“The business of America is business!” This often-repeated phrase was reported to be first said by President Calvin Coolidge in a January 1925 speech to newspaper editors. Coolidge or “Silent Cal” was president during a rapid expansion of the US economy known as the “Roaring Twenties,” just before the Great Depression and the hardship and suffering associated with our economy’s greatest collapse. While our country presently engages in dialogue about modern-day recession possibilities, Sales & Marketing Professionals (SMP) is proud to salute the men and women who comprise Mississippi business interests, sales, marketing and all things public relations with the first statewide edition of the Mississippi Pinnacle Awards. Come rain or come shine, these practitioners comprise the very backbone of Mississippi’s economy.
SMP salutes the achievements and talents of Magnolia State owners, directors, account executives, event planners, and community volunteers who are an integral part of our success. We have honored these individuals on a regional basis for a decade and now look forward to championing practitioners from throughout the state at the April 11 event at Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg. We will start with a 6 p.m. VIP reception and proceed to the 7 p.m. awards dinner.
Nominees prepare portfolios that are reviewed by an out-of-state panel of judges, who then narrow the competition to the finalists, and from those finalists, the committee chooses top honorees. During the pandemic, the group honored Mississippi’s musical ambassador, Vasti Jackson, as its last overall winner.
In addition to the Pinnacle winner, the overall individual winner will receive the Bud Kirkpatrick Award, named after the master public relations practitioner. The Charlie Holt Award, named for the national radio icon, will go to the top business. The Bernice Linton Award, named to honor the SMP past president, will be awarded to the most successful state event. The 2023 gala will also see us honor lifetime achievements by Mississippians and celebrate humanitarian efforts by Mississippi organizations.
With the help of a tourism grant from Visit Hattiesburg, we are planning an optional April 12 “Do the ‘Burg” addition. From experiencing Historic Downtown Hattiesburg to the new developments of Midtown to the great expansion “Out West,” this series of events will allow overnight visitors to experience all that the Hub City has to offer! For more information on the event, keep up with our plans at smppinebelt.wixsite.com/sales-and-marketing.
We are asking your support in making this first statewide version of the Mississippi Pinnacle Awards “Two Days to Remember!” The enclosed material will provide you with information on sponsorship opportunities. On behalf of SMP’s Board of Directors, I am asking your help in our efforts to provide scholarships and intern opportunities for the next generation of practitioners by sponsoring what has become a must-do “Burg-Built” event in this premier city of the Gulf South.
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM CDT
VIP Reception at 6:00 p.m.
Awards Dinner at 7:00 p.m.
Lake Terrace Convention Center
One Convention Center Plaza
Hattiesburg, MS