MEC Opportunities for Involvement & Networking
Three Major Statewide Events
MEC PowerPlay- April 12, 2018, 8:30am – 1:30pm
MEC’s largest meeting is held in mid-April at the Jackson Convention Complex in downtown Jackson. At more than 2000 attendees, this meeting brings together MEC members, elected officials, Mississippi Scholars and Mississippi Scholars Tech Master students, and STAR students and teachers. Expect to hear an address from the governor, a keynote speech from a nationally recognized speaker, and a short-set from a Mississippi-based musician or musical group. Informative, break-out panel sessions are held in the morning prior to the luncheon. Registration begins at 8:30 am and the program ends promptly at 1:00 pm.
Hobnob Mississippi – October 24, 2017, 8:30am – 1:30pm
Held at its new location-the Mississippi Coliseum, Hobnob Mississippi is a fun political rally-styled event that features Mississippi’s statewide elected officials and candidates for statewide office. Hobnob is held in late October or early November – usually less than a week before the general election. The event, which draws more than 1,500 leaders, features a morning of stump-styled political speaking, a special keynote address and entertainment. This is MEC’s most casual and exciting event of the year.
MEC Capital Day – January 4, 2018, 8:30am – 1:00pm
Generally held the first Thursday of the Legislative session, MEC Capital Day is an opportunity for members to gear up for the session and to meet with their legislators from home while at the Capitol. The morning starts with an opening program featuring key elected leaders, including the Governor. Attendees then ride (or walk) to the State Capitol for briefings from the Lt. Governor, the Speaker of the House and other key legislative leaders. The event, which draws more than 1,200 leaders, is capped off with a lavish buffet-style luncheon.
MEC members receive sponsorship opportunities and reduced pricing for individual registrations to the three major events.
Legislative Scramblers
These breakfast meetings are generally held on 5-6 Wednesday mornings during the Legislative session at the Mississippi Museum of Art. This early morning format gives attendees the opportunity to hear about hot-button topics from the elected officials most involved in the issues before they head into work for the day. Can’t make it to Jackson? MEC streams the sessions live so that members from across the state can hear about the topic without leaving their desk. Scheduled dates and topics are released at the beginning of the legislative session in January. Scramblers are free to attend, though we ask that attendees register prior to each event. Dial in phone services are also offered if you are unable to attend.
Road Show Tours
MEC hosts road show events in cities across the state in early September though February every year. Our programs are typically presented at regularly scheduled local Rotary or Chamber meetings. The purpose is to discuss our progress with Blueprint Mississippi and to gain valuable feedback from business leaders in those areas. That feedback is complied at the end of the tour and used to inform our recommendations to the state legislature in the upcoming session. Road show events are free to attend, though we ask that attendees register prior to each event for planning purposes. They include lunch or breakfast and last one hour. Road show tour dates will be announced in late summer 2017.