Long Beach Chamber
Long Beach Chamber of Commerce is an affiliate of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, a membership organization comprised of businesses in Harrison County and throughout South Mississippi. Through a partnership among the Biloxi, Gulfport, Long Beach, and Pass Christian Chambers of Commerce, Coast Chamber promotes community and economic development on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. While working to help businesses in the Coastal region grow and prosper, Long Beach Chamber also focuses on the businesses within the Long Beach community.
City of Long BeachLong Beach has been called the "Friendly City" since its incorporation in 1905. Known for its excellent school system and low crime rate, Long Beach is a great place to live and raise children. Its close proximity to Gulfport and Biloxi makes entertainment options and business needs easily accessible.The Long Beach Industrial Park (LBIP) has been a mainstay in the local economy since the 1960s and has attracted high-tech manufacturers such as Bay Technical Associates and Triton. Long Beach is also home to the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Gulf Coast, a four-year university with a campus that overlooks the beach. Visit the City of Long Beach’s Web site at www.cityoflongbeachms.com Program of WorkLong Beach Chamber hosts events and programs that support its Chamber member businesses and Long Beach community in the areas of Community & Economic Development, Education & Workforce Development, Military & Public Affairs, and Small Business Development.Kite FestivalGreat fun in the sun! This kite festival is located on the beach in Long Beach with lots of activities for all ages. There are kite workshops for kids and adults, contests for competitive flyers, music, food, and much more. It is usually held the first Saturday in May.Long Beach Celebrates AutumnLong Beach gets into the autumn mood by decorating downtown businesses in late September and it continues until after Thanksgiving. Awards are given for the best decorations. It provides a very festive atmosphere for visitors and the local community.Christmas on the AvenueThe true spirit of Christmas! This is an all day event and a joint effort between Long Beach High School Choral group, the City of Long Beach, and the Long Beach Chamber. It is usually held the first Saturday in December and begins with the Choral Association setting up craft and food booths that stay throughout the day. Following this, the City of Long Beach Christmas tree lighting takes place and the Long Beach Chamber annual Christmas parade.Second CupThis 7:30 a.m. breakfast meeting provides a great opportunity to interact with other business professionals. It is open to chamber and potential members and is typically held the last Thursday of the month in January, March, May and September at various locations in Long Beach.ScholarshipsThe Long Beach Chamber awards two scholarships each May to graduates of Long Beach High School. One is the Mary and Gene Levens scholarship for $1000 in honor of Gene Levens and is funded by the Levens family. The other scholarship is the Joe Holloway Memorial scholarship for $1000.Long Beach CommunityMardi Gras ParadeCome party with us at the Long Beach Mardi Gras parade. It is an exciting event held each year—two Sundays prior to Fat Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. A really good viewing area is on Jeff Davis Avenue in the heart of Long Beach.Symphony Under the OakBring your picnic baskets, a blanket, or lounge chair and enjoy the music! The Gulf Coast Symphony hosts Sounds by the Sea, an annual Memorial Day weekend concert on the USM Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach. This wonderful open-air concert features patriotic selections and a powerful fireworks display. Over 4,000 visitors relax on the front lawn under majestic oaks overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.Cruisin' The Coast in Long BeachBilled as Americas largest block party Cruisin’ The Coast has become one of the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s most anticipated events. Long Beach is proud and honored to be the Cruisin’ Kick Off City and the site for the Cruisin’ The Coast “Car Corral” Thousands of classic and antique cars from America parade through the streets of town rolling to a stop at the Long Beach Harbor for a “Rockin’ At the Dock” party where participants and spectators dance the night away to hits of the 50s and 60s. Cruisin’ The Coast is always the week preceding Columbus Day.BeachesLong Beach is part of a 26-mile beautiful white sand beach area, perfect for getting a tan, relaxing, volleyball, or a beach party. It also includes a harbor and yacht club.Education OpportunitiesLong Beach School DistrictLong Beach can speak with pride about the quality education available to all students. They can be reached by calling 228-864-1146 or by going to the website at www.lbsd.k12.ms.us.The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf CoastInnovative and strong, The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast provides unparalleled university resources to the people of south Mississippi. Through its Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach and numerous teaching sites stretching across the three coastal counties of Mississippi, Southern Miss Gulf Coast is meeting the educational needs of this community.The Gulf Park Campus is a nonresidential campus, offering four-year bachelor's, master's, a specialist's and doctoral degrees. The 67-acre campus is located on Highway 90, fronting the Gulf of Mexico. When Hurricane Katrina damaged the campus in 2005, the operation was relocated to nearby Gulfport. In August 2007 many of the classes and services returned to the Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach. The Gulf Park Campus is home to the magnificent Friendship Oak tree, believed to be more than 500 years old. It is said, so the legend goes, that those who enter its shadow are supposed to remain friends through all their lifetime no matter where fate may take them. For more information, call 228.865.4500 or visit www.usm.edu/gulfcoast/. Long Beach Chamber Leadership2008 Long Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors2008 Executive CommitteeRob StinsonPresident Lookout 49 & Salute Italian Restaurant Debbie Spayde Past President The Peoples Bank Bob Dean Vice President, Military & Public Affairs Allstate Insurance Shelia White Vice President, Communications & Marketing University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Stacy Bullard Vice President, Membership Development Regions Bank Jason Lindholm Vice President, Small Business Development Edward Jones Investments Carolyn Anderson Vice President, Education & Workforce Development Long Beach Substance Abuse Task Force Frank Castiglia Vice President, Economic Development Mississippi Power Company Tommy Franklin Vice President, Events & Activities Riemann Family Funeral Homes Lucy Welch Retired Millie Olcott Director Long Beach Chamber of Commerce Board MembersRobert BassMississippi Institutions of Higher Learning University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Cathy Bergeron Whitney National Bank Shawn Montella BankHouse Coffee Dr. Joseph Rogers Rogers Chiropractic Pam Sanders Bacchus Wine & Liquor Rhonda Schultz Hancock Bank Contact Long Beach Chamber of Commerce:11975E Seaway RoadGulfport, MS 39503 Phone 228-604-0014 Fax 228-604-0105 longbeachchamber@mscoastchamber.com www.mscoastchamber.com |
