By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Aug. 26, 2003
Back by popular demand, free customer service seminars will be offered Sept. 9 at Kahlmus Auditorium on the Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus.
Two separate seminars will be held by Mike Thompson, a professor of marketing at Delta State University and a certified customer service trainer. The seminars last two hours each.
Doc Braswell, business specialist with MSU-Meridian, said about 600 people attended last year's seminar in November at Kahlmus Auditorium. This year he is hoping for twice that number.
The seminars, which are from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and 6 p.m.-8 p.m., focus on improving basic customer and co-worker relations.
Braswell, who was instrumental in bringing the seminar to Meridian last year, said good customer service is an important part of a region's overall economic development.
Wanda Grabert, executive director of the Meridian/Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau, said about 400 people already have registered for the upcoming seminars.
The seminar is sponsored by Downtown Merchants Association; East Mississippi Business Development Corp.; East Mississippi Development Corp. JumpStart Program; Main Street Meridian; Meridian Community College Webb Center; Meridian Lauderdale County Convention &Visitors Bureau; Meridian Restaurant Association; Mississippi State University Extension Services; Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus, Business Services; and the MSU Small Business Development Center.
Braswell said the Meridian Restaurant Association is one of the primary sponsors of the seminars this year.
Rick Beal, president of the local restaurant association chapter, said he wanted to sponsor the seminars to show restaurant association members, as well as the entire community, the importance of customer service.
To register for either of the seminars call the Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau at (601) 482-8001 by Sept. 8.