Civic Center hosts chamber expo today

Anyone who missed the dedication ceremony last week for the Biloxi Civic Center can see the Howard Avenue facility in action today as the Biloxi Bay Chamber hosts its 3rd Annual Bu$ine$$ EXPO.

The free affair is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There’s also a luncheon, featuring CEO Charles Regan of Nerds On Site, at $30 a person, and a chamber networking session from 5 to 7 p.m. that’s $5 for potential chamber members and free to chamber members.

The expo marks the first event to be held in the nearly 50,000-square-foot civic center, which together with an adjoining 22,000 public library represents a $19.7 million investment and the largest municipal building ever constructed by the city.

“This a great opportunity for networking,” said Tina Ross-Seamans, director of the Biloxi Bay Chamber of Commerce. “A wide variety of businesses will be in the exhibit hall promoting their products and services. Just a sample of the types of businesses that will be at the EXPO are phone services/devices, business machines, staffing, advertising, photographer/art gallery/custom framing, bank/accounting services, pest control company, health spa, health care, hotels/casino/visitor information/event venues, merchant services and so much more — all under one roof.”

New to the lineup this year are the chamber’s member restaurants, catering companies, event planners/decorators, bakeries, liquor stores, and others in event marketing who are showcasing their products for the event by providing the food/beverage and services.

As many as 150 people are expected for the luncheon, where keynote speaker Regan will discuss “The Greatest Secret Revealed…to Boost your Business.” A limited number of seats can be purchased at the chamber registration desk this morning. More than 300 are expected to attend the Biloxi Bay Connects affair from 5 to 7 p.m.

“People can come and go at their leisure throughout the day,” Ross-Seamans said. “We’ll be there all day.”

News and notes

Online homeowner course: Visions of Hope, a community service agency in Biloxi, has launched its housing education online course to help new homeowners qualify for up to $30,000 in the city’s downpayment assistance program. To learn more, click here.

Registration: Biloxi Public Schools continue registration of all students today throughout the city. For more information on what you’ll need at registration, click here.

New restaurant: Shaggy’s Biloxi Beach opened on Wednesday, the latest in a string of restaurants to open in Biloxi and part of the resurgence of west beach.

National coverage: CBS News was in town last week, interviewing Mayor A.J. Holloway and Community Development Director Jerry Creel about growth in Biloxi.

Gaming figures: The latest gaming figures in Biloxi are now online, showing that the market made up from the Palace Casino Resort being closed for two weeks for renovations. To see the monthly recap, click here.