By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
April 23, 2002
The Hartley D. Peavey Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence and more than 130 exhibits are expected to highlight this year's edition of The Main Event.
Opening ceremonies for the East Mississippi Business Development Corp.'s annual business and industry exposition are set for 9:30 a.m. at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center.
Exhibits sponsored by businesses, industries, law enforcement agencies, government contractors and nonprofit groups will be open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., when the event closes.
EMBDC spokesperson Diane Huff said the event will feature many first-time exhibitors including Pacesetter Properties of Clarkdale, Lasrecycle of Meridian and The Service Company of Philadelphia and Meridian.
Lasrecycle, which is pronounced "laser-cycle," is a home-based business run by Albert Emerson and Brad Foley. The business, begun in 1994, remanufactures toner cartridges.
Christy Bennett, secretary and head of marketing for The Service Company, said her business thought The Main Event would be a good way to make people aware of what the company offers.
The Service Company originally did heating and air conditioning service and installation. The business has expanded into electrical and plumbing installation and service.
Bennett said she will be at the exhibit with information on the company's preventive maintenance program and a filtration system to improve air quality.
Displays reflecting the theme The Main Event, "A Salute to Patriots," will also be on hand including helicopters from Naval Air Station Meridian, a mobile command station from the Mississippi Air National Guard and a ladder truck from the Meridian Fire Department.
THE MAIN EVENT
Here is the schedule for the 14th Annual East Mississippi Business Development Corp.'s business and industry exposition, The Main Event. The event is Thursday at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center; admission is free.
9:30 a.m.: Opening ceremony, will include welcome from elected officials and presentation of the Hartley D. Peavey Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence.
10 a.m.: Exhibits open and center stage activities begin, including a performance by the Wesley Belles, drills by area high school ROTC cadets and a performance by Britt Gully as "Jimmie Rodgers."
11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Lunch, including sandwiches, hamburgers and hot dogs, prepared and sold by the Meridian Community College Hotel and Restaurant Management Program.
6:30 p.m.: Exhibit awards are presented for Best of Show, Best of Show-Small Business and Best of Show-Salute to Patriots.
5 p.m.-7 p.m.: "Business After Hours" begins, featuring music by CalledIsrael and light hors d' oeurves. Admission is free.