The momentum for the future development of Meridian was reset during Monday's annual meeting of the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation.

A celebration of the work of the community and the accomplishments achieved during the past year, the luncheon also laid the groundwork for the community's continued and future success – including providing a pep talk from from best-selling author and international professional speaker Kimberly Alyn as well as a sneak preview of the 88 Degrees: A Better Longitude on Life branding campaign.

"For us to be successful in economic development, we have to operate as a team," said Manny Mitchell, outgoing EMBDC chairman, to the capacity filled audience that included representatives of local businesses as well as community leaders, educators and government officials.

"We have to communicate ... we have to build trust and we have to work together – even if we don't want to," Mitchell said. "I think we are doing a much better job of that. I've seen cooperation in areas where before there was none. I've seen a lot better communication in areas where before there was none. But unfortunately, we still sometimes operate independently. And when we do it slows things down, and it makes it look unprofessional. But we're getting better; but we still have a long way to go."

Incoming Chairman Bud Thompson echoed Mitchell's comments adding, " ... I encourage each of us to be the community leaders that a growing and expanding region expects of us."

Alyn's presentation provided insight into leadership, noting that leadership is about choices and behavior.

"Which is why more great leaders are made than born," she said.

Alyn's discussion also included the key components of leadership, which is that real leaders: show integrity; put others first; communicate clearly; develop excellence of education; handle conflict constructively; create more leaders; take responsibility and hold themselves accountable; take input and include others; have a sense of humor; have a passion and purpose for what they do and show a love for people; and give people something to believe in.

Tony Pompelia, president of Leading Edges, sneak preview of the branding campaign included three proposed ad concepts that will target Meridian's location, healthcare, history, shopping, entertainment and transportation aspects. But Pompelia said in order for the campaign to work requires input from the community.

"This campaign highlights all the great things that this area provides to us, and it also gives us an opportunity to really appreciate where we live," he said. " ... What the people of a community say to outsiders about where they live is what they (outsiders) will believe as true.

"We have such great opportunities, culture and history here. But we've got to believe that and share it first," Pompelia said. "With this campaign, we hope to be able to provide 88 reasons why you want to live in Meridian and Lauderdale County, and take that to the city and county's Web sites, to billboards, ads and other media and publications."

The annual meeting also include the announcement of the Ambassador of the Year by Joyce Neal, chairman of the Ambassadors Committee.

"Volunteers are very important to the EMBDC, and the Ambassadors are especially important because of the many ways they assist the staff throughout the community – participating in ribbon cutting ceremonies, at events such as the Main Event Business and Industry Expo, the EMBDC Golf Classic, Business Before Hours and Business After Hours and other special programs and events. They also recruit new members for the EMBDC and perform many other invaluable services for the citizens of Meridian and Lauderdale County," Neal said.

Cindy Aucoin of Brown Printing Company was recognized as Ambassador of the Year for 2008. Also honored were Derron Ratcliff of the MSU Riley Center, second place; Carla Gable of BankPlus, third place; and Stacey Williams of New South Ford, honorable mention.