Page 24 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2016

COASTNOTES
COASTLEGISLATIVE
RECEPTION
Date set for January 6
story by Lynn Lofton photos courtesy of James Kaigler, Kimberly Nastasi
andITina Ross-Seamans
JAMES KAIGLER
n January each year, a few days after the state legislature convenes, Coast restaurateurs, chamber of commerce officials and a number of residents make the trek to the state capital to host a legislative
reception. It’s an opportunity to speak directly with lawmakers from all over the state about timely issues.
This year’s event takes place, Wednesday, January 6, at 5:30 p.m. at
the Mississippi Trade Mart in downtown Jackson. The theme is Mardi Gras for this free event.
The chairman is James Kaigler, commercial banking senior vice president with Hancock Bank. “This year marks the 26th year that the Gulf Coast Legislative Reception has offered an exceptional opportunity for casual, informal networking between the people who
lead the region’s growth and the people who make decisions that affect that growth,” he said. “It’s a fun event that celebrates the Coast’s unique culture and traditions. The reception spotlights the culinary diversity of the Coast, with 16 Coast restaurants or catering companies sharing their signature cuisine. This year also features pairings with craft beer from Coast microbreweries.”
Tina Ross-Seamans, CEO of the Biloxi Bay Chamber, is organizing some group travel options but details were not available at press time. “We encourage many Coast residents to make the drive
to Jackson for this important event,” she said.
“State legislators and business people attending this reception consider it to
be one of the state’s premier networking events,” said Gulf Coast Chamber CEO Kimberly Nastasi. “It continues to provide a unique forum for business leaders to share issues critical to the Mississippi Gulf Coast face-to-face with our legislators, key public officials and opinion leaders.”
Karen Sinopoli of Catfish Charlie’s
in Gulfport has been involved with
the culinary portion of this event since 2000. “There is so much good we hope will come home to us from our state legislators. The Coast has it going on,” she said. “Every year we receive support from the casinos. They bring award- winning appetizers, soups, gumbo, entrees, and more, plus desserts that satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. We also have great support for the seafood from the Department of Marine Resources.”
Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce 228.604.0014 www.mscoastchamber.com
Biloxi Bay Chamber of Commerce
228.435.6149 www.biloxibaychamber.org
TINA ROSS-SEAM
KIMBERLY NASTASI
ANS
24 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • January 2016 FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net