While Chamber staff is finalizing preparations for our Annual Banquet on Thursday, February 2nd, we're also advancing our agenda of collaboration, partnership and building community. As we continue our outreach in an effort to solidify our relationship with the Lake Charles region, Rob attended the Chamber Southwest banquet in Lake Charles. A formal signing of a collaborative agreement is set for February 24th in Crowley.
Rob also presided over the Annual Leadership Lafayette Social and Annual Meeting on Wednesday, January 25th. The highlight of the Silver Anniversary celebration was the introduction of Class XXV and the presentation of the inaugural distinguished alumna award to Senator Mike Michot, Class V.
Education dominated the Chamber week of January 23rd.
Chamber leadership joined other community leaders for a dinner with the new state superintendent of education, John White. He shared with us what will be his role in pressing forward Governor Jindal's education plan. Chamber Education Division leadership met to identify its role in the effort. The group set an aggressive meeting schedule focused on informing division membership about issues that will be the focus of the Louisiana Legislative Session which begins in March.
Chamber staffs also participated in the Lafayette Education Foundation Teacher Awards Night and also helped to facilitate a retreat for the Lafayette Public Education Stakeholders Council, LaPESC; an influential community player in the naming of the new schools superintendent, Dr. Pat Cooper. The Chamber is a charter member of LaPESC.
The Public Policy Division met and confirmed a re-formatted Chamber Public Policy Position Document which will guide us in addressing bills in the upcoming legislative session.
A special task force on developing an agenda for our Building Community Conference wrapped up its work with a program of events that begin on Wednesday evening, March 21st and concludes Friday morning, March 23rd. BCC is in Lake Charles at L'auberge du Lac.
Speaking of L'auberge, the Chamber was well represented at the annual convention of the Louisiana Chapter of the American Planning Association in Lake Charles. A number of our members are serving on the Comprehensive Plan Citizens Advisory Committee to work with Lafayette Parish President, Joey Durel on the program of work which begins in February.
Finally, here some items of interest:
SBA Advocacy State Profile for Louisiana media release
Canstruction Team Interest Meeting
Academy of Interactive Entertainment Hosts Global Game Jam
