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Memo from President Duane O'Neill
                          

MAXIMIZING TELCOM AND CONVENTION CENTER EFFORTS

In 1995 legislation was enacted to create the Telecommunications and Conferencing Center (TCC).  This $17.5 million facility, which plans to open around the first of 2006, sits impressively in downtown Jackson.  The facility, with its state of the art technology, will be a great venue for small conferences and meetings.  Also, in 2006the legislature paved the way for the City of Jackson to pass a referendum to build the Capitol City Convention Center (CCCC).  This $65 million structure will be erected adjacent to the TCC on Pascagoula Street.  A tentative completion date for the Convention Center is mid 2008. 

As individual projects–although outstanding additions to the community-the centers would be not unique enough to stand out from offerings available in other metro markets.  However, together, they do become very special.  The CCCC has the space, while the TCC has breakout rooms.  The TCC has the technology, while the CCCC has the food services options.  The flow from one to the other will give conference attendees the feeling of being in just one facility.  The ways that the two complement each other goes on and on.  This all sounds great, right?  Well it does, BUT there are a couple of issues that need immediate attention to assure the success of these facilities.

The discussion of the issues deserves more explanation than I can give in this column.  However, at the core of the potential conflict is the fact that the TCC is a state governed entity, and that the CCCC is a City of Jackson entity. As previously stated, the attributes of each will complement the other.  However, there are two governing commissions that will build, manage and operate this one seamless effort.  While it could work, it clearly is not the most efficient, or effective means to operate these important economic engines.

This observation is no slam at the work done to accomplish the two projects.  The Governor, the State Legislature, the City of Jackson, other elected officials, the business community and so many others that helped get us to this point are to be commended.  But the bottom-line fact is that the two governing bodies of these structures now need to come together.  Funding, project management, and marketing are just a few of the numerous issues that need clarity from one governing board to maximize the opportunities that lie ahead. 

This philosophy of one governing board has broad based support. Timing is critical.  Before decisions are made that could complicate the operations of these tremendously important venues, we need additional legislation to bring the two projects together. 

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For more information, please contact Lynda Raines at lraines@metrochamber.com or call (601) 948-7575, ext. 260.

Mississippi Business &  Technology Expo   January   18 - 19, 2006 www.msbusiness.com/events     It is time again for the state's largest business-to-business networking event — the Mississippi Business & Technology EXPO. The event, presented by Roadrunner Business Class, will be held January 18,19 2006 at the Trade Mart in Jackson. It is a special project of the Mississippi Business Journal, Now in its 23nd year, EXPO will feature nearly 200 exhibits and is expected to attract thousands of attendees. In addition, the event will feature multiple awards programs, free seminars, door prizes, and more. Special drawings will be held for seminar attendees to win two free Southwest Airlines tickets; and visitors to the Cyber Café can register for a FREE computer from Ridgeland Computer Repair and Road Runner. Golf Pro Bob Ford will analyze swings, and many other attractions await EXPO attendees. "Over the course of more than two decades, the Mississippi Business Journal has worked diligently to grow the number of exhibitors, attendees and offerings at the show," said MBJ general manager Ron Jones. "We are going to provide a number of 'firsts' at this year's event, and we are really excited about the 2006 version of the EXPO." The EXPO's hours Wednesday, January 18, 2006, will be 9:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m., including a Business After Hours networking party beginning at 5 p.m., and on Thursday, January 19 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.  The Top 40 Under 40 Luncheon will also be held January 18, beginning at noon, and will recognize 40 of Mississippi's top business and community leaders under the age of 40. The Business Woman of the Year Luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. January 19. This award ceremony unveils the top business woman selected from the MBJ's previously held 50 Leading Business Women program. Special Projects Director, Robbie Bell, reports that outstanding entertainment, speakers and multi-media are once again on the agenda for each of these events.   The show is open to the public, and admission is free with a business card. For more information, call (601) 364-1000,    Whether you're an entrepreneur, a sole proprietor or CEO of a large corporation, this is one event you don't want to miss!   We hope to see you there!