91st Annual Chamber Banquet

The community event of the year is the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet.  Help celebrate the successes of the past year and share our vision for the future. This event format is a sit-down dinner with an awards presentation and keynote speech. Join us as we pass the gavel and celebrate the companies and volunteers who partner with us to be the voice of business, create jobs, and help our members thrive.

In its 91st year, the banquet will feature one of Southeast' most influential leaders in Economic Development, Gray Swoope has served both the public and private sectors for more than three decades most recently as Florida’s Secretary of Commerce.  He has held leadership roles for a variety of organizations, as well as managed successful economic development entities.  His management style is described as focused and steadfast when it comes to solving problems and win ning competitive projects. Swoope is also known for building highly effective teams noted for their ability to devise and implement strategic plans, and to get results.  His expertise is international in scope, with a proven track record of successfully conducting business abroad.

Swoope served in Governor Rick Scott’s administration (2011-2015) as Florida’s Secretary of Commerce and President & CEO of its principal economic development organization, Enterprise Florida, Inc. Under his leadership, Enterprise Florida completed a record fiscal year in 2013-14, and increased competitive projects by 40%, resulting in 73% more new jobs and 95% more capital investment in the state than in 2011.

Mr. Swoope is also an expert in Economic Recovery having served as the Secretary of Commerce in Mississippi during Hurricane Katrina.