Purpose: To continue to build relationships among the SERPPAS Principals, to engage them on partnership activities and progress on the various focus areas in the SERPPAS Strategic Plan and to inspire continued advancement of the SERPPAS mission in the region.  

Meeting Logistics

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Meeting & Lodging Location

Courtyard Gulfport Beachfront 
1600 E Beach Blvd.
Gulfport, MS 39501
228-864-4310

A block of rooms is being held at the Courtyard Gulfport Beachfront for the federal per diem rate ($107/night) on the nights of Monday, May 6^th, Tuesday, May 7^th, and Wednesday, May 8^th.  Please use the following link to book your room by Tuesday, April 16, 2024: Book your group rate for 2024 SERPPAS Principals Meeting

After April 16^th, the rooms will be released so be sure to make your reservation prior to that date. You can also call the hotel directly at 1-228-864-4310 and reference Group Code: SPM to book within the room block.

**Important Reservation Cancellation Information: Room reservations can only be cancelled without penalty 14 days prior to arrival, April 23^rd or earlier.  If you need to cancel your reservation within those 14 days, please reach out directly to Hannah Sodolak (hannah.sodolak@ag.tamu.edu) so that she can work with the hotel to cancel your reservation.

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Evening Event Locations

Welcome Reception (May 7^th)
Chandeleur Island Brewing Company
2711 14th St
Gulfport, MS 39501

Dinner (May 8^th)
Mississippi Aquarium
2100 E Beach Blvd
Gulfport, MS 39501
(walking distance from hotel)

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Principal Attendance Tracking

Please use the following spreadsheet to confirm the Principal who is attending the meeting for your agency. All Principals will be expected to make their own hotel reservations and register for the meeting; this spreadsheet is to help us track specific Principal attendance.  Please complete this form by April 16^th.

• Principals Tracking Spreadsheet: https://bit.ly/42KyLOZ

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Meeting Schedule and Dress Code

The dress code for the Tuesday welcome reception is casual. The dress code for the Wednesday evening dinner event is Business Casual. The dress code for the Thursday business meeting is Business Professional (or equivalent military attire).

The dress code for the Wednesday mobile meeting is field tour appropriate. Attire should include shoes appropriate for walking across multiple surfaces (e.g., bus steps, uneven outdoor terrain, etc.).  The visit to the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge will include a ¾ mile outdoor hike on a relatively flat trail.  Please bring any items you may need for an outdoor hike (e.g. hat, sunscreen, bug spray, water bottle, etc.). If you do not bring a reusable water bottle, the Mississippi State University SWAPS (Sustainability with Awareness and Prevention Solutions) Program will be providing compostable water bottles along with coolers of water.  If you have any accessibility concerns, please indicate those on the registration form or contact Addie Thornton (addie.thornton@ag.tamu.edu).

The meeting schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, May 7^th, 5:00pm – 7:00pm
     - Welcome Reception at Chandeleur Island Brewing Company (2711 14th St, Gulfport, MS 39501)

Wednesday, May 8^th, 8:00am – 5:00pm
     - Breakfast begins at 7:00am in the Crystal Ballroom at the Courtyard Gulfport Beachfront
     - SERPPAS Principals Meeting officially begins in the Crystal Ballroom followed by a “mobile meeting” with Keesler AFB, the Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR, and local partners.
     - Transportation (by bus) is provided.

Wednesday, May 8^th, 6:00pm – 8:30pm 
     - SERPPAS Dinner at the Mississippi Aquarium (2100 E Beach Blvd, Gulfport, MS 39501, walking distance from the hotel)

Thursday, May 9^th, 8:00am – 1:00pm
     - Breakfast begins at 7:00am in the Crystal Ballroom at the Courtyard Gulfport Beachfront
     - SERPPAS Principals Meeting continues in the Crystal Ballroom

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Security/Access to Keesler AFB

As part of the registration process, you will be asked to provide your legal name, date of birth, and Driver’s License or Passport number along with the state or country it was issued in order to attend the mobile meeting on May 8^th.  Bring your government-issued identification with you AT ALL TIMES.  Failure to complete the registration process and provide the information requested by the registration deadline may result in being denied access to the base and attendance at the meeting.  You must register and provide this information by the deadline of April 23, 2024.

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Meeting Registration and Payment

Please register for the meeting at the following link: https://cvent.me/8XGD80

Registration is required by April 23, 2024, for access on Keesler AFB. If you have not completed the registration process and filled in all the required information, you may not be cleared to get on base for the mobile meeting.

You should receive a confirmation email after completing the registration process. If you need to change your reservation, there is a confirmation number and link in that confirmation email that will allow you to modify your registration. Please contact Gray Vickery (vickery_charles@bah.com) if you need further assistance with your registration. Refunds will be processed for anyone who cancels prior to the registration deadline of April 24th. After that deadline, refunds will be processed on a case-by-case basis.  

Below are the food and beverage options for each event. You will be provided food and beverage based on your registration choices and payment. If you did not opt-in to the food and beverage during the meeting days, you are expected to provide your own food and beverage.

Note for Federal Government Employees: The food and beverage fee cannot be claimed as a registration or conference attendance fee when you file your travel voucher. Your food and beverage expenses, whether you choose to pay the food and beverage fee or obtain your meals, snacks, and beverages on your own, are intended to be covered by your per diem allowance. You may need to use your personal credit card to complete payment for food and beverage choices.

Tuesday, May 7^th – Welcome Reception
Location: Chandeleur Island Brewing Company (2711 14th St, Gulfport, MS 39501)
For those that opt-in, there will be heavy hors d’oeuvres provided. A cash bar will be available to all attendees.
     - Registration options: Attend & Opt-in $26; Attend & Opt-Out $0 (food on own); Not attending

Wednesday, May 8^th – Breakfast and Lunch during Mobile Meeting
Location: Courtyard Gulfport Beachfront, Crystal Ballroom (Breakfast); McElroy’s Harbor House (Lunch)
Please select this option if you would like to participate in the breakfast and lunch option provided for the first day of the meeting. Please note, it is recommended to opt-in to this given the fact that lunch will be provided while out on the tour.  If you do not opt-in, you will not be provided breakfast or lunch on the tour. 
     - Registration options: Attend & Opt-in $33; Attend & Opt-Out $0 (food on own); Not attending

Wednesday, May 8^th – SERPPAS Dinner
Location: Mississippi Aquarium (2100 E Beach Blvd, Gulfport, MS 39501)
For those that opt-in, there will be a cash bar and dinner served, and the dress code is business casual. If you do not opt-in, we assume you are not attending.
     - Registration options: Attend & Opt-in $26; Not attending

Thursday, May 9^th – Breakfast, Refreshments, and Lunch during Meeting
Location: Courtyard Gulfport Beachfront, Crystal Ballroom (Breakfast and Lunch)
Please select this option if you would like to participate in the breakfast, refreshments, and lunch option provided for the second day of the meeting. If you do not opt-in, you will be expected to obtain your own food and beverages.
     - Registration options: Attend & Opt-in $33; Attend & Opt-Out $0 (food on own); Not attending

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COVID-19 Precautions & Recommendations

All attendees should take necessary precautions (vaccinations, masks, etc.) to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.  If you have any questions, please reach out to the SERPPAS Coordinator: Addie Thornton, addie.thornton@ag.tamu.edu, 267-987-6107.

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Nearby Airport

Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT) - https://www.flygpt.com/
14035 Airport Rd
Gulfport, MS 39503

• Approximately a 15 minute (6 mile) drive to the hotel.

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Carpooling

If you would like to carpool with other attendees, either from the Gulfport Airport or if you are driving in, please use this carpool link: https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/ht0825