One of the highlights of our chapter’s meeting is the opportunity to meet and enjoy friends and colleagues. On the Coast there are many fun attractions and activities you can enjoy with your friends or family. We think the venue, the lively Mississippi Gulf Coast offers such a wide range of activities that you will want to spend a few extra days.

The sponsored local tours described in your packet highlight special attractions on the coast. They are offered on Thursday and Friday, October, 21 and 22 for meeting attendees but can be booked at other times at your convenience. For a relaxed time-out, cruise to Ship Island with family or friends for a picnic or just to enjoy the quiet scenic beauty of beaches and shoreline. Or to learn more about man’s amazing feats in space visit the NASA Stennis Space Center for interactive displays and shows on the state-of-the art space science.

There are other recommended activities for families. On the top of the list is a visit to the Marine Life Oceanarium to see the dolphins shows, sea lion skits and exotic birds. Visitors can touch, feed and play ball with dolphins!! (And you do not have to bring a child for admission.). The Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, one of the nations top 50 children’s museums has lots of hands-on discovery experiences and fun for children. If you crave a "reality" type experience, you can book a trip (1-2 hours) on a real shrimp boat at Biloxi Small Craft Harbor. Ride out to the shrimp waters and watch the shrimpers haul up their nets and help sort their catch if you dare.

For many of us, attending the Annual Southern Chapter Meeting is an opportunity to sight-see and relax away from pressures of work and family. Perhaps this is your year to indulge in a secret dream or luxury. Why not escape to the Bellissimo Spa & Salon at our convention hotel or check out the luxurious European Spa and Salon down the street at the Beau Rivage. The more active among us can choose to enjoy deep sea fishing, canoeing, kayaking or playing a round of golf at one of twenty public golf courses. Our convention hotel offers discounted green fees at their own outstanding course, the Grand Bear, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.

Not to be missed is a visit to The Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Ocean Springs and the Ohr O’Keefe Museum of Art in Biloxi. These special museums showcase the work of two extraordinary local artists.

There is 26 miles of scenic coastline to enjoy. Walk along the beach or sightsee by car. If you drive west from Biloxi on hwy 90 and then north on 49 to Gulfport, you can shop at Prime Outlets, a site with more than 80 factory shops. If instead you continue driving west along the shoreline on hwy 90 stop at Pass Christian, a community of lovely antebellum homes, unique specialty shops, a flea market and the  Raintree Center Aquatic Gardens, a nursery of aquatic garden ponds. New Orleans is only 60 miles west of Biloxi…. and so many of us .. will find it hard to resist a visit to the Big Easy for an extra few days.

At the many Gulf casinos nighttime activity is nonstop. Through October The Beau Rivage Resort and Casino is featuring The Red Dream, a renowned Russian circus and dance troupe in their hotel theatre. Tickets can be booked at 888-566-7469. At our convention hotel you can enjoy country rock music at the Wild Coyotes Bar over a late night drink. Our hotel, the Grand Casino also has a stage theatre on –site. Nearby, the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi is host to the Mississippi Sea Wolves Hockey Team and from time to time headlines international entertainers. For shows scheduled in October and to book tickets please check their web sites.

October is the perfect time to enjoy the last days of summer along the Mississippi Coast. Y’all come now!!