City lands firefighters convention
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, June 15, 2004
[6/15/04]Nearly 400 firefighters and their chiefs will meet in Vicksburg next year for the state association’s 68th annual conference.
Larry Gawronski, executive director of the Vicksburg Convention Center, made the announcement Monday at the city board meeting. He said the decision to hold this conference here next year was made this past weekend at the association’s meeting in Gulfport.
The conference will be June 8-11 and based at the Convention Center.
“The success in landing this convention is directly attributed to the persistence and support of Vicksburg Fire Chief Keith Rogers and his deputy chiefs,” Gawronski said.
“This is a classic example of how everyone in Vicksburg can play the role of hometown hero in helping us land a convention,” he said.
Gawronski said the fire chief approached the Convention Center staff about the conference several months ago and asked for help in getting next year’s meeting in Vicksburg. Rogers praised the Convention Center staff for their efforts in landing the convention.
“I believe this will be a great economic impact on Vicksburg and we are very pleased to host the 68th conference,” Rogers said.
Gawronski said the conference will have an estimated $250,000 direct economic impact on the community with 150 fire chiefs, 190 firefighters, guests and vendors here for the four-day event.
In other matters the city board:
Adopted a resolution of intent to acquire property at 913 Washington St. for the proposed African-American Museum and Farmers’ Market.
Adopted a franchise agreement with Sheffield Carriage Company to operate horse-drawn carriages in the downtown area.
The city board will meet again at 10 a.m. Monday at City Hall Annex.