This year’s conference will include the Firefighters’ Combat Challenge. The Challenge will take place over two days, June 1st and 2nd, encompassing timed trials and various tasks such as team relay, tandem, and stair climbing. Firefighters with the best times will move on to the National Firefighters Combat Challenge. This free event is open to the public, so come out and support your local fire department. For additional information on this event, visit www.firefighterchallenge.com.

• June 1st, 5pm – 9pm (Individual competition)
• June 2nd, 9:30 am – 2pm (Relay and tenden competition)

“The Jackson Convention Complex is the perfect venue”, says Jackson Fire Chief, Raymond J. McNulty. “It will allow fire chiefs and firefighters to actually interact with all the vendors, view new fire trucks and firefighting equipment, and observe new technology available to make firefighter’s jobs safer and easier. All training and equipment will be showcased inside the JCC.” McNulty further stated that the 2013 Mid-Winter Fire Chiefs Conference will also be held at the Jackson Convention Complex.

“We are excited to host the 75th Annual Conference,” said Kelvin D. Moore, SMG’s general manager for the Jackson Convention Complex. “In addition to the economic impact the conference will generate for the community, the Firefighters’ Combat Challenge provides an opportunity for the community to come out and be part of the fun by cheering on their local fire department participants,” Moore added.

About The Jackson Convention Complex

Opened in 2009, the Jackson Convention Complex features 330,000 square feet of flexible exhibit, ballroom and meeting space and is located in the heart of downtown Jackson, Mississippi’s capital city and the heart of Southern hospitality. The Complex offers first-rate amenities, state of the art technologies, resort quality service and in-house catering. It is a LEED® Certified building, as established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The Jackson Convention Complex is owned by the Capital City Convention Center Commission and is managed by SMG. For more information, visit  www.jacksonconventioncomplex.com.

About SMG

Since 1977, SMG has provided management services to over 220 public assembly facilities including arenas, stadiums, theatres and performing arts centers, equestrian facilities, convention, congress and exhibition centers, science centers and a variety of other venues. Across the globe, SMG manages more than 12 million square feet (1.1 million square meters) of exhibition space and over 1.5 million arena and theatre seats. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming, construction and design consulting, and pre-opening services for such landmark facilities as the Louisiana Superdome and New Orleans Arena, Houston’s Reliant Park, the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, McCormick Place & Solider Field in Chicago and the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through an in house catering company, Savor…, currently servicing more than 100 accounts worldwide. For additional company information, visit  www.smgworld.com.

The Jackson Convention Complex welcomed over 3,000 guests on Tuesday, January 10, to the first ever Gubernatorial Inaugural Ball to ever be held at the Jackson Convention Complex.

There was barely elbow room at the Jackson Convention Complex as political leaders, friends, family and supporters celebrated the Inauguration of Mississippi’s 64th governor. Even before Governor Phil Bryant arrived with his wife Deborah the crowd began to swell.

The Inaugural Ball invitations said “black tie and boots optional” which fits well Mississippi’s 64th Governor, who is well known around the Capitol City for wearing cowboy boots with business suits. The inaugural theme was “Rising Together,” and here at the Jackson Convention Complex, we believe that theme was even more fitting considering our distinct privilege of hosting our first Inaugural Ball!

Patricia is responsible for booking all wedding related events, all family reunion events, as well as birthday and holiday events. She is also responsible for preparing all license agreements as well as assisting the Director of Sales & Marketing, Micah Allen, as needed.

Allen says, “She’s my right arm! Patricia’s pleasant disposition is seconded only by her proficiency! She is a complete joy to work with!”

“She is a team player and her willingness to learn and assist whenever possible makes Patricia a real asset to the JCC team!” Allen adds.

When she’s not working hard to make clients and guests happy at the Jackson Convention Complex, Patricia actively serves at her local church where she is currently the Vice President of the Greeters Ministry. Patricia has two children and two grandchildren. She also loves to dance and ride horses.

Congratulations Patricia on a well-deserved award. And thank you for your outstanding service here at the Jackson Convention Complex!

About Jackie

A native of Jackson, Jackie has had the opportunity to establish a diverse portfolio of work experience from Event & Facility Management to Business Development since completing her Master’s at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2004.

Jackie is a talented, results-producing professional with a proven record of accomplishment in planning and leading comprehensive event strategies in support of business goals and objectives.

In 2010, Jackie received a Certificate in Meeting & Special Event Planning from the University of South Florida, and she plans to apply to receive her Certification as a Certified Special Event Professional in the fall of 2012.

Before joining the JCC team, Jacqueline worked as the Chairman’s Guest Services Representative under the division of Premium Service, Season Ticket Services & Operations with the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center in Orlando, FL and as an Account Development Manager/Event Manager with the Walt Disney Company’s ESPN Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, FL.

Currently, Jacqueline is an active member of the VCU Sports Center Alumni Board, the National Association of Black Sports Professionals. Outside of professional interest, Jacqueline is a member of the National Council of Negro Women and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.  She enjoys volunteering with youth in the community teaching life skills and dance.

About Laura

Laura Reed-Orr was born and raised in New York, New York and later moved with her family to California. It was hard not to be interested in food at a young age. Greek, Scottish and Italian family members were all very good cooks… so life was sort of like an ongoing cooking lesson.

Laura studied theatre and fine art in college, and in the early 90’s in Los Angeles, Laura was hired by the Wolfgang Puck Co. to be a part of the opening launch team for two of his restaurants in California. Alongside her brother, who is a chef, and his business partner, she also co-created and produced a cooking show called The Food Guys, for the Food and Garden Network.

With an extensive background in fine dining and hotel Food and Beverage, Laura worked for The Ritz Carlton Company for over 6 years in a Five Diamond Hotel. Before coming to the Jackson Convention Complex, Laura was the Director of Catering at the Mississippi Museum of Art, winner of the IMLS award.

Laura relocated to Mississippi 5 years ago with her husband, David Orr, a film maker and native Mississippian. They produce files under his production company, Possumtown Pictures, and enjoy breathing the clean air of Mississippi with their daughter.

SMG general manager Kelvin Moore said the decision to renew the marketing partnership demonstrates a shared commitment to the continued growth of downtown Jackson.

“Trustmark was one of the original marketing partners for the Complex,” Moore said. “Their desire to continue our partnership is a prime example of their dedication to the redevelopment of downtown Jackson and continued growth of all of central Mississippi. We are thrilled to be able to extend this significant, collaborative relationship.”

“We are pleased to continue our partnership with the Jackson Convention Complex,” commented Jerry Host, CEO of Trustmark. “We believe this partnership reflects our continued commitment to support the communities we serve and, particularly, our support of Jackson, home to our headquarters for over 120 years. The Jackson Convention Complex is a wonderful facility that provides a valuable resource to a broad audience that will continue to have a significant economic impact on the city and our state.”

Through the Complex’s commercial rights marketing program, Trustmark will remain the Exclusive Bank of the Jackson Convention Complex, maintain naming rights for ballrooms and meeting space totaling more than 35,000-square-feet, and receive exposure on Complex marquee, internal video monitors, the Complex’s website and social media platforms.

The Jackson Convention Complex commercial rights marketing program is designed to provide local companies with an opportunity to gain targeted exposure to event attendees and downtown visitors.

About The Jackson Convention Complex
Opened in 2009, the Jackson Convention Complex features 330,000 square feet of flexible exhibit, ballroom and meeting space and is located in the heart of downtown Jackson … Mississippi’s capital city and the heart of Southern hospitality. The Complex offers first-rate amenities, state of the art technologies, resort quality service and in-house catering. It is a LEED® Certified building as established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The Jackson Convention Complex is owned by the Capital City Convention Center Commission and is managed by SMG.

For more information, visit www.jacksonconventioncomplex.com.

About Trustmark
Trustmark Corporation (NASDAQ: TRMK) is the parent of Trustmark National Bank and is a financial services company providing banking and financial solutions through over 150 banking offices in Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.

For additional information, visit Trustmark’s web site at www.trustmark.com.

About SMG
Since 1977, SMG has provided management services to over 220 public assembly facilities including arenas, stadiums, theatres and performing arts centers, equestrian facilities, convention, congress and exhibition centers, science centers and a variety of other venues. Across the globe, SMG manages more than 12 million square feet (1.1 million square meters) of exhibition space and over 1.5 million arena and theatre seats. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming, construction and design consulting, and pre-opening services for such landmark facilities as the Louisiana Superdome and New Orleans Arena, Houston’s Reliant Park, the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, McCormick Place & Solider Field in Chicago and the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through an in house catering company, Savor…, currently servicing more than 100 accounts worldwide.

For additional company information, visit www.smgworld.com.

My wife and I have only been in Jackson for a few months, but the welcome that we have received has been exceptional. In large part, it is that warm Southern hospitality and sense of community that led us to want to move back down South from Seattle. And it is that same sense of community that reinforces that decision every day.

As we wind down 2011 and look ahead to 2012, I wanted take a moment to express my thanks to the Jackson community for such a warm reception. I also wanted to share a few thoughts about the holidays and some exciting things we have planned for 2012 here at the Jackson Convention Complex.

One of my favorite Christmas memories takes me back to my home town of San Antonio, Texas many, many … many years ago. I was a kid, maybe 9 or 10 years old. And I remember one of the presents I received that year was a Dallas Cowboys football uniform, complete with helmet, shoulder pads, and jersey. Now I know this is “Who Dat!” country… but work with me, folks. Back in the 70′s in Texas, everything focused around the Cowboys.

It was about 6 o’clock in the morning, and I remember asking my mom if I could put on my uniform and go outside and play. She smiled and said yes, but only after I ate breakfast. So I put on my uniform, inhaled my grits and eggs, and bolted outside to play with my friends. We played football. We played kickball. We rode bikes. We played tag. We played Star Wars games (my next door neighbor, Raymond, got a Luke Skywalker set). We played all day long. I ate lunch in my uniform. I ate dinner in my uniform. And at the end of the day, I fell asleep in my uniform. That was good day!

Now we all know that kids tend to focus on the material things during the holidays. And despite not having very much, my parents always managed to find a way to provide my brothers, sisters and me with great gifts. But as I grew older I recognized that what I cherished most were the memories.

As I look back over the years, I recognize that I have been blessed with so many wonderful holiday memories … filled with family, friends, food and the spirit of giving to those in need. And more than the things … more than the food … it is those memories that I cherish most.

So as 2011 draws to a close, and we all look forward to taking a little time off, it is my wish for you that your holidays provide life long memories that you too will cherish forever. And if you can find it in your heart to do so, share your blessings and give to someone in need.

Looking ahead, I am excited about the future of your Jackson Convention Complex. Beginning in January we will issue our first Quarterly Newsletter in which we will bring you inside the Complex and lay out our vision and plans for the coming year. And you will receive regular communications to keep you in the loop on all things JCC. Stay tuned!

But until then, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Kelvin D. Moore, CMP
General Manager

For the past month, you’ve been sharing your favorite Katt Williams jokes with us. And now we’ve selected FIVE finalists. These FINALISTS will have a chance to win 2 premium tickets to see Katt Williams this Saturday!

And the winner is Katosha Lofton! Congratulations Katosha and enjoy the show!

Registration is closed, but… you can help us choose a winner! VOTE NOW!

View Contest Rules