By John Howell Sr.
Mississippi Economic Council President and CEO Blake Wilson will speak at the Panola Partnership’s 18th annual meeting and dinner March 6.

Wilson came to the MEC in 1998 from Florida and is only the third executive in the 60-year history of the state’s chamber of commerce.

“Blake is an excellent speaker and is always in high demand,” Partnership CEO Sonny Simmons said. “We are very fortunate to have him as our special guest. He does an outstanding job leading the Mississippi Economic Council. His message will be informative and inspirational for all in attendance.”

The annual Partnership meeting and dinner also includes introduction of this year’s Panola County Miss Hospitality who will have been chosen from contestants Anna Katherine Baglan, representing the Batesville Jr. Auxiliary; Charla Shea Darby, representing the Batesville Civitan Club; Emily Hopper, representing the Batesville Woman’s Club; Mary Lynn Lewis, representing PanGens; Charley Ann Nix, representing the Batesville Jr. Woman’s League; Emily Sigler, representing the Batesville Garden Club and Kimberly Waller, representing the Sardis Historic Commission.

Contestants will have been selected during a weekend pageant.