Biloxi Chamber
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City of Biloxi
The City of Biloxi has long been a popular resort destination, and more recently, it has become the casino and entertainment capital of South Mississippi. With dockside and onshore gaming, Biloxi has attracted numerous first-class gambling facilities to the area. Condominium developments are also popping up along Biloxi’s coastline, providing beachfront housing for residents and resort accommodations for visitors.In addition to casinos and condos, Biloxi is home to Keesler Air Force Base, the city’s largest employer. The city has also seen an emergence of a growing healthcare community with the Biloxi Commerce Park, Cedar Lake Medical Plaza and e-Fitness and Wellness, a 100,000 sq. ft. facility being developed by the Mississippi Wellness Foundation. Other important industries in Biloxi include boatyards, timber and seafood.
Rich with culture and history, Biloxi’s downtown area has established a Biloxi Main Street Program to preserve and promote the area. The arrival of a Gulf Coast branch of the legendary Tulane University and the opening of a state-of-the-art public high school have added to the great quality of life in this city.
Visit the City of Biloxi’s Web site at www.biloxi.ms.us.
Biloxi Chamber—Who We Are
For over 100 years, the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce has turned the wheels of business and industry in the city in a way that has reverberated across the region. The Chamber has always been important in Biloxi and for that reason has enjoyed a membership of leaders in business, government and the military.Organizing in 1893 as the Iroquois Business Club, a group of businessmen, merchants, seafood processors and hoteliers changed the name a year later as the Biloxi Commercial Club. Around 1919, the group opted to become the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce.
Records indicate great effort on the part of the early Biloxi Chamber to promote the city as a tourist mecca. Many approaches were used to market the area including promotion of the area as a health spa because the water was more healthful in Biloxi. The city boasted some beautiful hotels, had a bustling train station and of course there was the lure of the shore.
Leaders of the Biloxi Chamber helped the city through the Great Depression, mostly by relying on extended credit. In some cases a barter system emerged. Of course, the saving grace was the fishing industry, which kept Biloxians going with a large and inexpensive supply of mullet, then forever known as Biloxi Bacon.
In the early 40s, it became apparent that Biloxi needed a year round economy, one not totally reliant on the tourist and fishing seasons. A.J. (Tony) Ragusin, Manager of the Biloxi Chamber led the members in an intense effort to bring a military installation to Biloxi. A massive public relations effort and the combined efforts of all elements of Biloxi's citizenry resulted in the creation of what would become Keesler Field, an army air corps center.
Today, Keesler Air Force Base is home to the headquarters of the Second Air Force, The 81st Training Wing and the 403 Air Lift Wing of the Air Force Reserve. The Biloxi Chamber of Commerce is still responsible for maintaining the best possible relationship between the community and the military.
The Chamber has continued to grow over the years and has done much for the community. In the 60s, the Biloxi Chamber was a major factor in the coast wide effort to save Fort Massachusetts on Ship Island. At the end of the decade the Chamber helped the city clean up after devastating Hurricane Camille.
In 1988, the Biloxi Chamber chose to join other local chambers in the creation of a community wide chamber. Hence, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce was formed and now includes the Biloxi Chamber, the Gulfport Chamber, the Long Beach Chamber and the Pass Christian Chamber. These local chambers have local leadership, raise their funds locally and spend those funds on a program of work that benefits their own community. Because of economies of scale and the impact of strength of numbers in such forums as the state legislature, these local chambers benefit from the administration of a coast wide chamber.
Today, the Biloxi Chamber is guiding the phenomenal growth brought by casino gaming. Working with city officials, developers, casino operators and small businesses, the Chamber remains in the forefront of all major events in the city. The Chamber's progressive leadership approach on such issues as improved transportation infrastructure and a school bond issue has had a positive impact on the quality of life in Biloxi. The Chamber also is deeply involved in the development of new small businesses in the city.
Biloxi Chamber—What We Do
The Biloxi Chamber of Commerce works to expand existing and new business in Biloxi and the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast. We accomplish this with the help of local business leaders who volunteer their time to an extensive program of work. Our MISSION STATEMENT reads:The Biloxi Chamber of Commerce is the strong, unified voice of business, organized to ensure Biloxi will fully realize its potential as the economic and cultural center of South Mississippi.
The Biloxi Chamber is dedicated to:
- Coordination of efforts to maintain and strengthen a sound business climate.
- Implementation of aggressive programs, policies, projects, and services which provide for the full development of our human and economic resources.
- Providing creative business leadership and effective coordination in constructive community action, and
- Promoting an appreciation of the advantages and assets of our region.
Program of Work
Biloxi Chamber hosts events and programs that support its Chamber member businesses and Biloxi community in the areas of Community & Economic Development, Education & Workforce Development, Military & Public Affairs, and Small Business Development.Breakfast with the Mayor
This bi-monthly event is held at various locations throughout Biloxi. Approximately 100 business and community leaders attend this event each month, where Mayor Holloway speaks on behalf of the City of Biloxi.Morning Call
Junior Leadership Biloxi
Military
Workforce Development
Education
Uncorked
Office of the Quarter Awards
Biloxi Seafood Festival
Biloxi Seafood Festival is a very important part of what makes Biloxi a diverse and unique community as we highlight our rich history and seafood industry. Held at the Biloxi Town Green, Biloxi Seafood Festival is a celebration of family, community and seafood heritage in the City of Biloxi. It is the event of the year that you do not want to miss!
Sponsorships & Partnerships
Biloxi Chamber Leadership
2008 Biloxi Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Rich WestfallPresident
Isle of Capri Casino Resort
Ryan Giles
Past President
AGJ Systems & Networks, Inc.
Angie Juzang
President-Elect
WLOX
Bruce Marie
Vice President, Communications & Marketing
Coast Electric Power Association
Emily Burke
Vice President, Education & Workforce Development
Biloxi Regional Medical Center
Vicky Gutierrez
Vice President, Military & Public Affairs
Dr. Peter Norowski
Giff Ormes
Vice President, Economic & Business Development
Mississippi Power Company
Butch Simpson
Vice President, Small Business Development
Negrotto’s Gallery & Custom Framing
Laurie Cox
Vice President, Membership Development
First Bank & Trust of Mississippi
Rachael Seymour
Director
Biloxi Chamber of Commerce
Board Members
Sam Burke
Boys & Girls Club of the Gulf Coast
Melinda Claytor
BancorpSouth
Walt Denton
Denton Advertising
Fran Gates
Grand Casino Biloxi
Maj. Chad Gibson
Liaison
403rd Wing
Deana Kuntz
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Wayne Kuntz
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Patrick Lyons
The Peoples Bank
Kay Miller
Liaison
Main Street Biloxi
Dr. Debbie Nastasi
Lighthouse Behavioral Health
Rodney Nourse
Attorney
Ron Peresich Jr.
Coast Young Professionals Liaison
Page, Mannino, Peresich & McDermott
Terry Powell
Edgewater Mall
TStg. James Prichett
Liaison
403rd Wing
Lynn Rush
IP Casino Resort & Spa
Romy Simpson
Negrotto’s Gallery & Custom Framing
Jerry Taranto
Liaison
81st TRW
Contact Biloxi Chamber of Commerce:
11975E Seaway RoadGulfport, MS 39503
Phone 228.604.0014
Fax 228.604.0105
biloxichamber@mscoastchamber.com
www.mscoastchamber.com
