Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/327054
Connections | Summer 2014 4 President's Perspective It was great to see many of you at our Mid-Year Conference last month in Bay St. Louis. Thank you to Chairman Nancy Youngblood and her committee and our Industry Partners Annette Rand, MS Gulf Coast CVB and Thomas Dean, Hollywood Casino! The presenters, venues, and special events were excellent! Just two days prior to the start of our conference several communities in our state experienced the devastation of tornados that left 14 dead and over $14 million in property damage in their paths. Our prayers continue to be with citizens in Louisville, Tupelo, Columbus, Pearl, Centerville as well as communities in Arkansas and Alabama, as they begin to put their lives back together. In true Mississippi fashion, many faith-based groups, companies and volunteers have reached out to help through donations of time, supplies and money. I am so proud of the spirit of giving and generosity that exists in Mississippi. We take care of our own! In light of the storms, at our May Lunch and Learn, we featured a panel discussion of representatives from areas affected and from agencies who are working in the re-building efforts. Our goal was to provide our members the latest status reports from the affected areas and the most up-to-date list of needs in each area. The panel discussion was also a serious reminder that each one of us should do all that we can to prepare our organizations and members by establishing disaster-readiness plans and crisis communication plans that will allow us to respond quickly and efficiently in the wake of a disaster that might affect our members. It is hard to believe that my two-year term as your president is entering the home-stretch! In the coming weeks, I will appoint a nominating committee chaired by Immediate Past President Layne Bruce. The committee will be charged with nominating for the office of president and secretary for 2015/2016. The committee will also nominate four directors (two executive members and two industry partner members) to serve the 2015/2016 term on the MSAE board of directors. If you are interested in serving on the nominating committee or better still if you would like to be considered for an office, please let me or Layne Bruce know. Knowing of your interest and willingness to serve in any capacity would be greatly appreciated by Layne and the committee. As MSAE staggers terms for Officers, the offices of Vice President and Treasurer will be nominated next year for the 2016/2017 term. Although you will be receiving details about the Fall 2014 Joint State Conference with Louisiana, please mark your phone, Outlook, pocket and kitchen calendars for this value- packed education event! MONDAY, OCTOBER 6 – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014 IN BEAUTIFUL AND CHARMING NATCHEZ! In 1894, Coca-Cola was first bottled by Joseph A. Biedenharn in Vicksburg. 9 bottles sold in first year of • business* Today almost 2 billion servings of • Coke products are consumed every day.** * The Coca-Cola Company, 2010 Coke by the Numbers ** Nielsen 2012 y DID YOU KNOW?