Celebrating Excellence
- story by Ellis Anderson
The county’s biggest business event of the year, the annual Hancock Salute to Business and Industry Awards Gala, takes place on Thursday, August 24th this year.
​Held in the enormous Hollywood Casino grand ballroom, almost 500 businesspeople community leaders gather each year to celebrate the achievements of local citizens and businesses. The event, produced by the Hancock Chamber and is always a sell-out - for good reason. It eschews the traditional speeches over dinner formula and the evening’s production is more entertaining than boring. After the opening cocktail party, the gala launches into a seamless scripted timeline - and nary a speech will be heard. |
Talk of the Town
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The gala’s been called the local version of the academy awards, because of this suspenseful finale. But a few behind the scenes changes makes the announcement even more meaningful.
Beginning in 2016, the individual business winners (Bay St. Louis, Diamondhead, Waveland and Hancock County/Kiln), as well as the Citizen of the Year, are chosen by polling members of the Hancock Chamber. Organizers say that since the winners are selected by votes instead of a committee, it reflects the will of the membership.
Individual tickets to the event are $75 and tables are available with event sponsorships. They can be purchased online.
- Cuz’s Old Town Oyster Bar & Grill, Bay St. Louis
- Beacon Theatres, Waveland
- Memorial Physician Clinics & Diagnostic Center, Diamondhead
- INFINITY Science Center, Hancock County/Kiln
- Raymunda Barnes
- David Bassett
- Elise Deano
- Susan Duffy
- Craig Foster
- Madella and Blu Jordan
- Paul Montjoy
- Christina Richardson
- Susan Stevens
- Chuck Underwood