said. "I don't know if it is a different
direction, but we're marching in the same direction and be successful. Glenn
(McCullough) nailed it, we just have to believe we can be successful."
Read more: Meridian Star
Hancock
County Chamber of Commerce celebrates 90th anniversary
The Hancock County
Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 90th anniversary Thursday night at the
Bay-Waveland Yacht Club.
The chamber
was first organized in 1925 by the Bay St. Louis Rotary Club. It began as a
city organization, the Bay St. Louis Chamber of Commerce, until it grew to a
countywide effort and changed its name in 1945.
The
nonprofit organization is an economic-development partner with elected
officials, tourism leaders, the Port & Harbor Commission, Partners for
Stennis Space Center, Infinity Science Center and local media, Executive Director
Tish Williams said.
"Chambers
are often perceived as being for the elite," Williams said. "Yet most
chamber members aren't rich. They are individuals, rich or poor, who put their
heads together and change their communities in fascinating ways."
One of the
first projects endorsed by the Rotary Club and the chamber was the 1926
seawall. The latest was the new Bay St. Louis Municipal Harbor. Read
more: Sun Herald
Mississippi
Economic Council hopes to spell out state's transportation issues
While much of the
talk leading up to the 2016 session has centered on the possibility of
legislators considering tax cuts, an effort to increase taxes might also be in the
works.
Later this
month -- on Dec. 18 -- the influential Mississippi Economic Council will
release a transportation plan for the state. While little has been made public
about the plan to this point, many believe additional revenue will be required
to address the transportation and infrastructure needs expected to be cited in
the MEC plan.
Scott
Waller, executive vice president of MEC, said the goals are "to identify
the problems and identify the options to address the problems. That is what we
will be talking about on the 18th."
Some
legislators believe to pay for the many transportation needs in the state --
both on the state and local levels -- will take additional revenue.
"There
is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow to pay for this," said Rep.
Steve Holland, D-Plantersville. "We need a plan, and we need a way to pay
for it." Read more: Sun-Herald
Oxford and Lafayette
County Chamber Makes Plans for 2016 Leadership Lafayette Program
-Leadership Lafayette 2016 Class Call for Applications
Oxford, Miss.—Emerging community leaders of Oxford and Lafayette County once again have an opportunity to participate in the annual Leadership Lafayette program presented by the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce.
The nine-month program,
beginning in January 2016, is a series of training sessions and activities,
designed for emerging community leaders. It is intended to assure the
continuity of leadership in Lafayette-Oxford-University community and assist
already established community leaders, who seek more effective ways to
contribute to the community. In addition to the sessions, class members will
also participate in a community based project.
“Leadership Lafayette is
a great opportunity for community leaders to engage in their community through
networking, education and group projects. Each session is coordinated by alumni
of the program who put considerable thought into making each year the best it
can be,” said Torie Marion White, Leadership Lafayette Program Chair.
The objectives of the
program include identifying potential community leaders, developing individual
leadership potential, acquiring knowledge about community and current issues in
Lafayette County, creating dialogue and rapport among participants and current
leaders, and promoting a sense of "community" through shared efforts
benefiting the local community.
Each month will involve an all day session from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. These sessions are packed with information about Oxford and Lafayette County and the needs of the community. Participants will acquire knowledge about current issues that surround them, as well as focused leadership training.
Leadership Lafayette
participants will be selected by a steering committee on the basis of completed
applications received by Friday, December 11, 2015. Preference will be given to
candidates who, in addition to their potential for leadership, would contribute
to the overall diversity and strength of the class and have available time to
commit to the program and future community service. Program participation is
limited to 25. The program requires a tuition fee of $350 upon acceptance. -
Interested Individuals can acquire an application at www.oxfordms.com
Chamber Executive Ongoing Education
Weekly New Idea: (Holiday Reading) - The Answer - Grow Any
Business, Achieve Financial Freedom, and Live an Extraordinary Life
By John
Assaraf and Murray Smith
A key team member behind The Secret and his business partner offer the specific tools and mental strategies to help readers leap ahead in any career or business venture and achieve major financial success. In this visionary work, New York Times bestselling author John Assaraf and business guru Murray Smith reinvent the business book for the twenty-first century. Two of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world, they combine forces to bring their special insights and techniques together in a revolutionary guide for success in the modern business environment.
Assaraf and Smith know how to minimize risk and maximize success, and The Answer provides a framework for sharing their wisdom, experience, and skills with the millions of people who want to accomplish their own dreams in life. Using cutting-edge research into brain science and quantum physics, they show how readers can actually rewire their brains for success and create the kind of extraordinary lives they want. By teaching readers how to attract and use newly discovered "uncommon" senses to achieve business success, the authors demonstrate the beliefs, habits, thoughts, and actions that they have used to build eighteen multimillion-dollar companies.
Any reader who follows this step-by-step process to build his or her career will experience an enormous life transformation and reach an exceptional level of living. - See more at: Simon & Schuster
Natchez Adams County Chamber: Celebrate our 107th year as a
Chamber and commemorate our standing as the oldest Chamber in Mississippi.
The Natchez Adams County Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to the 2015 Gala Membership Celebration. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, at 5:30 p.m. at the Natchez Convention Center. We are excited about this year’s event as we celebrate our 107th year as a Chamber and commemorate our standing as the oldest Chamber in Mississippi. Our Gala will represent the best of what we have in Natchez: our people. We will have a fun and festive time while recognizing those that have joined together for the purpose of promoting the progress of our great community. Our Gala theme is “The Best of Natchez”. We will be changing up our traditional format in that we will not have a speaker for the event; however, we will feature Natchez’s best chefs, musicians, beer vendors, mixologists, live and silent auctions and more. We will have local restaurants offering samplers from the finest in town, a beer garden with local brewed beers, a mixology table with local rum, and of course, local music. To start the night we will have the pleasure of hosting Alcorn State’s Jazz Band. Following them will be the sweet tunes of local musicians Speakeasy and closing the night out will be the rising local talent of Bishop Gunn. This should be an amazing night of celebrating what Natchez does best: have a good time! Also, on this night, awards will be presented to both a man and a woman who have given unselfishly of their time and effort for the betterment of Natchez and Adams County (Natchezian Award), Small and Large Business Award will honor successful companies in our community. Read more: Natchez Democrat
Baptist Memorial Hospital North to Better Serve Lafayette County
Mississippi With New $300M Facility
Construction crews are working to complete a major $300 million
replacement facility for Baptist Memorial Hospital North Mississippi, which
will serve Oxford, Lafayette County and the surrounding area. The new
five-story structure will have 602,831 sq. ft. (56,004 sq m), including 217
beds with more comprehensive medical and surgical services.
“With the growth our area has experienced in the last decade,
building a newer, updated hospital to serve the community became an easy
decision,” said Bill Henning, administrator and CEO of Baptist North
Mississippi. “The new hospital is a replacement hospital with the same number
of beds as the current hospital. However, the new building will afford us the
space to add new services, the flexibility for future changes in patient care
and provide the infrastructure for new technology and enhanced patient care.”
...
According to Jon Maynard, president
and CEO, Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and Economic
Development Foundation, the new hospital reflects more than a brick and mortar
facility for the area.
“The new hospital represents an
investment in our community. The upgrade in facilities will help us treat
patients with the latest equipment in a state-of-the-art facility that is
designed to grow with the demand of the healthcare needs of the region.
“The psychological impact, however
is much more than that. It allows us to recruit new physicians and new services
to our area like never before. The investment by Baptist Hospital indicates a
faith in the economic strength of our community. Their commitment to building a
new facility in Oxford is indicative of the sort of sustainable, high quality
growth that our community is experiencing.” Read more: ConstructionEquipmentGuide.com
EMBDC Makes Donation for
Mississippi Scholars
Meridian, MS ... The East
Mississippi Business Development Corporation (EMBDC) donated $2,500.00 to the
Education Committee of the East Mississippi Business Development Foundation
(EMBDF), which sponsors the local Mississippi Scholars program. The money
donated by the EMBDC was raised from ticket sales to their 19th Annual Meeting.
The Education Committee will use
the donation received to fund scholarships for Meridian and Lauderdale County’s
Mississippi Scholars and Tech Masters. The Mississippi Scholars and Tech
Masters Initiative is an education program managed by the Mississippi Economic
Council, and sponsored locally by the EMBDF Education Committee. There are 3
components to the Meridian/Lauderdale County Mississippi Scholars and Master
Tech program:
1. 8th grade classroom
presentations by business leaders who provide the rationale to students to
commit to a rigorous high school curriculum;
2. Senior Recognition in the form
of a seal on their diploma and transcript, a certificate and medallion to wear
at graduation; and
3. Incentives in the form of cash
scholarships.
In addition, the Mississippi
Scholars and Tech Masters Initiative encourages good stewardship and
responsibility through community services and attendance requirements. The goal
of Mississippi Scholars to prepare students for post-secondary education, as
well as high tech, military, and vocational programs will lead to a more
qualified and competitive workforce for our community. Read more: WTOK.com
Chamber genesis: The story behind South Mississippi's
Christmas tradition
Deck the
hulls with boughs of holly and pilot all around the Mississippi Sound. This
weekend marks the annual blending of Christmas with Mardi Gras, watercraft and
fireworks.
With
Biloxi's Christmas on the Water boat parade turning 30 on Saturday, South
Mississippians are now accustomed to seeing giant candy canes and plastic
reindeer floating by on a fleet of fishing boats in the Gulf of Mexico during
the yuletide season.
Christmas
on the Water, Biloxi's annual parade of boats covered with Christmas lights and
other holiday decorations, has in many ways become a unique staple of the
Coast.
The parade
first appeared in 1986, but the idea dates to 1984 with a group of mariners sitting
around a dinner table at Mary Mahoney's Old French House restaurant.
Rusty
David, chairman of the Christmas on the Water committee, remembers how it all
started.
David said
Mary Mahoney, who was president-elect of the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce, wanted
to do something unique for Christmas.
"We
planted the seed in '84," David said. "It was a bunch of us sitting
around Mary's restaurant, and she wanted to do something different because she
was the first female president of the Biloxi Chamber."
The group
of seafarers, which included David, were looking for an excuse to use their
boats during the winter, thus the idea of a Christmas parade on the water was
born.
"We
don't normally use our boats in the wintertime," he said. "It was an
opportunity to put people together on the boats during Christmastime and have a
real nice family event." Read more: Sun-Herald
Mississippi Economic Council Tour
to Stop in Brookhaven
The Mississippi Economic Council’s
Pacesetter Tour will stop in Brookhaven Dec. 10 with the goal of gathering
opinions about the state’s transportation infrastructure. The 22city MEC tour
will focus on transportation, economic competitiveness and the effects of a
healthy and productive workforce. There is no cost to attend the program at
Mitchell’s Special Events & Catering, but preregistration is required. The
program, cohosted by the BrookhavenLincoln County Chamber of Commerce and the
Industrial Development Foundation, will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. To
register, visit www.msmec.com. “MEC is setting the pace for transportation
infrastructure funding in Mississippi — and we need your help,”
“On the MEC Pacesetter Tour, you’ll
have the opportunity to provide feedback on the importance of transportation
infrastructure across the state, and your opinions will help us build a better
Mississippi for tomorrow. We need your involvement.” The MEC serves as the
state’s Chamber of Commerce. It created a transportation task force that
studied the state’s transportation needs and how to pay for them. Learn
more: Daily Leader
HamletHub chats with Ridgefield Chamber's new
Executive Director
Ms.
Jennifer Zinzi is the new face of the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce,
taking over the role of Executive Director from Ms. Susan Dighton who
stepped down just a few months ago. I had the pleasure of interviewing Jen
about her new role and future plans for Ridgefield and the Chamber.
How does it
feel being named Executive Director of the Chamber and why did you say yes to
the job?
Answer: I
am thrilled to have been selected for the Executive Director role here at the
Chamber. I know there were other very well qualified candidates and the fact
that the board has this confidence in me is truly an honor. It was very
easy to say "yes" because I have a passion for Ridgefield and this
job fits my personality to a tee. Engaging businesses and supporting the
community is my forte and this is a natural fit!
What do you
hope to accomplish as Executive Director?
Answer: As
the director of the Chamber I hope to accomplish several things in the next
year: Complete our new website conversion which will also be the official
tourism site for the town, employ social media more vigorously to promote our
members, events and community happenings as well as further develop deeper
relationships with other town groups and organizations as we work toward common
goals. The common thread is we all love this town!!
Talk to me
about your history with Ridgefield and how you first connected with the town.
Answer:
I first came to Ridgefield for a short time in 2004 where I managed the
Wachovia (now Wells Fargo office.) In 2007 I returned as the branch
manager for Union Savings Bank where I became actively involved with many
organizations. I fell in love with the philanthropic mindset here and
truly enjoyed being active. You could find me walking dogs at ROAR at 5am
or at a committee meeting for many other events in the evening. It was
through these activities that I really connected with the town and people. Read
more: HamletHub.com
Important National Chamber People notes:
Columbus,
Ohio Chamber CEO Michael Dalby stepping down - Chairman John
McEwan said it was Dalby
who elected to step down and that the Chamber has begun the process to find a successor,
first locally and then nationally, if need be. Read more: Columbus Business First
Top Three Daily Postings in the last month at Midwest Chamber of
Commerce blog – click to go
there or Google search “Midwest Chamber of Commerce blog”
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