Page 80 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2017

DOWNTOWNS real resources
Learn about membership in
CHAMBER 101
story by Lynn Lofton photo courtesy of Adele Lyons
You’ve joined the chamber of commerce. Now what? All chambers offer networking, training, special events and other advantages of membership. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, Inc. — with member chambers in the cities of Biloxi, Gulfport, Long Beach and Pass Christian — even has a class called Chamber 101 which gives members an informative overview of what
their membership entails and provides an opportunity to ask questions.
Adele Lyons, Chamber CEO
In her introductory remarks to the class, Chamber CEO Adele Lyons said, “To get the most out of your membership, try to go to a couple of events each month. They’re great for you, your business and the
community as a whole. And these events offer that all-important networking.”
She stressed that there are events to suit all members and the events are not just in one location. “We have many events at different times of the day and in different places,” she said. “Free events such as ribbon cuttings for new businesses
bring awareness of these businesses to the community.”
Additionally, the Chamber sponsors Economic Vibe,
Women Entrepreneurs, Salute to the Military, Power Hour, Gulfport and Long Beach Lunch Breaks, Chamber After Five, Coast
Young Professionals, Coast Centurion Association that
is committed to keeping the area’s military bases,
Leadership Gulf Coast, and Pre and Post State Legislative Briefings.
“We also offer small business grants, the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business grants, periodical seminars on subjects such as Time Management, a Member Exchange, premium ad opportunities on
our website, and an Office Depot Reward Card,” Lyons said. “And of course we have our annual meeting when we bring the community together and give a report of the year’s work.”
Lyons added, “Through these avenues, the Chamber is able to utilize a vast network of business resources and partnerships to serve our members, their businesses and the Gulf Coast.”
The Gulf Coast Chamber is Mississippi’s only nationally accredited chamber of commerce, a certification that was awarded in 2014 by the United States Chamber of Commerce.
80 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • August 2017
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Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce
11975 Seaway Rd., Gulfport 228.604.0014 | mscoastchamber.com